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.
Chicago’s Kirk Hinrich, who’s due to make an average of $9 million per year through the 2011-12 season, and Charlotte’s D.J. Augustin, who has one year left on his rookie contract (with a team option for 2011-12), remain possibilities.
As Eddie House’s matador performance against New Orleans’ Darren Collison illustrated last Wednesday, the C’s need a backup who can keep an opposing point guard out of the paint.
The team also hopes the recent return of Marquis Daniels, combined with Tony Allen’s emergence as one of the best defenders in the rotation, will help solve the problem. Daniels’ presence also will enable House to move off the ball and into the role that suits him best - catching and shooting.
With that in mind, Ainge isn’t in a hurry to make a risky deal.
Herald - Celtics Point and Shoot
I've told everyone that would listen that I don't think the C's are making a deal. All the rumors about Ray don't come out of nowhere... but the C's are pretty much just doing what they were doing before the season started: listening to offers for Ray's huge expiring contract. Maybe they're throwing a few "too good to be true" offers out there to see if they can catch a team getting desperate... but that's a little different from the "they're desperate to make a move" stuff we've heard.
Remember: Everyone is lying right now. Danny says they're doing nothing... but the C's are clearly doing something. Opposing "unnamed" GM's say Danny is desperate... but he's not going to blow a decent chance at a title to make a move.
I can see the need for a back up point that can defend because the C's rotations down low are slower now that KG is slower. MAYBE the C's make a minor deal that brings in a back up point... but the C's also have, as is mentioned in the excerpt, two guys currently on the team that might fill that role.
Instead of looking at Marquis Daniels as coming back from an injury... think of him as a guy we just picked up before the deadline. And we gave up nothing for him. He's going to help.
Coming up, Page 2... Where Ray's job never changes
"Regardless of where I am, my job never changes," he told CSNNE.com on Monday night. "One thing I learned when I first got to the league, there are so many things that you're not going to be able to control, so don't worry about them. That's how I lived my life."
..."Organizationally, we're lucky to be part of an organization that wants to win," Allen said. "From that aspect, winning a championship is not guaranteed. That's why we're all fortunate to be here. If that changes with me, I have to move on and figure out the best way that I can help myself."
CSNNE: Allen addresses trade rumors
Ray has been singing this same, admirable tune since the rumors started surfacing last summer.
But the fact is he's human... and humans are affected by things like this.
My guess is Ray goes nowhere, and having that stress pulled off his shoulders on Thursday night in Los Angeles will lead to a big shooting night.
The rest of the links:
Herald: Celtics midseason report card | Scouting report: Celtics at Kings | Globe: Celtics better have better half | Going West to rev up for the playoffs | Kings thumbnails | CSNNE: Ainge, Allen talk trades | C's return to floor, seek return to dominance | MWDN: test out west | Celtics Blog: Standing Pat? | Lex: How much rides on tonight's game? | Celtics Hub: Does this trade make you worry?