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.
“I’m more worried about our timing. I’m not worried about Paul as far as health. (Trainer Ed Lacerte) and the doctors know best, and they wouldn’t let him go out there if he wasn’t right. I’m more concerned that him and Rondo haven’t practiced in five days - Paul even longer - and then go play a team that played pretty well (Monday) night. But they have to be out on the floor at some point, and if they both can play, they’re going to play.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we play the game sloppy.”
“I’m not feeling any pressure or pain when I push off on it, but like I say, it wasn’t ligament damage, just a matter of the swelling going down and it went down to where I can bend it a lot and have a lot more flexibility than I’ve had the past few days.
“Over the next week or two I’ll get that [timing] back. Thank goodness, I haven’t been out too long, so not too much has went away.
“I talked to doctors, and they said the only side effects are swelling. Infection is gone, so just continue treatment, see how it feels, and go from there.
Globe: Availability now Celtics toughest foe
I have zero concern about Pierce getting his timing back. Players of Pierce's caliber don't lose their timing that quickly.
As for the other injuries: KG is obviously still out. Rondo will probably play but that's not 100% definite. Perk has food poisoning but he traveled with the team so he seems like a game time decision. Eddie House did not travel with the team because he has the flu... but he might join the team later in the trip if he's feeling better.
Coming up, Page 2.... Where Shelden Williams explains the art of rebounding
Video courtesy ESPN's Chris Forsberg
“[When you go in for the rebound] depends on where the shot’s been taken from. You kind of play percentages. If the ball’s on the other end of the court and I’m on the opposite block, more often than not it’s going to come off the opposite of that block. Also you’ve got to take into account the guy who’s shooting it. Has he been missing his shot? Does he tend to be short a lot of the time? Whatever the case may be, you try to think about that as well.”
Jess Camerato: Inside the Game: Shelden Williams and the art of rebounding
I think the way Williams understands the game, I think he'll end up being a coach some day. He's so soft-spoken that I really don't know if he's head coach material or not... but he can certainly be an assistant or big man coach and play a Clifford Ray type of role on some team. I don't know if he'll be as good as Cliff... but he's smart enough to give it a shot.
The rest of the links
Herald: Perk sick, House home with flu | Globe: Heat thumbnails | WEEI: Now the Celtics have a real need for Sheed | Souza: C's lineup up in the air tonight | CelticsBlog: Nope, its still not time to trade Ray Allen | Celtics Hub: It's that time of year: Three trade deadline scenarios | Hardwood Houdini: Odds of seeing Perk vs. Jermaine O'Neal | A look ahead to the Boston Celtics January | North Station: Sheed is the "Big Ticket" to the Celtics success in 2010
