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.
But you need more than just one serendipitous moment to win a title in this league. You need to build a supporting cast that can get the job done, and you need to do it without breaking the bank.
The draft is the best way. And over the last seven years, you could argue that no one's drafted better than the Celtics' own Danny Ainge.
NESN: Ainge looks to build on excellent draft resume
Ainge has a great track record as a drafter, but he hasn’t added an impact player since Glen Davis in the second round of 2007 through the Ray Allen trade with Seattle. The Celtics didn’t have a first-rounder last year thanks to the Kevin Garnett trade and two years ago they missed badly when they tabbed J.R. Giddens with the 30th overall pick.
There have been first-round busts like Green, the high-flying high-schooler who never got comfortable in the NBA, and Giddens. But Ainge has found help in the second round with the likes of Davis, Powe and Gomes. Bill Walker, drafted in the second round in '08, displayed potential after being shipped to the Knicks in February.
Ainge gets high marks for all he has done in the draft since '03. This week would be the perfect time for him to keep that trend going with help needed in several areas and little free-agent options available.
MWDN: Ainge has solid draft history
No pressure Danny... Boston is just stinging from a crushing Finals loss and galvanizing itself around the thought that a set of younger legs would have prevented that 4th quarter collapse (never mind that a couple of minor in-game adjustments might have changed the result). And with that thought in mind, media outlets all over the place are not-so-subtly putting the onus on you to come up with the magic pill at pick number 19 tomorrow night.
But what should the Celtics go for at 19? A big man to help Kendrick Perkins (OF COURSE A BIG MAN, YOU MORON, LOOK AT HOW THE C'S GOT CRUSHED ON THE BOARDS!) or an athletic wing man (OF COURSE A WING, YOU MORON, LOOK AT HOW RAY AND PAUL STRUGGLED AT THE END. AND WHO WILL RUN WITH RONDO???)? It's a tough call.
So Danny Ainge... Mr. Draft Genius... the big, steaming turd that was put on a platter last Thursday night will sit at your desk THIS Thursday night. All we want here in Boston is a franchise player that 18 other teams completely whiffed on. Disregard the intense build up about how great you are which will lead to the inevitable impossible-to-achieve expectations... you're, like, the best drafter ever... so don't screw it up.
On Page 2, famous people thank the C's
"You are our 2010 World Champions" reads the ad, which was signed by television personality Maria Menounos, comedian Dane Cook, actor Eliza Dushku and musician/actor Donnie Wahlberg. Patriots Wes Welker and Vince Wilfork and Wilfork's wife, Bianca, also signed the ad, as did several others from the entertainment industry: -- Chris Evans, Michael and Michelle Chiklis, Chris Ivery, Ellen Pompeo, Keven Undergaro and Christopher Mintz-Plasse.
Globe: Celebrities honor Celtics with Globe ad
You know Christopher Mintz-Plasse as McLovin.
Nice gesture.
The rest of the links:
Herald: Future includes look at recent past | Globe: Game of clue about to begin | WEEI: Time for Doc to take a walk | Fox: Interview with John Havlicek | ESPN Boston: Draft Profiles: Solomon Alabi | Jordan Crawford | James Anderson | Hassan Whiteside | Eric Bledsoe | Damion James | Avery Bradley | Celtics Blog: Unfitting end for Paul Pierce | CSL: A Celtics fan in search of his soul | Celtics Town: A between-the-legs dunk over a 6'10" man