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.
“Man, just playing,” he said when asked about the last game and building off it. “I ain’t worried about last game. Last game’s over with. Just got to play.”
On the change in his effectiveness (7-of-8 shooting from the floor), he said, “I don’t know. Who knows? Making shots.”
On grasping his importance: “Just hoopin’, man. I mean, that’s all. I knew it was going to be like that from Day One. Just hoopin’. Nothing different.”
On the effect of the shower talk with Garnett: “No, it’s stuff we’ve been saying to each other all season, so it’s nothing new.”
Sheed certainly made shots in Game 2, but to be honest, he did little else. Check out his stats. Two rebounds, 0 blocks, 0 steals.
My fear is that Sheed comes out gunning in Game 3. I won't mind the shots, as long as he's working inside/out. But with KG and Perk nicked up, Sheed must hit the boards stronger and play better defense if he sees additional minutes.
On Page 2, Nate Robinson's time on the bench saved the Celtics big bucks.
A clause in Robinson's contract calls for him to make a $1 million bonus if he both played in at least 58 games and made the playoffs this season. Robinson's Celtics are in the postseason but he played in 56 games. As a result, the Celtics saved the $1 million they would have paid Robinson -- equivalent to a quarter of his reported annual salary -- and an additional $1 million they would have owed in luxury tax to the NBA (most of which would have been distributed to teams with payrolls below the luxury tax threshold).
ESPN Boston - Robinson doesn't reach incentive
Did the Celtics ownership conspire with Doc to keep Nate on the bench so they could save a few bucks? I wouldn't be surprised. This is a business, after all.
The rest of the links:
Globe - Fouls don't seem fair | KG's foot strain gives him pause | Herald - Pierce knows his time will come | KG, Perk hurt | Cavs need Shaq to shoulder some blame | Perk toughs it out | CSNNE - Cs need to avoid foul play | Celtics Hub - Pessimism and Game 2 | ESPN - Ainge regrets towel flap | Antoine planning a comeback? |