Monday afternoon linkage..
- Despite their offseason additions, it's clear that the Celtics are still missing Ray Allen, Shams Charania of RealGM writes. The C's have been careful not to burden Jason Terry with the responsibility of being Allen's replacement, but it's clear that he falls short in areas where Allen would shine. “It’s obvious they miss Allen. His shooting, his scoring. Terry is not the consistent shooter Ray was," one longtime advance scout and former assistant coach said.
- Wizards owner Ted Leonsis wrote an open letter to fans expressing support for the team's young players on his personal blog. While Leonsis says the club will look into making trades in order to help the club improve, he says the team "also must develop cohesion, chemistry and structure around a system with so many new and young players in the rotation."
- One hopeful Heat fan asked Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel if Miami could swing a trade for the Lakers' Pau Gasol. Such a deal would require Chris Bosh to make the number work and Bosh has proved to be far more willing to play the center position than Gasol.
- Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap offered up support for Blazers coach Terry Stotts, saying he's the perfect man for their "re-shaping" period, tweets Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com. The Bobcats are one game under .500 while Portland sits at 7-10.