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.
"I think we could use another wing here, after losing Tony Allen (who signed with Memphis this summer). He was real valuable, what he brought in the playoffs. For the most part, I love our team. We're better now than we were in June. But also I think we need another piece if we're going to win it all and not just get there."
CSNNE: Pierce plays assistant GM during offseason
Paul Pierce clearly reads Red's Army because we made that same point a couple of weeks ago. The Celtics are thin at the 3. They're deep at guard and they're deep on the blocks... but if something should force Paul Pierce to miss time, all we've got in Marquis Daniels.
And to repeat my point about Quis: I like him... I like his game and I think this year, with the focused role, he's going to be much, much better. But he's injury prone. There's no other way to say it. It's not his fault, but his body just isn't reliable enough. We need one more guy in that 6'7"-6'9" range for insurance.
It's not a secret. It's been written in multiple places. Danny Ainge knows it too. Now it's just a wait-and-see to find out if that other wing gets added now... or mid-season.
On Page 2: The Lakers owner is excited about Shaq
"I think there's a lot of rivalry and a lot of emotions in these things. Shaq and Kobe have a little thing going as to who wins the most rings and so Shaq signing with Boston sets up a potential showdown. I like the drama, I think it's fabulous. You can't help but love Shaq. He's still Shaquille O'Neal. He's still a very funny man, sometimes he gets a little carried away in his analysis of former employers, but outside of that he's quite a guy and we look forward to [playing Boston]."
ESPN LA: Jerry Buss please with Lakers moves (via ESPN Boston)
There you go.
Take a look at that link, because Buss talks about a few things related to the Celtics... and he also talks about facing the Miami Heat and he says this about his Lakers:
I feel there's a good chance this could be the best team we've ever had."
He acknowledges that he might be getting carried away here... and he is. There's no way you can top those mid-80's teams. No way. Call me a softie who is romanticizing the past... but those mid-80's Lakers and Celtics teams were the pinnacle of the NBA. This is a good Lakers team... but let's not get out of control here.
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston: Shaq vs... Youk? | Say Cheese (part 1) | Say Cheese (part 2) | Herald: Pierce still likes Celtics in ever changing NBA | LeBron goes after Dan Gilbert | Big Baby doll | Globe: Pierce likes retooled Celtics | Nuggets, Anthony, mull future | Souza/MWDN: Pierce holds court after camp | Enterprise: Pierce sees growing trend in the NBA