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.
Ray Allen had 25 points and was on fire from 3-point range. Glen Davis stepped in for the suspended Kevin Garnett and had 23 points and eight rebounds.
But if you ask Doc Rivers about the identity of the best player in Tuesday’s 106-77 win over the Heat in Game 2, the Celtics [team stats] coach would point to Kendrick Perkins [stats].
Perkins filled the stat sheet, with 13 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks. But his impact couldn’t be reflected solely in the box score.
“I thought his passing is what got everybody shots,” Rivers said of Perkins after yesterday’s practice. “I thought most of (Big) Baby’s layups came off of a Perk pass, a couple of the Ray shots . . . He played a great floor game. He was our point-center (Tuesday). He was terrific.”
Rivers again credited Perkins with finding Michael Finley for an open 3-pointer early in the second quarter. Finley’s shot began a critical 21-0 Celtics run that was highlighted by sharp ball movement.“
Doc kept saying we just had to keep making the extra pass,” Perkins said. “Baby was open a lot on the duck-ins, so I kept hitting him. If he wasn’t open, then the guards from (3-point range) were open.
“The thing about the Heat is they’re a great help team, but I don’t think they make the second effort to help. They’re going to help on the first pass, but it’s the next pass that the guy is going to be open.”
When Perk is playing well, you can usually forget it if you're the other team.
You know, we keep talking about what a few extra days of rest helps the older players on the team... but we haven't really gotten into how much the 2 days off will help Perk and his knee. The best thing for tendinitis is rest. A couple of days off before playing in a game could be a big help to Perk.
Miami doesn't have much it can throw at Perkins. If he takes advantage of his matchup, forces double teams, and finds open guys out of that... then Miami won't be coming back to Boston until the winter.
On Page 2: What drives Ray Allen
The young ballplayer made his way over the to gym with his father and brother, the same trip they had taken every weekend for nearly a year. They arrived before 10 a.m. to secure a spot on the sign-up sheet. It was ideal to face the first two or three teams — guys got tired out by the sixth or seventh game — and this was the best pick up basketball around.
At 6-foot-1, the youngster looked physically ready to compete. But at only 12 years old, he was a year shy of the age limit. The staff had previously let him in under his father’s guidance. But on this particular day, there was a new person on the duty who wasn’t budging. In spite of the fact that his father and several other men in the gym argued for his admittance, he was denied access.
It was the first time Ray Allen was told he couldn’t play basketball — and, as he sat outside on the curb waiting in frustration for the games to end, he promised himself it would be the last.
“I always remember that, people trying to keep me out of the gym,” Allen said. “That made me want to fight to be in the gym because I knew, even at that age, people believed in me. They wanted me to play and wanted me to be good.”
Jess Camerato/WEEI: Ray Allen won't be denied
That's just the beginning of Jess Camerato's story about Ray Allen and what drives him. The story of being denied as a 12 year old drives him today as he approaches life as a 35 year old free agent.
Worth checking out.
The rest of the links:
Herald: Glen Davis needs to keep focus | KG anticipating rude reception | Wade says its time for Beasley to produce | SVG: Playoffs should have fewer days off | Globe: With Allen, C's have outside shot | Taking show on road | League favors big defenders | ESPN Boston: Road Kill? | KG expects heat from Miami fans | Davis loves a stage | Souza/MWDN: Defense not resting | WEEI: C's expect hostile environment | KG on being villain: I could care less | Celtics Blog: The truth about 'good Tony' | Celtics Hub: Doc's play of game 2 | North Station: Booo TNT sports! Booooo