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.
• The 24 assists represent the second-highest single-game total in Celtics history. The record belongs to Bob Cousy (28 against the Minneapolis Lakers on Febuary 27, 1959).
• Rondo is the second player to dish out 24 assists against the New York Knicks. The other was Guy Rodgers on December 21, 1966. The only player to ever drop more dimes against the Knicks was John Stockton (27 on Dec. 19, 1989).
• So we've established that 24 assists is a lot under any circumstances. How about 24 assists in a triple-double? According to our friends at Elias, only one other player in NBA history ever had at least 24 assists in a triple-double. On February 7, 1985, Isiah Thomas also had 24 assists in a triple-double in a 2-OT game against the Washington Bullets.
• Lest we forget, Rondo put up 17 and nine assists in the first two games of the season, respectively. Elias tells us that his total of 50 assists through the first three games of the season ties John Stockton's NBA record.
As if watching Rondo dissect the Knicks wasn't sweet enough, now we get some historical perspective to his stat line. Simply amazing.
We've already established Rondo as high risk/high reward. But the turnovers remain troublesome. Rondo (and the rest of the team) was flat-out awful in the first half of the first quarter. If/when he gets the turnovers under control, the Celtics will be blowing out teams like the Knicks, not leading by 3 with :30 seconds left.
I must give credit to KG (24 points, 10 rebounds) and Paul Pierce (25 points, 14 rebounds). Doc called them out after the Cleveland game and they responded. The Celtics rebounding woes will disappear forever, if Pierce hits the boards like he did last night.
On Page 2, the injuries are mounting for the O'Neal boys.
The oft-injured Jermaine O’Neal missed last night’s game with swelling in his left knee - a problem that first appeared during Wednesday’s loss in Cleveland.
Shaq left with five minutes left in the 105-101 win over the Knicks after banging knees with Amar’e Stoudemire.
Shaq, at least, believes that won’t be a problem by the next game, Tuesday night against the Pistons.
“It’s the head of my right fibula, but I’m all right,” he said. “You just have to get some rest, get some treatment. I’m not worried about it.”
The situation may be more dire for Jermaine, though tests on the knee were negative, according to Rivers.
“No damage - they’ve done MRIs, so that’s the good news,” said the Celtics coach. “We’ve just got to let the swelling go down. I hope it doesn’t happen, but this could go on for one or two games that neither one is available. We just hope it’s not for a long stretch.
Herald - Uh oh, O'Neals are hurtin
First the wrist, and now the knee. At least there's a reason for Jermaine's crappy play.
As for Shaq, I'm guessing he'll be fine.
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston - Postgame notes | Globe - Fighting through some early problems | Rivers passes along praise | KG took aim at change | Herald - Shamrock skirmish | Rondo dishes out truth | CSNNE - Davis goes from odd man out, to key cog | Rivers confirms fight between West/Wafer |