Your Morning Dump... Where KG is the weak link for now

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.

In that March 7 game, Wizards players revealed, coach Flip Saunders (who was with Garnett for 10 seasons in Minnesota) instructed them to attack Garnett, force him to guard them one-on-one instead of allowing him to flourish in the “help defense’’ mode. The coaches also urged JaVale McGee to block Garnett’s first shot, even if it meant a goaltending call, because in KG’s current mental state, they surmised, he would subsequently alter his shot (Garnett finished 0 for 7 from the floor).

Globe - Questioning adds to KG's pain

I know KG is a shell of himself right now, but to read how other teams are attacking and exploiting him really struck a chord with me.

Jackie Mac has a great column on Garnett's personality, work ethic, the knee injury (he knew it would take a year to fully recover), his rehab, and his relationship with teammates.

Whatever happens in the playoffs, it sounds like KG will be a different player next season:

“It’s amazing how quickly people forget,’’ Garnett said. “They want to see you fly high like you always did. They’re not even thinking about how you aren’t even 100 percent, playing on one leg."

“I like it, though,’’ he said. “These people saying this stuff, they don’t know [expletive] about me.

“They don’t know this summer, with the education I’ve gathered on my injury, just wait. They see you hurt, they see you get dunked on, they think your guard is down. That’s when I take the clips off my guns.’’

Before reading this article, I was convinced KG was "done." Now I think he can come back stronger. While we'll likely never see the 2008 version of KG, there's hope he'll be better.

On Page 2, why Perk excels versus the Heat.

He’s averaged 15.7 points and 9.3 rebounds in three games against Miami this season, including one of his best nights, a 20-point, 10-rebound outburst Jan. 6. Perkins would say it’s not about the matchup, rather more about the Heat letting him slip through the cracks.

“I don’t really think it’s against Jermaine,’’ Perkins said. “I think it’s because of their defense. Miami is one of the teams that probably kind of disrespects me. I think they try to shut down everybody else and kind of forget about me. I always get easy layups and things like that.’

Globe - Miami Perks him up

Perk goes on to say he's not focusing on offensive at all in this series. It's rebounding and defense. 10 rebounds and 2 blocks per game is the goal.

The rest of the links:

Herald - Time to get it done now | Rasheed ready to rock | Rondo sick of illness | ESPN Boston - Rondo throwing up | Forsberg scouting report | CSNNE - Health issues still a concern | Celtics look to prove their oldies but goodies | WEEI - Cs land 19th pick in draft | Defending D-Wade | Finley: Cs need to show respect | Globe - Favorites prepared to embark on perilous path | Wallace not backing down | Celtics Blog: Preview review, looking back at my road ahead | Celtics Town: Rondo a warrior |