The Morning Walkthrough is a set of links to Boston Celtics articles throughout the internet, designed to get your day started the right way.

Chris Forsberg, ESPN Boston – “If the Celtics learned anything last season, it’s that regular-season success is not a foolproof measure of postseason potential. But don’t misinterpret that mindset. Rivers has gone out of his way to stress that Boston won’t be satisfied to do what it did last year, playing .500 basketball over the final four months of the season, then flipping a switch while marching to the cusp of an NBA title. No, the Celtics covet as much regular-season success as they can get this season. And their quest began Tuesday. ‘Some of the things [Rivers] stressed [at a team dinner Monday] was that we can’t turn it on like we did last year,’ Celtics forward Kevin Garnett said. ‘There has to be more consistency, so that’s our primary focus, being consistent.’

Julian Benbow, Boston Globe – “After just one practice, that communication was the first thing that stuck out to Jermaine O’Neal. ‘One thing I saw today was that we are able to talk through everything, no matter what it is,’ he said. ‘If you make a mistake, we have so many veteran guys out here that can make up for the mistake that it works out in the long run. I knew about it, I played against it, I knew how they played. It was very physical, very direct. Everybody has to be on the same page for it to work and we hold everybody to a certain standard.’ It’s only one day, but Garnett said he and Jermaine O’Neal had chemistry. ‘J.O. and I haven’t played basketball with each other, but it felt like we have played with each other, if that makes any sense,’ Garnett said. ‘Just communication and our schemes. I think Jermaine’s going to find out things are a little more simple with the fact that we do help each other. We do share the ball here, and if a guy has it going, then we try to milk that guy. With the veterans that we have, it’s about consolidating the ball and making sure we’re consistent.”

A. Sherrod Blakely, CSNNE – “Filling in for an injured Kendrick Perkins, Jermaine provides the Celtics with a better option offensively. ‘He has great hands,’ Rajon Rondo told CSNNE.com. ‘I made a couple of bad passes, but he made some great plays in catching the ball.’ O’Neal has indeed shown the ability to score in the NBA, but he’s also proven himself to be a solid defender as well. Still, no one has a true sense of how well his skills will fit with the C’s because injuries in recent years have hindered O’Neal from playing at the All-Star level that symbolized most of his time with the Indiana Pacers. ‘You come to a situation like this and you play for one goal,’ O’Neal said. ‘When you’re coming through this league and you do it for so long and things happen, whether it’s injuries or whatever it may be . . . you tend to miss this . . . this good team chemistry, you miss this championship caliber [team], this championship conversation . . . you miss all of it. I really missed it. I don’t have any predetermined thoughts on what I need to be doing. but I’m going to play hard.’”

Rich Levine, CSNNE – “Most of the confusion actually stems from a conversation I had with Davis about 10 minutes before the quotes that got all the attention, so before we get to the controversial statement, here’s what happened before the cameras arrived and Davis went off. The question was about his jump shot, which was deadly down the stretch in 2009 but disappeared entirely last season. It’s not that Davis lost his touch either; he was just never in a position to use it. But with the addition of Shaq and Jermaine O’Neal, you’d expect this year to be different, so I wanted to know, despite his year-long sabbatical, if he had the jumper ready to go. ‘Most definitely,’ he said. ‘That was one of my most focal points this summer. Last year, with the addition of Rasheed [Wallace] I had to go to the five position, but this year we have power at the five position and a lot of guys that can play the forward spots, so I can go back to my natural position where, the year Kevin went out, I really found a groove.’ He was upbeat and optimistic, and I didn’t blame him.”

CSNNE – “‘When you’re a coach and you have a good group of guys, you want to extend that as long as you can. I have a great group of guys to coach,’ said Rivers. ‘Any team that involves Kevin Garnett on it, you probably should try to coach that team.’ And that is exactly what the players wanted, for Rivers to coach this team. ‘It just seems like me and him [were] meant to be with each other. We got the same birthday, we won a championship together, so it would be hard for me to play for another coach,’ said Pierce. ‘I know Doc wants that feeling back. He wants to get back to the Promised Land — finish on top,’ said Allen, who envies Robinson’s stature of a player who went out with a freshly crafted ring on his finger. With the admiration of his players and the desire to take another crack at an NBA title, Rivers needed only to convince his family. It turned out they were the ones doing the hard sell. Rivers’ children insisted he return to the bench in Boston, using their competitive nature to seal the deal. ‘We have a game in the backyard where we say you can’t leave the floor until you make the final shot,’ said Rivers. ‘That was what my young one said, ‘You didn’t make the final shot, Dad. You got to go back until you make the final shot.’ ‘”

Mark Murphy, Boston Herald – “‘However good shape you’re in, you’re never in Doc Rivers shape,’ Garnett said following a three-hour session in a gym that was so humid and hot, the coach later compared it to the old Boston Garden. But the conditions weren’t to blame for those who came to a dragging stop on the final whistle of the afternoon. ‘They didn’t hold up very well, honestly,’ Rivers said. ‘There was a lot of talking as you can tell from my voice. We won’t go three hours every day, but we needed it. I don’t think we’re in great shape personally. But I kind of anticipated that. We have to get in better shape.’”

