Every once in a while, I link to a few articles from other writers around the internet. You know, I throw some dimes.

1. I thought Scal would win the dunk contest before I’d be afraid of Erick Dampier signing with a rival. But Dampier helps the Heat. They needed his size.
2. Chris Forsberg discusses the Jermaine O’Neal signing: “Regardless of whether he begins the season as a starter or not, O’Neal is likely to end it as a reserve. In many ways, he’s this year’s Rasheed Wallace, the aging veteran brought in at the reduced cost of the mid-level exception with hopes he can still play like someone who deserved $23 million last season.” O’Neal was paid $23 million last season, but I wouldn’t exactly say he deserved it. Let’s just hope he plays like someone who deserves the mid-level exception.
3. Kelly Dwyer compares Kevin Durant in today’s NBA to Kevin Garnett back in 1999. Dwyer says Durant is “not all that’s right with the NBA. He’s not a shining beacon to follow to shore. But he is something special. And he’s worth being giddy about. Don’t ever lose those sorts of good shudders, the ones that get you doing the pogo just thinking about next fall. And, possibly, next summer. Just keep an eye on the sky, with this guy, and prepare for anything. It might take a while, but it’ll be worth it.”
4. Scal is officially someone else’s whipping boy. Bulls By The Horns jokes, “The Bulls have inked Brian Scalabrine to a non-guaranteed deal, making any potential trade for [Carmelo] Anthony redundant. I mean, there’s only so much shooting and scoring a team needs, right?”
5. Paul Flannery argues that Pierce’s legacy as a Celtic was ensured by his contract extension. I would argue that it was already ensured before that, even though he’d look terrible in any other uniform.
6. Rajon Rondo’s Alcatraz adventure keeps looking cooler. If playing basketball at every jail is as fun, I might go ahead and get myself arrested.

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

A. Sherrod Blakely writes that the Celtics’ offseason additions symbolize a change in philosophy. According to Blakely, gone are the days of lockdown defense and shutting down opponents. The Celtics will still focus on stopping teams from scoring, but realize they’ll have to score more points themselves to win games. (CSNNE)

The moves made by the C’s this summer signal not just a new season, but a new vision for success.

Instead of relying so heavily on defensive stops to win, rendering teams defenseless against an onslaught of shooters will likely be their modus operandi for victories this season.

When you look at the pieces added this summer and those that are no longer around, it’s clear the C’s are looking to outshoot, and not necessarily shut down, opponents.

The Celtics have lost their resident around-the-basket banger, Kendrick Perkins (right knee), for most of the season. Replacing him in the starting lineup will likely be Jermaine O’Neal, a solid defender but a definite notch or two below Perkins.

Rasheed Wallace has called it career for the C’s, robbing Boston of one of the more underrated low post defenders of the past decade.

And his replacement?

Shaquille O’Neal, one of the most dominant offensive players of this generation whose defense . . . is what it is.

The Celtics’ defense on the perimeter isn’t all that much better, either.

I respect the hell out of A. Sherrod Blakely, but I couldn’t disagree more strongly with his assessment. The Celtics lost Perkins… but when the playoffs come around he’ll be in the lineup. The Celtics signed Jermaine O’Neal to replace Rasheed Wallace… and O’Neal is an infinitely better defender than the Sheed we saw most of last season. The Celtics lost Tony Allen… but reportedly tried their hardest to keep him, and replaced him with two players — Delonte West and Von Wafer — who are known as solid defenders.  Shaq sucks at the pick-and-roll… so Doc Rivers has spent the entire summer devising a way to hide that weakness.

The Celtics will still start Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo, two All-NBA-caliber defenders. When Perk comes back, there will be three All-Defense types in the lineup. The defensive mentality ain’t changing, folks. The Celtics are still going to shut people down. They’re still going to be out to take your heart and limit your scoring. My only concern is that the Celtics will miss Tom Thibodeau more than we realize.

I’m not going to lie. If Sheed keeps it up, he’s got a legit chance at winning a gold medal. What he lacks in the ideal size for a gymnast he makes up for with pure heart and perfect form.

Update: I really botched this post. Clearly, Sheed is the worst, laziest gymnast ever during all the pre-Olympic events. But once every four years he reaches into the bottom of his soul for a terrific routine and makes you wonder, “Damn, what if he worked that hard at gymnastics all year long?”

(h/t Doc Funk)

“If you’re going to have a guy on your bench, his name should be Brian Scalabrine because he’s phenomenal.” – Doc Rivers, May 20, 2010

I find no better place to start Brian Scalabrine’s player capsule than that single quote. Because there are many things Scal isn’t — in shape, an All-Star, and athletic are all things that instantly come to mind — but one thing he always was, no matter what, was unselfish. Read more »

One of Celtic fans favorite past-times this offseason: Wondering whether Rasheed Wallace will return to the team at some point. The man was just bought out, people! Yet Paul Pierce thinks Wallace might come back. Or, who knows, maybe Pierce was just joking. (Boston Globe)

After a few misses, Wallace drained a 25-footer, only to be nearly knocked down by a hundred screaming kids. Wallace loved the attention, smiling as much he had during the entire Celtics season.

“I told him go ahead man, do all you need to do, take the kids everywhere, we’ll see you in February,” Pierce joked about Wallace.

If Wallace does come back in February, I’ll throw my Larry Bird Indiana St. jersey in the trash. I really will. There’s no way the Celtics sign him for the stretch run, not when they picked up the Oneals and have Perk coming back sometime around February too. It just doesn’t make sense. The Celtics need a wing, not another over the hill big man.

P.S. – C’mon, Gary Washburn. I respect the hell out of you, but when you write “Wallace looked to be in great shape,” that’s when I know you’re lying.

In case Rasheed getting waived wasn’t enough to let you know, Sheed finally said himself that he is retiring. If I’m not mistaken, this is the first time he admitted it on record.

I’ll tell you what. You can get a good look at a butcher’s ass by sticking your head up there. But wouldn’t you rather to take his word for it?

Or something like that.