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.
Rivers said he isn’t reluctant to use anyone on his bench if necessary — the key words being “if necessary.’’
“Obviously, you want guys to be efficient so you don’t have to extend your minutes, but I would be willing to do it if I thought we had to,’’ Rivers said yesterday. “If I thought a guy wasn’t doing his job, or a guy was injured or in foul trouble, I have faith in the guys that I haven’t played. I have no problem putting them in if I have to do that.’’
Globe - Bench continues to stand out
It's a given that Doc will give big minutes to Tony Allen, Rasheed Wallace and Glen Davis. Micheal Finley might see a handful.
While Doc says he's willing to go deeper, we all realize it will take major foul trouble or an injury for Marquis Daniels and/or Nate Robinson to see the court.
The beauty of the Cs second unit is that they can dominate simply by playing with energy - hitting the boards, taking charges and grabbing loose balls. The two starters left to play alongside them (usually Rondo and Ray/Paul) can handle the majority of the offense.
Doc compared this squad to the 2008 reserves:
“They were pretty consistent,’’ Rivers said. “You could pretty much write down what Posey was going to do, and P.J. This group, you just don’t know from game to game, and that makes it more challenging."
That's right. Po-Z was a lock for physical defense and at least one back-breaking three. PJ always hit the boards. I loved those guys.
On Page 2, a peak ahead to the Finals schedule.
Game 1: Tuesday, June 1 - Celtics at Lakers, 9 p.m. (ABC)
Game 2: Thursday, June 3 - Celtics at Lakers, 9 p.m. (ABC)
Game 3: Sunday, June 6 - Lakers at Celtics, 8 p.m. (ABC)
Game 4: Tuesday, June 8 - Lakers at Celtics, 9 p.m. (ABC)
Game 5*: Thursday, June 10 - Lakers at Celtics, 9 p.m. (ABC)
Game 6*: Sunday, June 13 - Celtics at Lakers, 8 p.m. (ABC)
Game 7*: Tuesday, June 15 - Celtics at Lakers, 9 p.m. (ABC)
If either the Eastern or Western Conference Finals advance to a Game 6, the NBA Finals would begin Thursday, June 3. Here's the schedule under that scenario:
Game 1: Thursday, June 3 - Celtics/Magic vs. Lakers/Suns, 9 p.m. (ABC)
Game 2: Sunday, June 6 - Celtics/Magic vs. Lakers/Suns, 8 p.m. (ABC)
Game 3: Tuesday, June 8 - Celtics/Magic vs. Lakers/Suns, 9 p.m. (ABC)
Game 4: Thursday, June 10 - Celtics/Magic vs. Lakers/Suns, 9 p.m. (ABC)
Game 5*: Sunday, June 13 - Celtics/Magic vs. Lakers/Suns, 8 p.m. (ABC)
Game 6*: Tuesday, June 15 - Celtics/Magic vs. Lakers/Suns, 9 p.m. (ABC)
Game 7*: Thursday, June 17 - Celtics/Magic vs. Lakers/Suns, 9 p.m. (ABC)
Ugh. I just remembered the 9pm start times. Screw you David Stern and ABC.
While the dates under the second scenario are correct, Orlando would host Phoenix provided both teams pulled off a miracles.
The rest of the links:
Globe - Celtics don't rest on laurels | Magic desperately trying to stay in control | Herald - Tony Allen roles with punches | Truth set free | Green vow to avoid repeat letdown | Perk's maturity pivotal | CSNNE - Magic tricks yet to work | ESPN Boston - Celtics will keep doing their thing | Probability and statistics for Game 3 | Orlando Sentinel - Van Gundy says season a failure without title |