KG's Surgery On Hold

by Jeff Clark on Apr 22, 2009 8:17 AM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

The latest update on Kevin Garnett is that the team has convinced him to put off surgery because there's a small chance that he might still be able to come back. Bulpett reports:

What has changed is Garnett's surgery timetable. He now agrees with the team and will wait until every possible avenue to get him back in these playoffs has been exhausted.

"He's not going to do it right now," Rivers said of the procedure. "He was looking and searching for it and then he just decided to wait."

While the level of hope that Garnett might play again this season appears to have moved more often than a weather vane on the coast, Rivers insists that’s not the case.

“All I’m saying is that we’re still looking at this the same way we did last week,” he said. “But if he can come back, then we’d obviously take that. I still don’t think he can, but why would you ever want to take away that possibility?”

I'll make a very large, very important disclaimer here - I have no more information than I've passed along to you on this blog and I have no skill or insight in the world of medical issues.

With that said, a very large part of me wants KG to get the surgery done now. I'm fine with the fact that they waited till the playoffs to see if it would be good to go. But now that we know he'll need more time, it would seem wiser to just shut him down, get him fixed up, and pray that he'll be good to go for next year and beyond.

The stated reason for holding off is because there's still a small chance he could make it back and help us win. Ok fine. But isn't there a chance that he could come back and make the injury much, much worse? Or injure something else because he's overcompensating too much? Again, I'm no expert, but I have to wonder if Leon's latest injury has something to do with pushing to get back for the playoffs. Now he's on the shelf for 6 - 8 months.

I guess the real message I want to get across here is that this whole business makes me very, very nervous. I understand as well as anyone that our window of opportunity is very small, and you take any chance you've got at a title. But weighing the odds, with what information I have, I'd rather just close the book on KG this year and go the rest of the way without him.

I suppose part of it is psychological. I've already come to terms with the possibility of losing him for this year's playoffs. The constant updates and hints at leaving the door cracked open are driving me bonkers. It is like breaking up with someone who strings you along because they don't want to hurt your feelings; but in the end you just get more twisted up and drained than if you just cut things off.

Anyway, here's hoping that the team and Kevin and all the medical people involved are making the best decisions for Kevin and the team (in that order). That's about all we can do right now.

(p.s. Isn't it sad that three straight posts this morning had everything to do with injuries and very little to do with basketball? That's our 2009 Celtics!)

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Comments

Nice one there

Good job on the comparison with love. It’s spot on.

KG & co are leaving us hanging :’(

We need closure damnit ;)

- Dirk 'DaarisDirk' van Boxtel

by Kiorrik on Apr 22, 2009 8:26 AM EDT reply actions

I totally agree, Jeff. I’d be fine with shutting Garnett down right now and getting this thing fixed for the longer-term. The point about a compensatory injury is VERY well taken.

by CoachBo on Apr 22, 2009 8:28 AM EDT reply actions

yup

Agreed Jeff. I hate that we’re even still discussing the pipe dream here.

I’m 40, overweight and have bad knees, but there’s a chance an MLB team might still give me a chance at a career as a backup catcher. There’s hope yet, right?

OK, apples and oranges, a bit, but we need to let it go. Even if KG can play, there’s no way he’s not putting himself at further risk by doing so.

Get em nest year!

by redzdeadbabyredzdead on Apr 22, 2009 8:30 AM EDT reply actions

Being a Celtic Fan is PAINFUL

no pun intended,

It just makes no sense, Were the walking wounded of M*A*S*H I hate to say. What’s next Lucky (Klinger) returns to the garden and puts on a uniform to play.

Watching the Celtics/Bulls series has been very painful to say the least.

It would be best if the whole team shuts it down for the season and we regroup next season.

by Ancient Red on Apr 22, 2009 8:35 AM EDT reply actions

actual injury

how do we say one way or the other without knowing the exact injury?

If they are right and the main injury is a strained tendon, then I waiting seems like the right thing to do.

It might be the right thing to do even if we were already in the off season and playing wasn’t even part of the equation. They might want to let that injury heal (which is what they are saying is the treatment for a strained tendon) before they go in there anyway.

I don’t see how we say “wait” or “don’t wait” without knowing what exactly is going on with the knee.

by winsomme on Apr 22, 2009 8:40 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I pretty much agree...

By all indications, this isn’t an ACL or MCL injury. I’m not sure how long the tendon would take to heal, even with surgery, but if they’re diagnosing this properly, it shouldn’t impact KG next season, regardless of whether he gets the surgery now or after the playoffs. There’s always the possibility of a misdiagnosis, of course, but if the team is right, this shouldn’t be that big of a deal.

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

by Roy_Hobbs on Apr 22, 2009 8:57 AM EDT up reply actions

By the way

… is all of this the result of being a championship team?

