Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
"It's good to have Kevin back, but more importantly, it's good to see him feeling better after a game where we went into OT," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "Someone asked me about the minutes [Friday], but this is something totally different than last year [when Garnett needed knee surgery and had his season ended early]. We're really not concerned about the minutes, our concern, minute-wise, was his conditioning."
ESPN Boston: Saturday's Practice Report
“We’re playing with a lot more energy and a lot of that has to do with our emotional leader coming back,” Paul Pierce [stats] said. “Now our goal is to finish strong going into the All-Star break over these next eight or nine games.
“I think it affects you chemistry-wise, because you get used to playing with the same units and everybody knowing their roles,” Pierce said. “But roles change as injuries hit . . . It’s an adjustment you have to make throughout the season, because injuries are part of a long season. But if we can get everybody back in the starting five, then everything is going to be fine.”
Herald: Kevin Garnett's return without restrictions
Hey Doc... part of the reason we keep asking you about the knee and minutes restrictions is because the team was acting suspiciously like it did last year. Everything started to smell the same... and we didn't like it.
But I get it now. It's not the same injury... it just happened to be in the same knee. Looking at KG moving around in practice (in the ESPN Boston link) he looks like KG. Chuck was right... KG will never be the guy he was two years ago... but he's going to be ok, and he'll get better as his conditioning improves.
Coming up, Page 2... Where Perk is a great guy off-the-court
Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images“I love that kid,” [Clippers assistant John] Lucas said. “I knew about him right away just by his commitment. He’d drive 75 miles each way, every day to work out in Houston. He did that for the first month, and then he got a place for the next two months. Then he’d drive in for the week and go home on weekends. That’s commitment.
“He worked hard from the start, and as soon as he got his body straight and got some of the hangers-on off of him, he really took off. And you know what? He may be the best defensive center in the league. He’s just improved so much.”
Herald: Kendrick Perkins affirms John Lucas' faith
Toss this story on the pile of great stories about Perk this year. The kid is the model for improvement in the NBA. He still has work to do, but his defense has improved while his fouls have decreased. Remember when Perk would ALWAYS be on the bench in the 1st quarter with 2 fouls? That doesn't happen nearly as much anymore.
So kudos to Perk for the willingness to put the work in. Also... kudos to Perk for donating $1,000 for every point he scored Friday night to Haiti. Too bad he only ended scoring 4 points... but still it was cool of him to join in the group of players doing that
(Thanks Jazz for the link)
The rest of the links:
Herald: Tony Allen passes test | Steve Nash has guardedly high praise for Rondo | Globe: Off-Broadway drama unfolding in Robinson | Souza: Big Ticket paying big dividend | CSNNE: Injuries aside, C's grade out well | Tony Allen's growth curve continues | WEEI: Rivers doesn't plan to limit Garnett's minutes | Telegram: Celtics need health, help from the bench | LOSCY: How to be an optimistic Celtics fan in times like these | LOY's Place: Please excuse this fact | CSL: A first for CSL: Praise for Tony Allen