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.
“The more people heal, the better they feel,” Rivers said. “But I think now that he’s playing, the other guys listen more. It’s tougher to talk when you’re in street clothes. But now the fact that he’s playing better is huge. If he’s feeling better and playing better, that obviously makes all the difference for us.”
Garnett’s teammates also believe his best may be in the wings, yet to make a curtain call.
“I still don’t think he’s 100 percent - maybe about 85 percent,” Perkins said. “He’s showing flashes of his old self, though, like how he shows in the pick-and-roll. He’s defending the pick-and-roll and getting back on the isolation. I don’t know how much better he can get at it. All I know is that he’s doing that great now.”....
“It’s obvious, how much better he is now,” Pierce said. “You’re seeing it in the way he rebounds the ball and sprints down the court. Let’s face it: Without Kevin we can’t win a championship. I’m replaceable, Ray’s replaceable, Rondo.
“But you can’t replace Kevin.”
Herald: Kevin Garnett has healing powers
That's one hell of a thing to say. I would say Rondo is irreplaceable too... but that's just me. I honestly can't think of another player that does what he does. You can argue that other point guards are better... but they're different.
But I will really go out on that limb and say that a healthy KG clearly makes this team different (that's expert analysis right there). It's amazing how different things are with KG in the lineup. The intensity is different.
It's way too simplistic to compare this year with KG to last year without him in the Orlando series. These are different teams all around. But the difference in how the C's defend Orlando is noticeable. And it starts with KG.
On Page 2: Stan Van Gundy is just trying to keep his team from falling apart
Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images“People want to escape and then people start worrying about where the blame is going to be placed,’’ he said yesterday following the Magic’s workout at TD Garden.
“It’s not just players. It’s coaches and everybody. Instead of having the mental toughness in a situation like this to get yourself ready to play Game 4, you start subconsciously making comments to separate and let everybody know, ‘It’s not my fault.’ Coaches can do it as well as players. You have to avoid that.’’
Van Gundy continued to lament over Saturday night’s 94-71 Game 3 loss; his team never led and never made it competitive after trailing, 21-6.
“I’ll be honest, I’m somebody who says I’m never shocked but I was shocked that we didn’t play with more intensity and determination,’’ the coach said. “We had three days to get ready. I gotta take a lot of responsibility for that. We did not play the way we needed to play.
“But I’m also not crying in my soup. I haven’t done a good job and I need to do a better job and that’s the way I think the players need to think. The series isn’t over and I plan to do a much better job [tonight].’’
Globe: His response is a pointed one
Sorry Stan... it's too late for that.
I've said since the beginning that I'd be shocked if the Celtics swept... but they've broken the Magic. The way they're acting on the floor... the things they're saying... they look like a broken team.
MAYBE... the Magic can take one game. Maybe. But at this point I doubt it. At this point, the first hint of adversity would be enough to get the Magic to quit.
So I hope you like chicken and tears soup, Stan... because you're going to be crying in it later tonight.
The rest of the links:
Herald: Gino time is Celtics time | Past keeps presenting itself | Down 3-0, situation goes from "bad" to worse | Thibodeau may be a good fit for the Bulls | Rondo keeping cool amid furor | Opposing moms share tight bond | Globe: Backbone back | Celtics couldn't bear Bruins repeat | Looking for a win, not cure | ESPN Boston: Game 4 statistical nuggets | Game 4 preview: its all over | MWDN: Celtics find winning formula | CSNNE: C's edge stay sharp | WEEI: For Celtics, there was much ado about Hedo | Celtics take credit where credit is due | Celtics Blog: It's not over... yet | Lex: Lakers already favored to beat C's | Celtics Hub: Smart defense or tentative offense | Celtics Town: Scal tries to pawn off Thibodeau