It's a new feature here on Red's Army: Your Morning Dump. Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying a good morning dump.
"They seemed more like rounds in an Ali-Frazier fight than games in an NBA postseason series, and that’s only entry-level hyperbole. The buzz, be it truth or short memory, was that it was the best ever first-round playoff series and among the best series altogether.
"...The stakes won’t be as high. The Bulls (minus Ben Gordon) and the Celtics (plus Rasheed Wallace) won’t be the same teams they were last April. But don’t be surprised if the atmosphere is similar"
Globe: Celtics vs. Bulls: Next in a Series
'It does and it don’t,' he said. 'You have two different ballclubs. Obviously they’re different without Ben Gordon, we have some new additions. KG’s healthy and he’s playing.
'I just feel it will have the same vibe from the playoffs, but not the exact same vibe. But the intensity will be high.' "
Herald: Bulls not just anOTher team
Ah, those nutty NBA schedule gods, who send the Bulls on Friday night onto the same famed
parquet floor where last season's white-hot, seven-game, first-round
playoff series unfolded.
"That's a day on the calendar I've been waiting for for a long time," Bulls center Joakim Noahsaid. "KG is back, a crazy atmosphere in Boston. And, obviously, they're playing very well."
Chicago Tribune: Bulls eager for rematch with Celtics
After the jump: Page 2 - More time for Rondo talks.
"With negotiations still open between the two sides, the Celtics and
Rajon Rondo will have more time to work out a deal than they had
originally planned.
The original Oct. 31 deadline to extend players in the fourth year of their rookie contracts was pushed back to Monday, according to league spokesman Tim Frank. Per the collective bargaining agreement, should the date of the deadline fall on a weekend or a holiday, then it would be moved to the next business day.
A memo from the league earlier in the week informed teams of the change."
The rest of the links:
Globe: A fistful of Bird history | Celtics thumbnails | Herald: Rose a thorn in Spurs side | NBA to investigate Donaghy book claims | Patriot Ledger: Shelden Williams a good fit with Celts | Chicago Daily Herald: Return to Boston should be interesting | The Wrap: NBA tips off to huge ratings | Celtics Blog: Pierce thriving without pressure | Celtics Hub: Should we fear the Bulls | Melo drops 41 in 3 point win over Portland
Southeast Division Blogger Previews:
Atlanta Hawks: Peachtree Hoops
Charlotte Bobcats: Rufus on Fire | QueenCityHoops
Miami Heat: Peninsula Is Mightier | SportsAgentBlog.com
Orlando Magic: Third Quarter Collapse
Washington Wizards: Bullets Forever | Hoops Addict | Truth About It
Bonus Links: See full schedule here