Hamilton Expected To Play

by dobbs on May 30, 2008 11:23 AM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

CSN's Greg Dickerson has a report from shootaround. He is reporting that Richard Hamilton is expected to play this evening in Game 6.

This is actually good news for Celtics fans as Hamilton is unlikely to be as effective with an injury to his shooting elbow, and I'd much rather a 50% Hamilton splitting time in the backcourt with a 100% Rodney Stuckey than for Stuckey to simply get all of the playing time.

::Update::

Quotes from Hamilton on playing tonight:

"I have no choice. This is do or die," Hamilton, who suffered a strained right elbow near the conclusion of the Pistons' Game 5 loss in Boston, said after the team's shootaround Friday.
After shooting with the team, Hamilton said he had discomfort in his right elbow, but would play through it.
"Once I get out there and the adrenaline is going, I'll be fine," Hamilton said. "I told my teammates, 'Don't look at me as handicap.' ... I'm fine. I'm ready to roll."

Not exactly confident statements. "I have no choice"..."Discomfort"..."Don't look at me as a handicap."

While you never root for injuries, Rip doesn't sound anywhere near full strength. Hopefully the Celtics can capitalize and move forward to Armageddon versus the Lakers.

-Green17

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Comments

“Injury to his shooting elbow”? Hey Dobbs, I have a bridge that you might be interested in buying. ;)

by Eeyore III on May 30, 2008 11:32 AM EDT reply actions

He wasn’t faking. I was at the game. He’s legitimately hurt and isn’t just doing his usual embellishment routine.

by dobbs on May 30, 2008 11:37 AM EDT reply actions

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The Detroit Pistons and their fans received good news Friday after Richard Hamilton proclaimed himself “ready to go” for Detroit’s must-win Game 6 tonight against the Boston Celtics.

“I have no choice. This is do or die,” Hamilton, who suffered a strained right elbow near the conclusion of the Pistons’ Game 5 loss in Boston, said after the team’s shootaround Friday.

After shooting with the team, Hamilton said he had discomfort in his right elbow, but would play through it.

“Once I get out there and the adrenaline is going, I’ll be fine,” Hamilton said. “I told my teammates, ’Don’t look at me as handicap.’ … I’m fine. I’m ready to roll.”

Detroit’s leading scorer strained his elbow in the final seconds of Boston’s 106-102 win on Wednesday night. X-rays were negative, and Hamilton’s arm was in a sling as he left the arena. He finished with 25 points.

Detroit needs a win to extend the Eastern Conference finals to a seventh game. Hamilton is averaging 21.7 points, seven more points than any teammate in the playoffs.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

by mcpu40 on May 30, 2008 11:55 AM EDT reply actions

I agree, I’d much rather see Hamilton in the state he is in right now. Stuckey scares me sometimes. :o

by ejk3489 on May 30, 2008 11:55 AM EDT reply actions

2 things the celts need to do tonight. one is attacking hamilton’s injured elbow with a hard foul or 2. secondly is to goad sheed into having a technical foul called on him which would be an automatic suspension for game 7.

by dwjones54 on May 30, 2008 12:56 PM EDT reply actions