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.
Overall: 57
Title track: 24
Ownership: 48
Coaching: 17
Players: 34
Fan relations: 51
Affordability: 70
Stadium experience: 68
Bang for the buck: 109
Change from last year: +9The Celtics, after a second-half surge to the playoffs last season, are trending upward — on the court and in the Ultimate Standings. […]
Stevens blushes at how the Celtics made a 37-spot leap in coaching in this year’s poll, but the 38-year-old helmsman inarguably is the biggest reason for Boston’s nine-spot jump overall. Even with the improving roster, he is still the biggest draw on a starless squad. The growing buzz around the league about Stevens — with stamps of approval from NBA royalty such as LeBron James and Gregg Popovich — might eventually help deliver the sort of elite talent that Boston needs to really vault in the rankings.
ESPN – Ultimate Standings: Boston Celtics up to No. 57 in franchise rankings
Just like in the NBA standings, the Celtics are in the middle of the pack in ESPN rankings of all 122 pro sports franchises – but they are improving, thanks largely to Brad Stevens.
These franchise rankings are based on fan voting in the nine categories shown above, and Coaching was where Boston did best. Have to love the thought that Stevens might be the game-changer to finally bring a transcendent free agent to the parquet.
Other observations:
- The Cs ranked 14th among the 30 NBA teams.
- The Celtics were no. 2 among Boston teams behind the Patriots, who were no. 25. The Bruins were no. 93 and the Red Sox were no. 100.
- In the Players category (defined as “effort on the field, likability off it”), the Celts were 34th among the 122 franchises. Not bad, since Boston is constantly dinged for not having enough talent.
- The Nets plummeted 35 spots and now rank 111th overall. Thanks again for the unprotected draft picks.
On Page 2: Isaiah is too low at No. 65
65. Isaiah Thomas
Last year’s rank: 67
Insider profile: Everyone wants to block Thomas and he uses that burning desire to his advantage. With a great pump-fake and fearlessness, he toed the free throw line 7.3 times per 36 minutes, giving him one of the highest rates in the league. Remarkably, he was blocked on just 6.7 percent of his field goal attempts. Incredible for someone who can’t see over the scorer’s table.
ESPN – #NBArank: Nos. 61-70
ESPN is also slowly unveiling the results of its NBA player rankings for the upcoming season, and the reaction here to NBArank is not as positive as to the Ultimate Standings.
For NBArank, a panel of more than 100 voters was asked consider the quality and quantity of each player’s contributions to his team’s ability to win games. On Tuesday, Isaiah Thomas appeared on the list at no. 65, two places higher than the year before.
Celtics fans generally agree that Thomas is Boston’s best player, and he indeed is the highest-ranked Celtic on ESPN’s list. (Marcus Smart is no. 85, the only other Celt in the top 100.) To me, No. 65 is a little low for our best player. If any Celtic is going to be an All-Star it will be Thomas – but placing 65th means the NBA could select five All-Star squads and IT would still not make it. But, whatever, it’s all opinions, doesn’t mean anything.
That’s how I rationalized it – until the next player announced was Ricky Rubio at no. 64. Huh? Rubio last year was ranked 73rd, and missed three-quarters of last season with injury. So it’s fair to ask, are these rankings legit? How could Rubio leapfrog Thomas?
After all, Isaiah averaged 23 points per 36 minutes last season; advanced stats say he is already an All-Star; and Thomas’ production last season was superior to Rubio’s in nearly every category.
It’s pretty well-known that Isaiah takes this stuff personally, such as when Sports Illustrated ranked him 88th. So while I disagree with the player lists, I’m not sorry that the low rankings might motivate the little lefty. His pain could be Boston’s gain.
Related: NESN – Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas Among Seven Most Underrated NBA Players (Photos)
Celtics.com – Thomas Likely To Receive First Start Wed. Night
And, finally: Look in the mirror, Metta
“I remember I came into the NBA in 1999, the game was a little bit more rough. The game now is more for kids. It’s not really a man’s game anymore,” World Peace said. […] “It’s no longer a man’s game,” he said. “It’s a baby’s game. There’s softies everywhere. Everybody’s soft. Nobody’s hard no more. So, you just deal with it, you adjust and that’s it.”
Yahoo – Metta World Peace on the modern NBA: ‘It’s not really a man’s game anymore’
Metta World Peace has never been the sharpest knife in the drawer. His comments in this interview bear that out. Furthermore, he’s either wiped out all memory of his previous life as Ron Artest, or he lacks self-awareness at the level of Donald Trump.
It used to be that the NBA was not for the faint of heart – especially during the late 1980s through the 1990s, when the Detroit Bad Boys and Pat Riley’s Knicks beat their opponents by beating them up. That was night-and-day to today’s NBA. Any hard foul now is deemed flagrant, and technicals are slapped on players who even look at someone the wrong way.
But then the NBA’s attitude changed. The league began to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to on-court violence and trouble-making. Hmm, who set that in motion?
That would be none other than Artest/World Peace himself. In 2004, he literally instigated a riot that came to be known as “The Malice at the Palace.” Ron/Metta attacked and beat the hell out of several fans, got himself suspended for 86 games, ruined the promising season of a very strong Indiana Pacers team, and scared the piss out of the NBA hierarchy.
So, Metta, if everyone’s soft now, if no one is allowed to touch anyone more than a love tap, if the modern NBA is not to your liking, look in the mirror. Then punch yourself in the face. That will make everyone happy.
P.S. For those of you who didn’t follow the NBA back in 2004, see the evidence for yourself.
The Rest of the Links:
Herald – Bulpett: Real Celts-Nets games still to come | Celtics notebook: Turner’s back on ball tonight
MassLive – Jae Crowder glad the Boston Celtics are more focused on hitting first | Isaiah Thomas: Boston Celtics move the ball differently than previous teams | Marcus Smart out as sickness continues to strike Boston Celtics
Globe – Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas working on a one-footed jump shot
CSNNE – For Celtics, the key to success is through strong defense | Add Smart (illness) to list of unavailable Celtics guards
ESPN Boston – These Celtics like to move it
NBA.com – Celtics on rise … but are they ready to take next step?
Sports Illustrated – Shining a spotlight on the three best second-unit rotations in the NBA
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