You have to wonder if he’ll be 100% for the start of the playoffs? no, hes not going to be 100% at all in the playoffs, youd have to be crazy to think otherwise…you gotta wonder if he should or will play at all, and if he does how effective he’ll even be.

this is all getting extremely annoying, was this not originally a 2-3 week injury? lol, KG is done for the year, if he comes back hes risking his career

We should be fine in the first round, let’s try to get him completely better. If he is not 100% by then he should at least be more ready to play. Even if he can’t go a whole game he should still be able to help.

I don`t expect him to play in the first round…I think they will hold him out as long as possible…

Honestly I’m not really liking our chances mostly because we won’t have home court against the Cavs. The home team really has a HUGE advantage ( and I’m not even counting the natural tendency for the refs to give the home team a few more calls), especially when both teams are just as good as each other for the most part. In addition, both of these teams have trouble winning on the road against each other. So the edge has to go to the Cavs there since they’ll have more home games.

A lot of people have been downplaying the home court advantage ever since we were out of the running for it — I just don’t see how you can do that.

The concern with holding him out of the 1st round is the extra burden placed on PP and Ray to get to round 2. If KG comes back for round 2, PP and Ray are that much more drained. If they get to CLE, they’ll be running on fumes.

Hindsight being 20/20, if this could have been addressed by a minor scope surgery 2 months ago, they should have bitten the bullet and done it to get him up to speed sooner.

If he’s done for the year, should have taken care of it sooner to get him recovered in time for training camp next year with as much summer rehab time as possible.

the next word from the team is “done for the year”…actually, he may even play in the first game, but there’s NO WAY he contributes anything substantial. There may be a 5% chance that this is just somewhat of a smokescreen by the tem, and he is actually capable of playing, but i doubt it. Theres no question they wanted to bring him back before the playoffs started. I consider the team lucky if they make it to the ECF.

Powe (right knee), who has been out for 11 games, could be available against the Sixers, Rivers said.

there is absolutely no evidence that he will not be back to 75-80% by game 1 of the first round. Yea, they were originally saying they would play him in the last regular season game but a few things changed since then. 1) they clinched the 2nd seed. 2) the rest of the team clearly showed that they don’t want to play any more regular season games since clinching that 2nd seed.

if the team really thinks, as some people here do, that kg is done and the repeat chances are over, then they did the right thing by helping the cavs keep hoe court vs the lakers yesterday

While it’s certainly possible that KG’s injury is more serious than the C’s initially thought, I certainly don’t think the C’s are intentionally hiding the seriousness of the injury. Why? For the simple reason that it accomplishes next to nothing. It’d be one thing if the C’s were going into the ECF and Perkins was 50/50 and they used deception to make the Cavs think that he’s playing when he really isn’t so that they prepare for him rather than Baby or Powe at the middle. But if KG really is done, what good is it doing pretending he’s going to come back? The C’s will make it out of the first round with or without KG. Then after that, what good does making the Magic or Cavs think he’s going to come back do? Absolutely nothing. Having them prepare for KG and then finding Big Baby there isn’t going to throw a wrench in their game plan.

Seems to me that whatever this injury is, it gives Kevin great pain to play basketball on it. I can’t see him coming back at even 80%. If that was possible, it would have happened already.

I just hope KG doesn’t do permanent damage trying to make this playoff run on one good leg and copious amounts of painkillers for the other.

we are all avid celtics fans, so we are likely to be a litte cynical(or a lot), but these constant changes are extremely discouraging. I mean, the guy actually came back, and now his return keeps getting pushed back…it just doesn’t look good. I feel like the blow will be somewhat softened when they officially shut him down, but it’s still going to be deflating….

here’s to hoping that I’m way off base

Disappointing and worrying news.

It would have been great to have seen KG play some type of minutes before the postseason started. Ah well.

Did they even practice today? I’d be more worried if they determined after a practice that he wasn’t good to go. Sounds like they’re going to have some pretty heavy duty practice time and that Garnett will participate. I also have to wonder if they expect Ray to be suspended at least one game (maybe two) and don’t see the point playing him if all the starters won’t be there.

First Kevin McHale and Robert Parrish.. now I guess Kevin Garnett is not walking through that door either.

for some fans.

Its KG guys…this is a guy people heap praise on for being the most passionate basketball ever, it would be nearly impossible to keep him off the court this long…theres obviously something seriously wrong

The injury is obviously more serious than we were led to believe. The sensible thing is to shut KG down for the year and hipe he can come back next year. That’s what they should have done with Bird’s back and McHale’s foot.

