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.
Over a stretch of just 1 minute, 34 seconds, the Celtics had taken the ball from the Pacers four times and gotten fast-break baskets after each swipe.
“We needed it,” Smart said. “Everybody was out there talking, ‘We need this game. We can’t lose this game. Somebody’s got to make a play.’ And four different guys made four different plays [in] under a minute and a half.”
The Pacers were scoreless over the game’s final two minutes, and the Celtics closed the game with a 12-0 run and had their victory. When the final seconds ticked away, there was a palpable sense of relief, both in the Garden crowd and on the Celtics’ bench.
Globe – Celtics finish strong to edge Pacers, end slide
“I was fighting [the notion that Boston might give another game away,]” Crowder said. “I didn’t want to think about that. I was just trying to stay positive, saying we were going to win it and pull through. We got to do it together. That’s what I kept saying. I wasn’t thinking about what happened before.”
ESPN Boston – Desperate Celtics find a way to steal victory from Pacers
During their four-game losing streak before last night, the Celtics couldn’t get stops in the fourth quarters, giving up 33, 27, 33 and 35 points (32.0 per game). Fans were frustrated by Boston blowing leads and letting each of those games slip away.
Normally, pro athletes are the most confident people around, but as indicated by the players’ comments above, doubt was even creeping into the Celtics’ locker room. But fear is a great motivator, and the Cs responded in the fourth quarter against Indiana.
The Pacers scored just 18 points on 8-22 shooting. They missed all five of their three-pointers. And the Celts stopped Indy without fouling, committing just four personals and allowing the Pacers to shoot just two free throws. Then there was the quartet of steals, creating offense from defense, like they did so often in the early weeks of this season. Beautiful basketball.
Now let’s see them do it again on Friday.
On Page 2: Playing big, reaching high
In September, shortly before the start of the 2015-16 season, Thomas noted, “I want to be the best guy to ever play under six feet. That’s a goal of mine and I’m going to try to reach that.” […]
One surefire way for Thomas to insert himself into the “best little man” discussion is an All-Star appearance. Only eight players in NBA history under six feet have been voted to an All-Star game and only four since 1979 in Calvin Murphy (1979), Dana Barros (1995), Michael Adams (1992), and Terrell Brandon (1996, 1997). […]
The NBA’s first two returns on 2016 All-Star fan voting found Thomas ranked ninth overall among Eastern Conference backcourt players.
ESPN Boston – Isaiah Thomas’ not-so-small quest to become an All-Star
After Thomas scored 35 and 34 points in losses this week, it came to light that the Celtics were 2-8 when he scores 24 or more points this season (although he had 28 in last night’s win). That sounds bad, but how can you fault the little lefty when he is the only one regularly producing offense? And there’s this:
Only six players this season are averaging 21-plus points and 6-plus assists per game: Stephen Curry, James Harden, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Damian Lillard, and Thomas, with the other five players being named All-Stars last season.
That’s a distinguished group. Clearly, there’s no way IT gets voted an All-Star by the fans, but if the Cs are above .500 when the coaches choose the subs, it’s going to be tough for them not to choose Thomas.
And, finally: Sam Jones might be the most underrated player ever
Michael Jordan takes the crown as the best SG in our all-time #NBArank. https://t.co/WUpHBpoA1s pic.twitter.com/BzlF0Rqr1r
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 13, 2016
Let’s get this straight up front: Player rankings are of no value except 1) to provide website content, and 2) to generate controversy and therefore attention for the website. Rankings are based on opinion and statistics, both of which can be shaped to support any point of view.
I try to ignore rankings, but this time it was impossible. ESPN’s top 10 shooting guards of all time did not include Celtics legend Sam Jones. No. 24 on your banner of retired numbers played 12 seasons in Boston and averaged 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Sam shot .456 from the floor in the era before three-pointers, plus .803 from the line. He’s also in the Hall of Fame.
Those are the basics about Sam’s career, but his most important achievement was winning 10 NBA championships. His ring-for-each-finger total is second all-time to Bill Russell’s 11. Of course, Sam was clutch. Examples: he made the shot to win the Eastern Conference final in Game 7 versus Philadelphia in 1962; dropped 51 at Madison Square Garden in a playoff closeout game versus the Knicks in 1967; and sank the game-winner with one second left in Game 4 of the 1969 Finals, bringing Boston into a 2-2 series tie (they won in seven).
Yet it seems to all be forgotten.
Take a look at the ESPN list. No one would argue against Michael and Kobe taking the top spots. Jerry West, one of Sam’s contemporaries, is ranked third and I won’t deny it. I’ll even give them DWade at no. 4. But after that, Sam was as good as or better than every one of them. His 10 rings are more than the total of players 3-10. No matter what his exact ranking would be, he definitely deserves to be in the top 10.
Trust me on this: Sam was legit and the list is bogus.
The Rest of the Links:
MassLive – Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, wild finish propel Boston Celtics past Indiana Pacers, 103-94
Herald – Celtics bullish on Pacers, end losing streak
CSNNE – Stars, studs and duds: Crowder ‘really improved his game’
NESN – Celtics’ Relentless ‘Pitbulls’ Overwhelm Pacers as Small Lineup Shines
Indy Star – Pacers: ‘Today was pretty much inexcusable’
