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.
“Tonight, I thought it was a conscious effort to get to the second and third options and not just play strong-side basketball,’’ Garnett said. “Swinging, getting pick-and-rolls, movement, that’s when Rajon gets a lot of easy layups, a lot of dump-offs to Perk for easy buckets. When we’re doing that, man, we’re pretty hard to stop.’’
“That’s what Kevin brings,’’ Perkins said. “He’s going to stay on top of guys to move the ball. He always does a good job of disciplining guys. Telling guys when the next guy’s open. He always does a great job of that.’’Globe - Passing Grade for Garnett
The guys were clearly listening to KG in the 3rd quarter. Of the Celtics 9 baskets in the quarter, 7 came from within 6 feet of the hoop.
“I think that I am just talking, trying to bring a certain amount of defense, a certain amount of energy to the defensive end,” Garnett said, eschewing the view, accentuated by his on-court proclamation, that he is back. “Two rebounds is not enough for me. I know that I am a better rebounder than that. It’s timing. I am not perfect. I will get better at that as the year goes on, but for the most part I am playing my lane and doing what I am supposed to do.”
Herald - Kevin Garnett's Got Cs Back
Did anyone notice the Clippers scored 30 points in the 4th quarter? Craig Smith destroyed the interior defense and single-handedly brought the Clippers within 4 points. KG left the game with 2:13 on the clock in the 3rd quarter and didn't return until 5:16 remaining in the 4th. Doc Rivers was hoping the second unit bigs would finish off the Clippers and he could save KG. Once KG returned, the Clippers scored just 3 points over a 4 minute stretch and the Celtics pulled away.
On Page 2, Glen Davis wants a name change...
"I've been called 'Big Baby' all through my life," said Davis. "But I'm going through changes. I'm in a cocoon and I'm coming out a different player, a different person. Basically, the new person is growth. I'm shedding that 'Big Baby' and you can see something else, not the past."
When Celtics coach Doc Rivers was informed of the nickname swap a short time later, he rolled his eyes and initially said, "Oh Lord, no comment." Informed the impetus was Davis trying to change his reputation, Rivers added, "Actions change your image most of the time, but we'll see. That's good though. It's a start, right?"
ESPNBoston - Big Baby Out/Uno Uno In
I'm with Doc on this one, actions not words. Davis seems like a good guy, he'll figure it all out... eventually.
The rest of the links:
Globe - Slippery Conditions Court Disaster | Ticket to Ride | Ray Wants to Stay | Herald - Celtics Content, Won't Rule Anything Out | Condensation Creates Slippery Situation | CSNNE - Talking Points | A Worthy 2 Game Winning Streak | WEEI - Celts Looking to Grow | Celtics Blog - Ray for Ellis? Pros/Cons | Celtics Hub - Enough
(image courtesy Boston Herald)