A. Sherrod Blakely, CSNNE – “At one point during Tuesday’s practice, Boston Celtics big man Shaquille O’Neal yelled at Nate Robinson to get him the ball. Can you blame him? Every stop along his illustrious Hall-of-Fame bound career, the Big Fella has always been a Big Deal. Wherever O’Neal has gone, points — and lots of them — have followed.”

Gary Washburn, Boston Globe – “This is not to say that Celtics fans will see the vintage Garnett from five or six years ago. He will, however, be reminiscent of the Garnett who spearheaded the Celtics’ run to the NBA title in 2008. At age 34, Garnett realizes his limitations more than ever, but he is heartened by several factors this season. He is as healthy as he was two years ago, and with the additions of Jermaine O’Neal and Shaquille O’Neal and the development of Glen Davis, Garnett will not be relied upon to produce as he did three years ago. The years of him dominating the paint as a volume scorer and rebounder may have passed, but he should produce more of those vintage KG moments more often. He walked off the court yesterday with peace of mind, less concerned about his knee and more concerned about Shaquille O’Neal distracting him during his media session. He couldn’t stop laughing when O’Neal started dancing behind the camera, and he seemingly hasn’t stopped smiling since he reported to Waltham, Mass., and began working out with his teammates. ‘If you’re speaking on my injuries, I feel better obviously a year later,’ he said. ‘My body feels good, man. I took only one rest today. [Rajon] Rondo and I just kept communicating and talking. It was a good day, man.’”

Steve Bulpett, Boston Herald – “But Ainge believes that if Baby is unsure of his job description, the player has only himself to blame. ‘As far as his role, I think it’s a compliment to Glen that sometimes he plays inside, sometimes he plays outside,’ Ainge said. ‘I mean, (Shaquille O’Neal) knows his role because that’s what he’s always done. Jermaine (O’Neal) and KG (Kevin Garnett) and Glen are guys that sometimes roll, sometimes pop, sometimes play inside, sometimes play outside. That’s the greatness of those kind of guys. I think Glen’s strength is his versatility. That’s why he’s used in different ways. But his role I don’t think has changed that much, because he brings us energy and intensity and great defense off the bench. And whether he rolls or pops or whether he is guarding a center or a power forward, that’s just part of the game.’ … ’Today I was on the floor and playing with Shaq,’ Baby said. ‘Last year I was Shaq. I was the guy who always stayed on the post and battled down there. Today I was so focused on popping. I’ve got to get used to that again. I’ve got to get used to doing the things I did when KG went out. It’s good that I’m versatile. I’m not saying I can’t handle it. When I figure it out and get used to it again, I’ll be fine.’”

Frank Dell’Apa, Boston Globe – “‘Delonte is huge for us,’ said Celtics captain Paul Pierce, ‘because we lose a guy like Tony Allen — he’s our defensive stopper. We expect him to stop 2 guards, as well as play 1 guard. ‘We haven’t had anyone like that since he left. So I’m excited to get him. I wanted Delonte from the start.’ ‘I’ve grown, I’ve learned how to win, I’ve added a lot to my game,’ West said. ‘I know what I need to do to help a team win. I know who I am out there. And I haven’t even reached my prime yet. That, to me, is the scary thing about it. I think Boston got me at the right time. I’ve definitely learned the point guard duties, how to get the ball to our guys, and also to slow down a little bit. When I started, I was rushing, I always understood the game but I was playing a little too fast. I kind of found my tempo and, like I said, I’ve worked night in and night out to become a complete player. I really don’t have any weaknesses.’”

Mark Murphy, Boston Herald – “Rivers attended the games of his four kids and otherwise lived on the golf course – great therapy, obviously, if you can afford it. But not even those early seasons while he was coaching the Magic in Orlando were as difficult on his mental health. ‘Last year was a hard year,’ he said. ‘It was a hard year throughout. Probably the toughest I’ve gone through. But it was a good challenge. It was a hard year, with a lot of things, but I honestly think that’s what you have to expect. When you coach you have to get yourself into it. So I’m ready to go. Hell, once you decide to go back you get your rest and get ready. I’m ready. I think we have a chance to be special.’”

