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.
Doc: "It's tough for them to play right now. It's being called so tight right now. It's just a foul fest. I'm not certain everyone wants to watch that.
Dickerson: "You kind of expect that every preseason when they have this new emphasis on rules?"
Doc: "Yeah, I guess...whatever... it's frustrating to watch."
[...]
Reporter: "You guys are in midseason form with the techs though..."
Doc: "I don't think we are... Yeah... I don't know what you do. It is what it is."
Reporter: "I know you were joking... but that's two in two games for Von..."
Doc: "Yeah... Don't love it (long pause)... I'm just gonna stop there."
CSNNE: Celtics talk: Doc Rivers
This is what I was talking about when I said you didn't miss anything if you missed last night's game. From the starters coasting at the beginning... to the refs blowing the whistle every chance they got... to some of the typically ugly preseason basketball... this was not fun.
But the refs were very foul happy. I guess they felt the need to break in their whistles. And the new tech rules bit the C's in the ass when Nate, Von, and Pierce all got T'd up. That led to Doc just laughing on the sidelines at the quick trigger and Tommy saying during the broadcast:
"Technical fouls. you're right Doc... just what the fans want to see. A parade of technicals"
I think the league will back off the quick-trigger techs... but fans also don't want to see players bitching every trip down.
I'll tell ya... watching the World Basketball Championships this summer was fun because they let guys play. It's a more physical game, but the play moves. I don't want to be watching 72 combined free throws every night either.
It'll be interesting to see if Doc has to pay anything for those comments.
On Page 2: Delonte's back acts up again
"I came in at halftime and felt my lower back pinching," said West. "It's real minor, but the muscle back there was tightening up and I think the tension was pinching the nerve, maybe. It was real uncomfortable. You saw me out there stretching before I went in for the third quarter, I just couldn't move the way I wanted to. It's just precautionary... I got it massaged up and a little ice. Nothing to worry about."
ESPN Boston: Postgame notes: Delonte's back flares up
After seeing what Delonte and Nate teamed up to do in the second quarter, it'll be tough to go 10 games without him. And if this back issue doesn't get cleared up, those won't be the only 10 games he'll miss.
It's not a big deal now... but we all know how back issues go. They can be debilitating. And a little tweak one day can be a major issue another day.
So here's hoping this thing goes away soon. Delonte has already shown himself to be one of the most important players on this team... a guy capable of doing a lot of things for you and providing a spark off the bench. Not having him suited up would hurt.
The rest of the links:
Herald: Glen Davis, second unit mates, cut down Nets | Celtics happy to let Lakers, Heat receive hype | CSNNE: Celtics Talk: Paul Pierce | West ready to do it all for Celtics | ESPN Boston: Nice and 'Quisy | Globe: Daniels' outside shot lifts Celtics | Referees following new rules to a T | NJ.com: Celtics refuse to fade away | CSL Blog: Gang Green 4-1
