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.
But what really stood out was the sight of Kendrick Perkins, whiteboard in hand, drawing up a play for the second team (usually referred to as the White Team for their jerseys, as opposed to the starters, who wear green). The play was for Von Wafer to come off a back pick, but it didn’t go according to plan.
“We needed a 3 at the time,” coach Perk explained. “We were down six. So I went with a Doc play. We didn’t execute it right.”
This whole exercise was by design. It’s something Rivers learned from Mike Fratello when he played for him in Atlanta. “I saw something during the game,” Rivers said. “We came into the huddle and I said we’ve got to run this. We did it and we won the game, but that was the last time he let me do it.”
Rivers has tried this out with his players at various times — Gabe Pruitt called up a game-winner a few years back — and the benefits work both ways.
“You see a lot when you’re hurt and on the sidelines,” Perkins said. “You put yourself in the coach’s shoes and see what they’re going through. I’m just trying to install it in my head so when I get in there I won’t make the same mistakes.”
WEEI: Celtics practice what Doc preaches
You never want to see someone hurt. You don't want a key player to miss a significant amount of time. But if Perk learns a new aspect of the game while he's out, then he'll at least benefit from and learn from all this time off.
And maybe that new perspective will let him see why he gets busted for so many moving screens... or that he argues calls a little too much...
Perk is still a young guy. He's still got plenty to learn. And he's also not the most athletic person on the floor. So any mental edge he can get out there will help him get better. Any little trick or tip he can get... even if it's playing "coach" for a little while... will only serve to help him.
On Page 2: Tuesday's ticket is hotter than a Finals ticket
“There’s lots of excitement around the Heat,” he said. “They are driving ticket prices across the league anywhere from 20 (percent) to more than 70 percent for the season. The average price for the Celts-Heat game is $546.”
Christian Galvin, spokesman for TixList.com in Boston, said the Red Sox [team stats]’ failure to make the postseason and the Celtics reaching Game 7 of the NBA Finals last season against the Los Angeles Lakers is boosting interest in basketball.
“Fans want to see a winning team and the Sox were unable to do it,” he said. “We are due. We are ready for a winner.”
Sean Sullivan, the Celtics’ chief marketing officer, said the demand for a Celtics-Heat ticket for Tuesday’s game exceeds anything he’s seen in 15 years.
“This is by far the most in-demand ticket, even more so than last season’s finals,” he said. “It’s a combination of how close we came to winning it all last year, Shaq’s debut in green, and the Heat are probably the most talked about sports team in recent memory. It’s a stand alone sporting event.”
Herald: Celtics ticket sales get boost from LeBron James
$546 for a season opener?
I'm sorry... I know people have gone out of their way to get a ticket to Tuesday night's game... but this is a bit overboard.
It's going to be a spectacle. It's going to be exciting.
But it's a completely meaningless game. I'm sorry to say it... but the Celtics could win by 100 or lose by 100 and it wouldn't matter one bit.
Why not try to get tickets to the February 13 game when both teams are in a groove and we'll have a better idea of how they'll play each other? THAT will be a great game... and it will mean a lot more than Tuesday's game.
I'm sorry... I'm not trying to crap all over the hype of opening night. I'm just saying that dropping $546 for a ticket is a bit ridiculous. To say that the opening night ticket is hotter than a Finals ticket is very ridiculous.
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston: Practice notes: Players coach | Getting defensive | WEEI: Shaq solidifies spot with first team | Herald: Doc has a handle on it all | Doc allows team to run scrimmages | Shaq starts with smiles | Stackhouse adds depth to Heat | Wade practices for first time in 2 weeks | Globe: Running of the Bulls | Shaq cries foul on some GM's | Bucks pointed in right direction | They've got a handle on it | MWDN: Celtics Big 3 set an example for Heat trio | CSNNE: Preview: Boston Bench Mob | Video: Tommy & Shaq go 1 on 1 | Celtics Blog: Center of attention | North Station: I like Lawrence Frank