Steve Bulpett/Mark Murphy, Boston Herald – “Shaquille O’Neal might take a little getting used to. During one play late in the opening session of training camp yesterday at Salve Regina University, Shaq set a mild-mannered pick on Rajon Rondo, who instantly disappeared from radar. It took several minutes before the Celtics were able to establish visual contact with their point guard. Where Kendrick Perkins is regularly called for moving screens, O’Neal simply sets up and lets his size work for him. Opponents must take a $5 cab ride to get around and by.”

Adam Himmelsbach, The Free-Lance Star – “Former LSU star Chris Johnson has been invited to the Boston Celtics’ training camp. Although the Celtics’ official practices began yesterday, Johnson, who played professionally in Turkey and Poland last year, did not participate. The Celtics are awaiting a letter of clearance from FIBA Europe that will allow Johnson to play, Johnson’s agent, Eric Fleisher said. Fleisher said this is common practice involving players who join the NBA after playing overseas. ‘The request has been made by the Celtics,’ Fleisher said. ‘It has to go through appropriate channels with FIBA, with the Polish Federation and with the team he last played on.’”

Got a tip? An article you think should be included? Send an email to jayking@celticstown.com or hit me up on Twitter @CelticsTown.

The last thing you want when fighting for a roster spot is a tweaked ankle. That said, if Wafer really has been impressing all of the right people both on and off the court, the spot should be his. If it comes down to Wafer and Tony Gaffney, as I expect it will, Wafer’s undeniably the more developed talent. He’s already been a valuable sixth man in the NBA. He’s athletic, can shoot, and isn’t a bad defender. As Paul Pierce told the Boston Globe, “”I think he’s going to be an X-factor type of guy, who can give us a lift.”

Unlike Gaffney, Wafer isn’t really somebody to root for. He clashed with Rick Adelman. Left his Greek team after bumping heads with Coach Panagiotis Giannakis. Couldn’t find work last year when he returned to the NBA. Then again, maybe he IS someone to root for. Everybody loves the underdog, right? And Von Wafer has done a nice job turning himself into an underdog. If he can turn around his attitude and impress the coaches, Wafer earned his spot and our love. Especially now that he’s being forced to suck up his ego and run with the third team in practice.

The competition for 15th man will likely become Wafer’s well-rounded offensive game vs. Gaffney’s length and defensive tenacity. I just hope Wafer’s ankle has no effect on the results.

(Video from Celtics Hub)

Until I can waste six hours of every night watching NBA League Pass, the NBA season isn’t really back. For now, training camp will have to suffice. Here are a few storylines from the C’s first real practice.

Doc Rivers: Kevin Garnett looked phenomenal

Doc told WEEI that Kevin Garnett “was phenomenal, really, yeah. Explosive.” I was ready to dismiss the talk as the normal preseason hyperbole, when everybody looks like an MVP, but then I looked up Doc’s comments from last year. Here’s what he said about Garnett during last year’s preseason: ”The only part lacking is he’s not explosive yet, but it’ll come.”

If you ask Doc, it came. Just a year later. Scary, if you’re the rest of the NBA. And if you’re a Celtics fan? Erection-iffic.

Doc puts Big Baby in his place

Doc handled Big Baby’s complaints from yesterday perfectly: with an iron fist. “If Baby doesn’t know his role by now, he’s going to be sitting down a lot,” Rivers told ESPN. “I’ll just leave it that simple.” Rivers also added, “I think he’s living up to [his nickname] again.”

Big Baby, some advice: put that fat foot of yours in your hand, then insert it into your mouth. In the words of The Rock, know your role and shut your mouth. And what is Big Baby’s role? Whether he’s playing the four or five, it’s the same thing — he’s supposed to come off the bench and affect games with his energy. That’s it. It’s not rocket science.

Celtics aren’t in good shape

Don’t be alarmed by Doc’s observation that the Celtics weren’t in great shape today. It’s day one of training camp –they aren’t supposed to be. I was always one of the hardest-working players on my teams, but after the first day of practice I would inevitably be sucking on pondwater. Staying in shape over the offseason is one thing. Basketball practice is quite another. Within a week or two, everyone will be fine. Even Shaq. The Big Shamrock says he’s putting in extra work after hours, doing some yoga. Which means he’s already done more homework than Rasheed Wallace ever did.

