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 Red Sox and their fans everywhere spent the weekend paying tribute to David Ortiz, who is retiring at the end of this season’s baseball playoffs. As is customary, all the Boston sports franchises – including the Celtics – joined the celebration.
On Saturday night, Brad Stevens and the entire Celtics squad showed up at Fenway Park wearing special Ortiz/No. 34 Celtics jerseys. Other special touches included the tribute video shown below. Probably no one was happier to be there than Al Horford, a fellow native of the Dominican Republic. (See Pages 2 and 3 below for more on that.) Here’s a recap of the festivities in tweet form:
Honored to be a part of the celebration for #Boston legend @davidortiz @fenwaypark tonight #ThankYouPapi https://t.co/QOWwWhr9DT
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 2, 2016
#ThanksPapi pic.twitter.com/EgE541gSSA
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 2, 2016
#ThanksPapi pic.twitter.com/qBsOHDtViZ
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 1, 2016
Everyone got involved with the 34×34 billboards! #ThanksPapi
pic.twitter.com/Q2yYV2DA1O— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) October 2, 2016
When the entire Boston sports community shows up for you. #ThanksPapi pic.twitter.com/Ko6rzUjZmq
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) October 2, 2016
And for some comic relief:
Celtics honoring Paul Pierce’s final season tonight at Fenway #ThanksPapi pic.twitter.com/G6KMKhRueh
— Max Lederman (@Max_Lederman) October 1, 2016
On Page 2: Dominican brothers
A few months later the NBA season is approaching, and there are plenty of ways to explain what Horford means to the Celtics. For one, he’s the first All-Star free agent to choose Boston in decades. He’s been consistently excellent over the past nine seasons in Atlanta, and he should be a significant upgrade over Jared Sullinger, the undersized center who signed with the Raptors as a free agent. What’s more, the skills that set him apart from his frontcourt peers—the spot-up shooting, the passing, the versatility on defense—make him a dream fit in a Celtics scheme that surprised the league with 48 wins last season.
But there’s another side of Horford’s story—and what he brings to his new city—that’s more interesting than defensive switching, or the mechanics of the Atlanta’s offense versus Boston’s. It was on display that day at Fenway. After the Red Sox game, Horford took to Twitter and posted a photo of himself in the clubhouse with stars David Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez, both of whom, like Horford, come from the Dominican Republic. The caption read, “Con mi gente!”
Translated: With my people.
Sports Illustrated – The Godfather Part II: Al Horford looks to carry on tradition in Boston
This insightful feature gives the full picture of how Horford was raised in the Dominican Republic and later in Michigan, and how he developed into the man and All-Star that he is today. Horford’s father, Tito, who played for the Bucks in the ’80s, guided that process. As it turns out, Al is paying it forward by helping to mentor Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns, who has roots in the island nation.
With Ortiz hanging up the spikes, it’s as if it was meant to be for Horford to come to Boston and take over representing the D.R. The Celtics have fans worldwide, but this season we’ll probably be introduced to a new contingent who will now root for Al in Boston.
Related: Basketball Insiders – Ranking The NBA’s Top 10 Centers (Horford at No. 5)
On Page 3: Banners and Brad
Tito Horford: “I think he and his family chose to leave because maybe he wanted to experience a new horizon. He never had any conflict with the Hawks, or the players, or the city. He made his home in Atlanta. He loves Atlanta. He just wanted to try to something different. And playing for the Celtics, that’s something every kid wanted to do. They had a great background, history.”
“As a father, I’m very proud. He’s happy, his wife is happy. That’s the most important thing right now. He chose a great team. A great city. You know Boston, they’re very passionate about every sport. I was happy for him. Whatever he decided to do, I was going to support him. As a father, that’s my job.” […]
Brad Stevens: “I think that was something … [Leaving a great situation with the Hawks and moving his family to Boston, just as Stevens left Butler] … That’s a hard thing to do. Especially when you’ve been in one spot for a long time. I did hit on the fact that I experienced a level of being uncomfortable, and it turned into a really good decision for us, for my family. I’ve really grown as a coach. But it was really hard to do. And I think you can empathize with that a little bit.”
“But this place speaks for itself. How much there is to do, the history, the fans. He’s got a young family, he’s got a two year-old, another on the way. It’s a great place to raise kids. The education is tremendous. There’s just so many things about it. And hey, you can get that in a lot of different places, I understand. But I don’t think Boston takes a backseat to anyone.”
Sports Illustrated – Outtakes: Al Horford on picking the Celtics, Brad Stevens on Twitter and more
For years, Celtics fans were told that NBA free agents couldn’t care less about the banners hanging in the Garden. It was ancient history, according to the narrative, and would not be a factor in choosing where to sign. Furthermore, Boston wasn’t as attractive as Miami or L.A.
Except we learned recently that Al Horford has always been impressed with the Celtics’ winning tradition, and he acknowledges that the franchise history influenced him. The city and fans, too.
To repeat what Horford’s dad said, “…playing for the Celtics, that’s something every kid wanted to do… He chose a great team. A great city.”
And as for Brad Stevens’ recruiting of free agents, that’s a genius play to relate his own story of cutting ties elsewhere and coming to Boston. When Brad got his contract extension, we all saw it as a benefit toward selling players on his coaching abilities. Clearly, however, his presence and influence are about much more than basketball. I’m more confident than ever about attracting additional FAs in years to come.
And, finally: Dancing Bear sighting
Celtics 1st-round pick Guerschon Yabusele’s final line vs Rockets:
24 points, 12 rebounds. 9 of 18 shooting in 44(?!) minutes.— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) October 3, 2016
Good numbers for The Dancing Bear. Guershon is playing for the Shanghai Sharks, who were in Houston last night for a preseason game. The Sharks aren’t NBA caliber, but we can hope Yabusele will benefit in the long run from getting plentiful playing time as a young professional.
And, finally (the sequel): Ante Zizic highlights
Here’s a look-in at Boston’s other first-round pick, Ante Zizic, who’s stashed in Croatia.
ESPN Boston – Something in reserve? Celtics’ second unit besting starters early in camp
CSNNE – Celtics Bench Poised To Make Big Impact In 2016
Herald – Celtics notes: Terry Rozier more confident second time around
