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.There’s a simple way to get Paul Pierce more involved in the offense.“
Just get me the ball, like Keyshawn Johnson,” Pierce said yesterday."
..."You just can’t predict it, man,” Pierce said as the captain and the rest of the C’s prepared for tonight’s Game 5 at the Garden against the Los Angeles Lakers. “You can’t predict how guys are going to shoot. You can’t predict how guys are going to play from a night-in, night-out basis. There’s really no way I can really answer that.
“I mean, it’s a different type of game. Teams have their scouting reports and some of the things they want to take away from us each and every night. Some guys more than others. So it’s hard to predict the other team’s game plan and what they want to give and what they want to take away. As far as having a great game from all of us, it’s real unpredictable.”
Herald: Offense in need of help
I had to make sure to add those last 2 paragraphs just so people understood Pierce is obviously joking about the "get me the ball" comment.
What Pierce is really saying is he needs to just keep getting his shots and his offense will come. If the Celtics are running their regular offense and sharing the ball, then Pierce will get enough shots to have a breakout game. They all will. It's just a matter of how contested those shots will be and whether these guys make the shots they have.
They've played 103 games this way, there's no need to play the final 2 or 3 any differently. Run the offense the way you have the whole way with some minor adjustments based on the Lakers minor defensive adjustments. Pierce will have a chance to go off. So will Garnett. So will Ray or Rondo (sorry Perk, you just get in there and board).
These guys will get their shots. It's just a matter of making them.
On Page 2: Perk gives Sheed advice on techs
Photo: PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty ImagesESPN Boston: Practice notes: Tech talk
I'm gonna be honest, I mostly posted this video because I think hearing Perk speak is one of the great joys in life. I don't know why. It's better than a basket full of puppies. The drawl, the cadence, the "uhhh", the once sentence answers... it just fits so perfectly. I could listen to it for hours.
Plus, he actually cracks a smile in that video... so kudos to Chris Forsberg for capturing that on video.
As for the techs... I like Doc's take:
“We’re just going to play our game,” he said. “We’re not going to worry about it. If it happens, it happens. I’m hoping obviously there is no Game 7, but if it happens, let’s let it happen in Game 7, then we’re fine."
You know what this means, right? Sheed will get a tech if we get to game 7. You know he's got to reach his limit.
Maybe Perk can too, just to get it off his chest. Like once the game is in hand, he can turn to one of the refs and imply some sort of Delonte West-ing of his momma. I mean, why not at that point. We'll make it part of the celebration.
The rest of the links:
Herald: It's a steal for Rajon Rondo | A tip off the old block | Numbers don't lie | No choking hazzard with Bynum on court | Russell statue not a slam dunk | C's get an edge from tech | Shrek matchup: It's on like Donkey Kong | Kobe's beef: "I'm miserable" | Globe: Baby steps | Bynum hopeful | Lakers energy will need to be checked | Focus is on keeping tension from rising | Thought-provoking antics reflect C's history | Picked up pieces from Finals | Game 5 offshoot a four-gone conclusion | Rondo struggling from the line | Loose change paid off | ESPN Boston: More flop talk with Doc | WEEI: Odom: We have quickness and size to cover C's | C's-Lakers look ahead to game 5 | Thompson on Big Show: Celts "aren't as talented" | McHale on Big Show: C's must win "old style game" | Rondo's responsibility: Point Guard must fine hot hand | Phil on provoking T's: That's not fair play | Doc doesn't think this is the C's last run | CSNNE: Fast starter key to C's success | C's battle to control Lakers, their own tempers | MWDN: Courtside View: NBA Stars falling to Boston | Celtics still have home work