Speaking of Shaq, Doc told WEEI, “Shaq was great, actually. He looked fine.” And Jermaine O’Neal, Doc? “He’s gonna help us.”

Who’s the starting center?

Nobody, yet. Both the O’Neal brothers (coined by me, stolen by Doc) took reps with the first team, but Doc hasn’t made a choice yet.

“What I don’t know with either guy,” he told ESPN, “is: How long can each sustain their play? I just don’t know that. I won’t even know that, maybe into the season. But we’ll figure it out.”

Shaq reasserted that he doesn’t care who starts. “Nope, my game is real limited,” he told WEEI. “I know to look for Garnett and to look for my shooters. I’ve always played with great big men and great shooters, so it’s no different.”

Always played with great big men, Shaq? What about when you started alongside Samaki Walker and Slava Medvedenko?

Bonus Coverage:

• Celtics Hub interviews Tony Gaffney.
• Doc Rivers’s full interview with WEEI.
• Shaq’s Q&A with WEEI.
• Paul Pierce on the O’Neal brothers’ ability to learn the playbook: “Believe it or not, most NBA teams run the same plays,” said Pierce. “Except maybe Phil Jackson with the triangle [offense], but [the O'Neals] are going to bring it each night on the offensive end. Picking up the defense will take a little time, but they’ll get it.”

Umm, yeah, that ball was cocked back all the way to his waist. Ike Nwamu, a 6’2 high schooler, stole Lebron’s dunk. Let’s hope he lets Lebron keep The Decision and the Game 5 disappearing act for himself.

1. Ray Allen on Shaq: “Just watching him and being around him, he’s still got a lot of passion for the game of basketball. The one thing I learned early is to get out of his way. He’s moving around well. He’s still getting up and blocking shots. I expect big things out of him. I think we’re going to ask him to do a lot for us.” All I ask is for a little effort — just a little — defending pick-and-rolls.
2. Ray on the team’s mentality going into training camp: “We kind of know what we’re made of as a team and as individuals. Now, when we talk about urgency, right now for us it’s preparation, commitment to the process.”That urgency will take shape as we get deeper into the season,” Allen said. “Right now, it’s a building process. Nothing’s guaranteed. We can’t come into this thinking that it’s going to make itself, it’s going to shape itself.”
3. Rajon Rondo, you know how I know you’re gay? Shaq kissed you on the cheek and you feigned breathlessness.
4. If Doc Rivers had left, said Paul Pierce, “we probably would have seen rebuilding here.” Thank you, lord, for blessing us with Doc’s return. Rebuilding is the mother of suck.
5. Semih Erden: “It was my dream to play with Shaq one day.”
6. Shaq interviewed with WEEI, saying he would have played for the Celtics for free if he had to. While discussing his season with the Cavs, Shaq revealed “we just faced a team that everybody counted out all year. You can never count out Mr. Garnett or The Truth, because those two guys, when they get mad, they’re unstoppable.”
7. One of these days I’m going to stop linking to Paul Pierce’s uninteresting blog. The only reason I do now is that Pierce was cut from his high school’s varsity team during his sophomore year. You know what that means? I was a better high school player than Pierce. Or something like that.
8. Nate Robinson, you are a clown.
9. A breakdown of Ray Allen’s free throw form. According to CelticsBlog, he “came into camp weighing around 206 lbs. Said he ran more this offseason than he ever has and is in excellent shape.”
10. Shaq spent time with some locals in Salem. I’m awed by any athlete who’s so gracious in speaking to fans. I went to a dinner last night and Boston College football star Mark Herzlich was there, giving his time to anyone but himself. I swear he introduced himself to every person there, shook hands with everyone, signed footballs until his wrist hurt, and had absolutely zero time alone or with his girlfriend. Herzlich’s grace was beyond impressive, and he’s only a college player for BC! I’m sure Shaq’s fans are twenty times as relentless, every single day of the year. That Shaq still smiles and enjoys his fans is a testament to his character.
11. Surprise, surprise! Baron Davis is at least slightly out of shape.

Got a tip? An article you think should be included? Send an email to jayking@celticstown.com or hit me up on Twitter @CelticsTown.

Ahh. Rondo’s abiding by the oldest saying in the book: when your jump shot’s broke, don’t do anything special to fix it. Why should we expect anything else? Why would we even WANT Rondo to do something special to fix his jumper? I mean, it’s not like he shot 21.2% from behind the arc last season. It’s not like defenders were able to sag off him and clog the lane. It’s not like Rondo gives Shaq a run for his money as the worst free throw shooter on the Celtics. It’s not like shooting is the only real flaw in Rondo’s game.

Wait a second…