Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Celtics president Danny Ainge never had a chance to get to Thornton. He found out about the trade from a teammate who was also about to get shipped out — Tayshaun Prince.
“Rumors, but I didn’t know until the last second,” Thornton said. “I put my phone down, Tayshaun picked his phone up and there it was. I was like, damn, I just put my phone down. That’s how fast it happened. I saw everything happening, and all of a sudden Tayshaun picks his up and says, ‘You gone.’ A crazy turn of events.”
That was a common story before the Celtics’ 115-110 victory against the Suns last night. The accelerating influence of social media considered, players are just as likely to find out about a trade from a teammate or agent.
Thomas was informed on the Suns team bus about his trade to the Celtics, by another ex-Celtic, Brandan Wright.
Wright, in turn, won’t likely forget that night in the locker room in Indianapolis before a game against the Pacers that both he and Jeff Green were about to be shipped out in separate deals.
“Weird. We were on Twitter and stuff like that, seeing everybody get moved. I took my phone and gave it to Isaiah. That’s how he found out,” said Wright, turning to the night of his own trade — his second of the season. “I was on my way to the game and I got called by my agent. We were on the bus and he found out. It’s tough sometimes. Sometimes it’s hard for management to get to you and get it out. Part of it. It can be tough, especially for Isaiah, where he just signed a four-year deal, and now he has to uproot.
You gone.
Imagine hanging with some coworkers in the cafeteria when one of them walks up to you and says, “You gone.” And you realize you have been shipped to another company 3,000 miles away.
I understand that athletes are paid obscene amounts of money to play a game, but they still have to deal with the same real life BS as the rest of us; nagging wives, cranky kids, mortgage payments, etc. Money eases a lot of stress, but moving a family around the country is never easy.
This tale also serves as proof that athletes read and hear everything that is said about them from media, fans, etc.
Speaking of Tayshaun Prince, he’s not happy about the deal to Detroit:
“Me and Danny had several conversations, and like I said before, all options were on the table because I knew they were trying to go young,” Prince said of the Celtics. “I thought no trade was going to happen at all. I was going to be in Boston and see what happened, whether the buyout was going to happen or not. The buyout wasn’t 100%.
“So I thought there was no trade at all. We get ready to go on the bus to practice and they said, ‘Come here, you’ve been traded.’
“I didn’t even know where I was going. I was pissed off from the get-go. Coach Stevens and I had talked, and there was no word on where I was going. Then I get two, three, four, five calls. I get a call from (Pistons physical therapist) Arnie Kander.
“I’m like, ‘Wait a minute, hold on, I didn’t get traded to Detroit, did I?'”
Yup, you gone. And Stan Van Gundy says there won’t be a buyout.
Related: Globe – Thornton knew his days in Boston were numbered
On Page 2, what’s a Crowder?
Stevens revealed a new word the Celtics have created: ‘Crowders,’ a term used to refer to risky passes.
“I’m a risk taker,” Jae smiled. “It’s named after myself.”
Explained Stevens: “His hustle plays are always fantastic. I’m just giving him a hard time. He’s been a great addition. We love Jae.”
I hadn’t noticed Crowder’s penchant for risky passes.
While watching Jae and Isaiah Thomas play last night I couldn’t help but think that these guys would have really helped the 2012 C’s team.
And finally, the return of Kobe’s death stare.
That was Kobe’s response to the Lakers goofy antics following LA’s victory over Boston.
One of the few things I like about Kobe Bryant is the old school mentality.
The rest of the links:
CSNNE – Thomas takes over | Cs rebound in second leg of back-to-backs | Herald – Thomas helps Celtics beat Suns in return | ESPN Boston – Thomas leads Celtics past former team | WEEI – 5 things we learned in dramatic Celtics victory