All this rampant negativity is spawned from the constantly changing timetable and fans nervousness from lack of clarity.

We know what is wrong with KG – he is having re-occurring swelling from the injury that may or may not require a minor scope after the season. They’ve been trying to figure out a way to manage the swelling in order to maximize what they get out of KG come playoff time.

We know that his knee cannot sustain further structural damage, but that it also limits his mobility if the swelling gets to a certain level.

All i’ve seen from this organization is a constant evaluation process with an end-goal of determining how much KG can give them per-game with a mind toward having him available and effective when it matters most.

We know he is practicing and doing active leg-work, so the fact he’s not playing in these games is irrelevant in my opinion because he’s putting physical stress on the injured area and that indicates a level of progression that suggests actually playing is likely.

What we don’t yet know is how the leg will react to continual use, which I’d imagine the medical staff has been working on determining through the testing they’ve been putting KG through.

My guess is that the team will have a plan for using him that involves situational usage and rest based off the need to have him in the game relative to the competition and situation in each series.

While KG may not be “100%” it is his leadership on the court that is most valuable – the team plays superior defense when he is present – they don’t need his scoring or rebounding as much as they need his voice to lead their defense.

Leon Powe’s return IS big, because it gives Boston 3 healthy and highly productive big men in Perkins, Powe, and Davis. As good as Davis and Perkins have been, they haven’t each been great in every game, so having 3 shots at getting 2 quality performances is a huge lift.

If you add in an available and functional KG – at any level – you will get a 17 foot jumper, good positional defense, and an active voice keeping everyone to task.

I fully expect KG to play throughout the playoffs and for his presence to raise the level of play for this team – I also expect a 5 big man rotation of Perk/KG, Davis/Powe and Moore to give this team enough to compete in any playoff series with a chance to win – they don’t NEED 40 minutes of KG at 100% IMO, they need the full complement of players available to play SOME role and that will suffice to give the team a chance to win.

Most of the responses on this thread smack of abject pessimism in light of yesterday’s embarassing loss to the Cavs – however, it is virtually the same roster that outscored Cleveland by 30 points, (-18 at the FT line) less than 6 weeks ago.

Home court matters, but it isn’t magical — Boston will have another level in the playoffs when urgency is highest in both teams – Cleveland is formidable, but they are not more talented or more capable than this Celtics team – it’ll come down to who is playing and at what level come ECF….

…I still like this teams chances if they have all hands on deck – I’ll take 20 minutes of KG a night if it means we start and finish games with him on the court…Boston is too good not to be in a majority of games coming into the 4th quarter – if Powe, Davis, and company get then there, KG and the big boys can take it home….

…if you don’t believe it…..stop watching the games now and we’ll see you in October..

1} KG will not be needed at all in round one of playoffs.
2} Ease KG slowly into action in round one, and the rust will be off by ECF.
3} Confuse the enemy, let them think he`s more injured than he is.
4} I sense that Doc & Danny are playing “head games” with Cleve. & LA.
5} The breaks tend to even out…so it`s time to see injuries hit people like Gasol, Mo Williams, Odom—-if not actually Kobe & LeBron!

Just be patient…let the Celts slowly stretch the post season for a few weeks… and watch the “bad karma” hit their foes at the worst possible time!

When KG came back for a few games last month…how many of you said, “he looks horrible”, or “he has no mobility”?

None of you, right?
In fact, he didn`t really look bad at all.

So, there`s nothing wrong about giving his 32 year old body more rest, after seeing what he could do last month.

Allow KG to “empty his tank” in the playoffs only.

Just saying that I don`t believe he`s ailing anywhere near as bad as most assume.

Celts have been the “hunted” since at least Jan., of 2008. That wears on you. It`s exhausting, and not fun at all.

Let the fools write them off, as the Celts fly a bit under the radar.
The pressure is off somewhat, plus they are being a bit disrespected now.

I remember all the injuries in 1987, and I knew all along it would end badly. I don`t have that same feeling this time.

Never underestimate the heart of a champion!

Just seems like they’re withholding alot of information. We shall see….

The loss yesterday at Cleveland has most posters freaked out. Relax. Let’s assume KG is out for the playoffs, which I believe he is. Powe and Davis can make up KG’s production. They both bring muscle and take up a lot of room. Davis can shoot and Powe can get inside. If they can play some defense, then the loss of KG is minimal. I know, I know. Having KG with BOTH these guys gives us the best chance of winning. Of course. But the combination of Powe and Davis can bring it as close to KG as possible. The key will actually be the play of Moore and Walker in spelling those two. Otherwise, player for player, we are the best team in the league. I think we underestimate this team, even with the terrible loss on Sunday. Lebtron will be a force, but how will West and Williams hold up through the grueling pressure of the playoffs and the consistent quality of the opponent. We will be in the finals, and we will not be playing the Lakers. Ironic, given all the talk about home court advantage…..Celtic Pride.

