Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
“On the plane ride up here, we were looking at the standings, and the team’s right here,” Wright said. “It’s still goals that are obtainable, playoffs are reachable, and we just want to come in here and do the best that we can and do what we do best — play hard — and hopefully push a little bit in those standings.”
They have embraced the challenge of being snatched from a team with title hopes to one simply trying to make the playoffs.
“I feel like we have a chance to make a push in the Eastern Conference to make the playoffs,” Crowder said. “And that’s our goal . . . We’re going to influence those guys to keep fighting each and every day and getting better as a unit and see what happens.
“We were in the airport taking a lot of pictures, meeting a lot of fans. So the town was excited. I know Boston lost one heck of a player, but we feel like we’ve come over here to prove a lot and we know we can play some basketball, so we’re excited.”
Stevens will try to ensure the new pieces slide into place smoothly.
“I think all three of them have roles on this team,” Stevens said. “I think we’ll determine the extent of those as I get my arms wrapped around everything more.”
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Learning on the fly shouldn’t be an issue, Crowder said, considering the Mavericks’ system.
“Over in Dallas, we had an NFL playbook,” Crowder joked. “So we’ll be ready.”
They had a small practice session planned once they arrived in Miami on Saturday.
“It’s going to be a challenge,” Nelson said. “It’s not going to be easy. These three guys right here, we wouldn’t want it any other way, anyway.”
Boston Globe – New Celtics trio ready for the challenge
I’m not sure if Brad Stevens has an “NFL playbook” for his players here, but my guess would be no. It must be tough for the new guys. Tough to adjust on the fly to a new team, new city, new conference. It must be especially tough to go from being on a legit contender out west where every night seems like a playoff game to coming to Boston where they are scraping at the bottom of the eastern playoff cellar. Sure, they will have plenty of home games where the fans will show up, be loud, and root them on. But man, that is not fun going to a rebuilding team.
That’s what the C’s are, again, and how all these new guys fit into the big picture is a bit fuzzy. When you’re more excited about the picks and Trade Exception, it speaks a lot about the players you got in return. Brendan Wright could be a nice role player (he is a prime example of how one can go a bit crazy with advanced stats). Jae Crowder… I mean, sure. And Jameer Nelson… well he was good about 5 years ago.
These guys are all likely not going to be here when Ainge finally puts a relevant team on the floor, whenever that is. Wright might be here, but for now, like most players on the team, they’re all holdovers to be temporarily evaluated on until we see the next contending version of the Celtics. For now, let’s see what each of them can do.
On Page 2, Doc knows the conflict that Rondo struggled with
Rivers talked to Rondo two weeks ago, and sensed the conflict.
“I know for a fact that Rondo was torn,” said Rivers. “When we talked he was completely torn. He wanted to be a Celtic for life. But he didn’t see any more titles coming if he stayed. He’s very happy now to go to a great situation. But at the time we talked, he didn’t know what he wanted.
“It was just a tough, tough call.”
As Rivers, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Kendrick Perkins have discovered, you can indeed come back. Rondo returns to the Garden with Dallas on Jan. 2, and if the day is anything like what the others have experienced, Rondo will be reminded why part of him wanted to stay.
He witnessed the emotional tributes for Rivers, Pierce, Garnett and Perkins. But it goes back further than the tributes. The emotional ties were formed by moments like Game 6 of the 2012 Eastern Conference finals.
LeBron James had just put the game out of reach with a 45-point performance, tied the series at 3-3, and sent it back to Miami for a deadly conclusion. But fans stood and applauded as the Celtics filed off the floor following the 98-79 blowout loss.
According to Rivers, this is the kind of moment that ties Rondo to Boston.
“That day is my most important memory other than the title,” said Rivers. “I tell people about that all the time. I know there is not another city in this league where that would happen. They just get it there.
“Everyone who has left knows that you can make a case for why it was so special basketball-wise, but it’s the intangibles like that day that get you. I guarantee you that’s what Rondo is thinking about now.”
Boston Herald – Rivers’ edge like Rondo’s
Doc understands. For someone that supposedly hated life because Rondo existed within it, Doc does a good job outlining the conflict Rondo struggled with. He said many of the same things Perk said. He also said many of the same things Celtics fans have said. These are also the same things that Paul Pierce said… back in 2007. Remember, Pierce was also 28 and tired of rebuilding and was close to being traded. Now, Rondo is not Pierce, but if Ainge was able to acquire Kevin Love and/or other established star players, Rondo would still be here. This time around it just wasn’t going to happen. In the end, it’s likely what’s best for everyone given the situations. 2008 is long gone… hell, at this point even that final last gasp in 2012 seems like ages ago.
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston – Merry Mavericks: Newcomers ready to help | Prices up on Celtics vs. Mavs
Boston Globe – Celtics, Mavericks get what they want out of Rajon Rondo deal (Sunday Notes)
Boston Herald – Stevens back in his comfort zone | Ainge lauds old ally (Sunday Notes)
CSNNE – Ainge should think hard about trading Jeff Green | All indications are Rondo will sign with Mavs | Wright looks to pick up where he left off in Dallas | Mavs insisted on getting Powell in Rondo trade, too
MassLive – After Rajon Rondo trade, what’s next?
SB Nation – The Celtics have a war chest of first-roud draft picks
