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.
The Boston Celtics were close to signing JaVale McGee back in March when the Philadelphia 76ers released him and thus made him a free agent.
Could a second go-around be the charm?
Despite the failed efforts by both sides to hammer out a deal earlier, the door hasn’t been totally slammed shut on the two coming together once again and seal a deal this time.
The sticking point previously was the Celtics’ desire to have a team option following the 2015-2016 season while McGee’s camp instead wanted a player option.
Boston’s salary cap situation this summer coupled with the league’s overall salary cap improvement the following year could pave the way for a two-year deal with McGee having an option to explore free agency in 2016 when many teams are expected to have substantial cap space to spend courtesy of the league’s new national TV deal kicking in.
If the Celtics end up with Javale McGee – a guy paid $12 million to sit on his ass this spring – in their rotation next season, I will consider the off-season an epic failure.
Hold that thought. If the Celtics somehow land Jimmy Butler (who isn’t buddy-buddy with Derrick Rose), Kevin Love or another impact free-agent, then I’ll be more likely to accept the signing of McGee.
But you get my point. We can do better than Javale McGee.
In other news, Avery Bradley’s teammates believe he was snubbed from the league’s All-Defensive teams:
Bradley finished 14th in voting for the five-member first and second teams. The fifth-year guard spotted on 21 ballots cast by 129 sportswriters and broadcasters and earned five first-team votes.
Teammate Jared Sullinger posted on Twitter: “Hahahahaha so Avery Bradley doesn’t make 1st or 2nd team all defense!!!! What a joke man!!! Are you guys watching what I am watching?”
Echoed Isaiah Thomas via Twitter: “Avery Bradley Not 1st or 2nd team all defense? They gotta start letting the players choose these awards smh”
Chris Forsberg layed out the evidence which shows slippage in Bradley’s defensive production:
Synergy Sports’ defensive data suggests that Bradley allowed 0.86 points per play this season, which ranked merely in the 53rd percentile among all league players. For sake of comparison, during Bradley’s All-Defense season of 2012-13, he limited opponents to a mere 0.697 points per play, which was the best mark in the league among qualifiers.
All-Defensive team or not, we know AB can still be a top 5 defender in this league. I think the slippage last season was a result of Bradly pressing too much on the offensive end.
On Page 2, LeBron’s road to the Finals just go a bit easier.
The Cavs took Game 1 but the big story was the non-contact knee injury DeMarre Carroll suffered late in the 4th. He needed crutches to get to the lockerroom. MRI is scheduled for today but it doesn’t look good.
— MarcusD (@_MarcusD_) May 21, 2015
Yup, awful.
(h/t Yahoo BDL)
The rest of the links
Mass Live – 2015 Mock Draft Roundup | C’s bring in 6 players for workouts
