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.
After telling his team the Celtics were fourth-quarter chokers during a timeout in Game 5, a kinder, grayer Phil Jackson said Friday that perhaps the Finals should have been spread out a few more days. The last three games were played over five days, leading to an exhausting Game 7 for the Boston veterans, especially Rasheed Wallace, who nearly needed an oxygen tank.“It was a marathon,’’ said Jackson. “It was long, the flights back and forth cross-country. And playing games immediately after those long flights was physically exhausting.
“I think that, by the way, helped us win that sixth game by the large sum of points. The NBA would really step forward if they took another day between those long flights.
“I kept telling Kobe [Bryant], keep passing the ball for most of the game. But it still didn’t change. He was taking those shots. But he got it together in the fourth quarter. We had a good fourth quarter. It was nice to see.’’
Globe: Celtics looking at 2 year window / Basketball notes
Yeah, Sheed could have used an extra day... but he also could have busted his ass a little more earlier in the season to make sure he'd be ready "just in case." And besides, the Celtics benefited from the extended playoff schedule all the way up to that point.
The last thing I want to see even more time in between games. I love watching a first round playoff game on CSNNE and seeing the trivia start with something like "40 years ago today in Game 1 of the NBA Finals..."
I don't know why this rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe Phil Jackson can't open his damn mouth with out me wanting to force feed his words back to him. Smug bastard.
On Page 2: Really? It's been TEN YEARS???
Saturday marked the 10-year anniversary of one of the scarier moments in Celtics history when Paul Piercewas stabbed 11 times in the face, neck, and back during a private party at the Buzz Club in Boston's Theater District.
The incident occurred just days before the start of training camp for the 2000-01 season and shook an organization that was starting to turn the corner after landing Pierce with the 10th overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft.
Fortunately, Pierce recovered to play in all 82 games that season. By 2001-02, he earned the first of his eight All-Star Game nods and helped Boston return to the playoffs for the first time since the 1994-95 team (what's more, Boston advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals that year before falling to the New Jersey Nets).
ESPN Boston: 10 years later...
And he played all 82 games the FOLLOWING year.
He literally came within an inch of dying right before the start of training camp. Then he goes 2 full seasons without missing a game. That's a warrior.
I can't believe that it's been 10 years.
ESPN Boston: NBDL allocation change and the C's | Herald: Paul Pierce already back at it with Celtics | Nate Robinson looking forward to a full season with Celtics | Globe: Pierce's summer almost perfect | Pro Basketball Talk: KG is rested and healthy... fear the Celtics | ProJo: Celtics a blend of old and new