Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Steve Aschburner, NBA.com: Iguodala is a starter on any All-Bench team, so to speak. The reigning Sixth Man winner, Lou Williams, still merits a spot despite switching teams (Toronto to Lakers). Boston’s Isaiah Thomas finished second and seems a perfect instant-offense option to solidify his role.
Shaun Powell, NBA.com: …Still stunned that the Suns gave up on Thomas, who has a very team-friendly contract and gets buckets.
John Schuhmann, NBA.com: Point guard – Isaiah Thomas (the only above-average offensive player on the Celtics).
NBA.com – Blogtable: 2015-16 All-Bench Team
It’s always encouraging when national media say good things about the Celtics franchise and its players. We enjoy the affirmation of having the 4th best young core in the NBA. We dismiss the critics who say Danny Ainge has failed miserably this summer. (Hey pal, even if the latter was true, you can’t say it – only we can say it.)
In that spirit, let’s enjoy the panel of NBA writers who selected Isaiah Thomas as one of the best non-starters in the league. IT, who finished second in last season’s Sixth Man of the Year balloting, was chosen for the mythical “All-Bench Team” by four of the seven roundtable members. Those who skipped over the little lefty did so mostly because they slotted Iguodala as a guard, which is not his primary position.
This roundtable discussion assumed that Thomas will continue to come off the bench for Boston during the 2015-16 season. IT has at times stated he’d like to be a starter, but even he would probably admit he’s at his most dynamic in the sixth-man role.
4) Jordan Mickey (Boston). He looked like a potential great second-round pick (33) by the Celtics. Mickey averaged 13.8 points per game on 52.9 percent shooting, plus pulled down 9.6 rebounds a game. Defensively he was a strong rim protector, averaging 2.6 blocks per game. Mickey just signed a four-year deal (the first two years guaranteed) with the Celtics, which is a fantastic deal for Boston, Mickey could develop into a reliable rotation player for them up front.
NBCSports.com – Five unexpected impressive players from Las Vegas Summer League
They were fair questions to ask: What is Danny gonna do with all those second-round picks? Are they worth anything? Why are we getting so many of them instead of first-rounders?
We got an inkling during the NBA Finals, when Draymond Green (2012’s 5th pick in the second round, 35th overall) played a major role I taking down the Cavs. Regardless of draft position, the right player in the right situation can prosper.
So while we watched the Summer League and grew to appreciate the Celtics’ rookies and young guys, Jordan Mickey looked like the proverbial steal. As noted above, his stats were impressive and so was his game.
Keeping with our mantra, we admit it was only Summer League — but at the same time, players can only perform against the competition that’s in front of them. If a second-rounder is going to someday make an impact in the real NBA, he first has to be a summer all-star. Anything less and the dream is probably over. With his summer performance, Mickey proved he has the potential to be a contributor. It’s a positive sign that others also believe it.
On Page 2: Paul Pierce and destiny
Pierce will always be linked to Boston, as he was reminded during a recent meeting with Celtics president Danny Ainge. “I ran into Danny a couple days ago and he said, `When you’re ready, we have a spot for you,”’ says Pierce. “I think he was meaning as a player, but maybe it was in the front office …”
As Pierce looks ahead to his next career, he rules out no possibility — including the idea of working as a basketball executive for Rivers and the Clippers eventually.
“I could see that,” says Pierce. “I could see that because Doc respects my basketball mind. Just because you play for one franchise doesn’t mean you’re going to be working for them. Danny Ainge is one of the fortunate ones: Look at all the great players who have been in that [Celtics] organization who are working for other organizations — look at Larry Bird, Kevin McHale. It could be Paul Pierce as a Boston guy working for the Clippers.”
He will always be grateful to the Celtics for ingraining him with their championship values. He is also grateful that he didn’t play for the Lakers, because he wonders whether he could have prospered as a young millionaire in his hometown.
“You’ve got to know yourself,” he says. “I know how difficult it would have been for me, being from here — a young immature kid playing at home. I wouldn’t want that. That would be a whole other monster, with all of the distractions and that. Things happen for a reason. This is all destiny, I believe.”
NBA.com – Pierce hopes to be Clippers’ missing piece to a title
It looks like The Captain and The Truth won’t ever come back to Boston as a player. While many Celtics fans have hoped to see him again in green, Pierce said this week that he views the Clippers as the last stop of his playing career.
His comments in the article above leave the door open for a front office job, although that also might not be in Beantown. Pierce knows his NBA history, and he’s a realist. While he’s beloved in Boston, and probably always will be, Pierce has demonstrated by signing in Washington and L.A. that he’s open to new places and new challenges. Also, he’s chasing one more ring, which he won’t find here.
Paul’s remarks about being grateful that he didn’t play for the Lakers are insightful and intriguing. He used the term “destiny” to describe his career, and certainly it worked out for him that that he played for the Celts. What’s amazing is that his destiny was nearly tragic. Pierce almost died in 2000 after being attacked in a Boston nightclub and stabbed 11 times. Everything he’s accomplished might never have happened.
They say that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Thankfully, Paul Pierce is living proof. Here’s hoping he hoists one more trophy and then joins Danny on Causeway Street.
And, Finally:
NBA says 2015-16 NBA LeaguePass is available Sept 8. US pricing: League Pass $199.99, Team Pass $119.99, Single Game $6.99.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 22, 2015
Related: ESPN – NBA to offer single-game pay-per-view telecasts for $6.99
Mark your calendar to order LP, which is priced same as last season for the full package. New wrinkles are the one-team pass for fans living outside their favorite squad’s home market, and the single-game option, for non-subscribers who want to catch a specific game that’s not already being televised nationally. This is U.S. pricing; no word yet on international.
The Rest of the Links:
ESPN Boston – Why Thornton is headed Down Under
Globe – Ten things learned from one crazy Celtics summer
MassLive – Levi Randolph added to training camp roster, according to reports
CSNNE – Rozier: ‘You learn so much’ in Summer League
Sports Illustrated – NBA increases number of camp cuts that teams can send to D-League | Bill Simmons heads to HBO to host weekly television show | Adam Silver: NBA may not guarantee playoff berth for division winners
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