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.
While Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will take on James and Wade in the first unit, Rivers believes Marquis Daniels could make an impact defensively off the bench -- one that goes beyond Opening Night.
"He's huge. Marquis is key to us winning this year," Rivers said. "The better he plays, the better our team will be because it makes our bench better."
Daniels is eager to live up to his coach's praise. After missing the majority of last season (his first with the Celtics) due to injuries, Daniels feels he can be a serious contributor this time around.
"I thank Doc for thinking highly of me," he told CSNNE.com. "I've just got to come in and prove him right, just go out there and do everything he asks me to do."
Rivers: Daniels is key to us winning
It makes sense...
If Quisy comes in and plays well, then that's just ONE more option the Celtics have off the bench that will already feature Nate, Delonte, Baby, one of the O'Neals (or both when Perk is healthy). And we already know that Marquis is playing a pivotal position where the C's are their thinnest.
So yeah... if Marquis is ballin and playing great D backing up Paul Pierce... then the C's will be damn hard to beat. If your biggest weakness... a thin 3 spot backed up by an injury prone player... is coming through with great play, then you're going to be a damn good team.
On Page 2, the moment that changed Jermaine O'Neal's life
Associated Press photo
He was on his way home from the airport after a road trip when suddenly another car slammed into him. The Lexus O’Neal was driving flipped over and landed in a ditch, which was at that moment the least of his concerns. A far bigger problem was that his car was now on fire. Greater still, he was trapped.
As he drifted in and out of consciousness, O’Neal fought to escape the burning wreck, but the more he struggled, the more stuck he became.
“It was the strangest thing,” O’Neal said. “The way the dash broke, there was no way I could get out of there, at 6-foot-11, in a sports car.”
That was when something strange happened. To this day, O’Neal is at a loss to explain it fully, because he honestly has no idea. Someone, he does not know whom, came along and managed to pull him from the car to safety.
WEEI/Paul Flannery: The moment that changed Jermaine O'Neal's life
I've never heard this story before... and you've got to go read the whole thing.
Amazingly, the person who pulled him out of the burning car never came forward. Someone came along... pulled Jermaine O'Neal from the burning wreck... and drove off.
An amazing story. Again... check out the whole story about how it affected him. Great stuff.
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston: Semih's sore shoulder | Heat expect hostile environment | Pierce: Most pain gone, some still lingers | Video: Doc's prognosis for C's | Herald: A perfect fit in Green for Shaq | With Shaq, it's fun and games | Celtics prep for Heat, with or without key cog | Globe: In O'Neal, West finds key corner man | Delonte West repercussions | Pierce: One of our most talented teams | CSNNE: Celtics Preview: learning to deal without Perkins | 18 questions for the drive to 18 | Shaq used MMA training to prepare for season | MWDN: Shaq already making big impact | Almost time for the highly anticipated season opener