—Besides LBJ, does anyone on the Cavs really scare or impress you?

—How many titles has LBJ led his team to?

—Ben Wallace is out for the year. Yeah, it may not be key, but it could just be the start of “adversity” for our various rivals. Again, the breaks do have a way of evening out.

—How titles have Gasol, Odom, or Bynum won? How many has Kobe won as “The Man”? The ones in 2000-2002 belonged to Shaq.

—When the injured Celts of 1987 were robbed of a title, their injured front-court {McHale, Walton, Bird, Parish} were all between 30-34 years old. In contrast, Powe is young and will be ready, while Baby is all the way back.

—Does anyone really think Doc would go out on a limb say last week and say KG would play in the post-season, if it weren`t true? Remember, KG suffered a sprained knee. It requires only rest. It`s NOT anything that even begins to approch Tom Brady`s injury!

—Finally, do you honestly feel any team really wants to meet the Celts in a playoff series? Not a chance!

Good luck trying to eliminate the Celts 4 times in 7 games. The Celts have experience, depth, 3 Hall Of Famers, they play as a team for the full 48 minutes, and play the best defense in the NBA on a nightly basis. Paul-KG-Ray have 1 ring, and that has only made them hungrier for even more!!!!

—Besides LBJ, does anyone on the Cavs really scare or impress you?

Yes. Mo Williams, Delonte West, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao impress me.

—How many titles has LBJ led his team to?

He’s only one title behind Pierce.

—Ben Wallace is out for the year. Yeah, it may not be key, but it could just be the start of "adversity" for our various rivals. Again, the breaks do have a way of evening out.

Good teams make their own breaks

—How titles have Gasol, Odom, or Bynum won? How many has Kobe won as "The Man"? The ones in 2000-2002 belonged to Shaq.

Well, the 2008 title belonged to Garnett, not Pierce. How many have Pierce, Allen or Garnett won as “the man?”

—When the injured Celts of 1987 were robbed of a title, their injured front-court {McHale, Walton, Bird, Parish} were all between 30-34 years old. In contrast, Powe is young and will be ready, while Baby is all the way back.

So you are comparing Powe and BBD to McHale and Bird? Bird is probably better right now than either Powe or BBD, and Bird is 50 years old.

—Does anyone really think Doc would go out on a limb say last week and say KG would play in the post-season, if it weren`t true? Remember, KG suffered a sprained knee. It requires only rest. It`s NOT anything that even begins to approch Tom Brady`s injury!

Yes!! I think Doc would lie in a heartbeat. As for Brady’s injury, I didn’t notice New England in the playoffs this year.

—Finally, do you honestly feel any team really wants to meet the Celts in a playoff series? Not a chance!

The Cavs fear no one.

The constant changes to the changes in KG’s status are making my head spin. Can the playoffs just start already? I’m hoping he’s ready to go and fully contribute all the way. But if he’s not then he’s not. The team will roll with what they have regardless. I refuse to stress about it. Its not going to change the outcome.

In 1976, Cleveland`s main man {Jim Chones} went down with an injury just before the ECF against Boston.

Celts won, 4-2…then won a title.

History will be repeated 33 years later!

But don’t overlook the fact that we can get Leon and Scal back. Remember we are playing with 2.5 bigs, any extra bigs to take minutes away from Moore is a good thing.

Oh yeah, stop the BIll Walker at PF BS, he doesn’t have the length or the strength to play big. Heck, I think he is overrated too. People kept saying he has a high basketball IQ, but the only thing I see him do is dunk and foul.

This is the 40th anniverary of the Celts 7th game win in the Forum, the night the balloons never left the rafters!

The Celts were 48-34 that year…and everyone wrote them off as a serious title threat.

That was the year Baltimore or NY would keep them out of the Finals, and LA would surely defeat them if they did get that far.

Just substitute the Cavs & Magic {instead of Bullets & Knicks}, and we`ve got the same situation today.

We`ll also have the same outcome!

In the 1984 Finals, the Lakers literally ran the Celtics out of the Forun winning by 33 points. Bird was upset with the team’s effort and called the team “a bunch of ssi——-” . The Celtics responded and took banner 15. Is there this type of leadership in the locker room?

This may be the beginning of another 19-2 winning streak for the Celtics.