If you think about it, everyone will bring their a-game, all the energy they can and their foulest and most devious tricks to win against us?

I’d imagine us getting banged up being a logical result of our 17th banner.

- Dirk 'DaarisDirk' van Boxtel

by Kiorrik on Apr 22, 2009 8:41 AM EDT reply actions

waiting is ok

there’s enough time for KG to heal even if you wait until after the ecf or finals should we somehow be fortunate to get there. realistically though if he can’t play in the ECF you may as well shedule the surgery because we’re not getting past the cavs without him AND Leon. Leon was a force against both the cavs and the lakers.

by Red2 on Apr 22, 2009 8:52 AM EDT reply actions

don't be silly, Jeff

how can any Celtics fan be rooting for KG to just shut it down?? If the team and its professional trainers were a hundred percent certain he couldn’t come back safely, they’d send him to the surgical table. As long as there is even a chance for him to come back, we should all be rooting for that.

COME ON KG!!! HEAL!!!! HEAL, DAMN YOU!!!

by celticsmaniac on Apr 22, 2009 9:46 AM EDT reply actions

So he tries to play again, aggravates the injury (or injures his other knee trying to compensate for the pain) and misses the first few months of the 2009-2010 season.

by Brickowski on Apr 22, 2009 9:59 AM EDT reply actions

so?

let him. you don’t get eliminated from the playoffs in november or december.

God bless and good night!

by BrickJames on Apr 22, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah...

…who cares if delaying the surgery a month or two means that he has to miss the first couple months of next season? As long as he’s healthy by the all-star break, we’re good to go.

by DJ_Hoops on Apr 22, 2009 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Money Money Money

If I were paying his huge salary, I would be making the decision not Kevin.

With Kevin not at close to full speed, -— PO gone, -— Scal doubtful he could help --, Mikki “The Ganja Foul Machine” looking worse every game and Marbury looking “uneventful” we have such a diminshed chance of pulling off any upsets the choice is ovious. Keep Kevin strapped in his chair, let Scal rest his noggin, and hope we do the right thing by Leon Powe and BBD this summer

Enjoy the remaining games for what they are and see where fate takes us

Peace

Is it Soup Yet?

by Master Po on Apr 22, 2009 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

fair point about the salary

it is the Celtics risk as much as it is Kevin’s so they have a big say in the decision

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V

by Jeff Clark on Apr 22, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I don’t agree. By most indications, KG will hurt it anymore by trying to play. And as said, in the event that he does and he misses the early part of next season, oh well. I’d rather keep that small glimmer of hope that just give up. Because let’s face it. Without KG, we have NO chance of repeating. None. With KG, it still might only be 5% but that’s better than 0%.

by droopdog7 on Apr 22, 2009 10:44 AM EDT reply actions

All these speculations are futile

As long as we have no idea of what KG injury actually is. I don’t believe the team reports – including the most recent one, the “bone spur that needs surgery but it’s not the cause of a persistent tendon inflammation that it’s the reason he can’t play”. Doesn’t make sense whatsoever: are they going to perform surgery on the bone spur just for the fun of it? The inflammation won’t go away after so many rest? A couple of cortisone shots don’t work? Weird.

by cordobes on Apr 22, 2009 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

This is no "sprained knee"

If this were just a “sprained knee”…KG would`ve been playing pain-free for over a month now!

Something more serious is clearly going on.

The only way he`d be coming back to play in the playoffs….is if the Celts next three opponents were the Wizzards, Knicks, and Clippers. In other words, three teams that we might have a shot at actually beating.

The reality is….we`ll win, at best, one more game against the Bulls, and that`s if we`re lucky!.

by Title 18 on Apr 22, 2009 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

You're funny

You have little faith in the Celtics, I see. : \

by Tai on Apr 22, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Have Some Faith

There is a difference between analyzing the team’s chances and simply rooting for them as a fan. Objectively, the Celtics are in deep *&%$. No KG, No Powe, Rondo’s ankle, Scal returning at less than 100%, etc… We can all agree that it does not look good for another championship. BUT…….there is no need for the morose negativity that some are displaying here. My god, the C’s won 62 games with their best player, and one of the best players in the NBA, gone for 25 games plus, as well as the loss of TA, Scal and Powe for parts of the season. What they have accomplished is remarkable and the Cavs, Lakers and Magic would not be in the positions they are in if LeBron, Kobie or Dwight went down for the season and playoffs. I am smart enough to know that we face long odds, but I love watching the team that is out on the floor and will not write them off this season. They are playing with heart and pride. And I do think that they can win a championship this year. That is the beauty of sports. Anything can happen. So, if folks want to analyze our chances in an honest way, I am all for it. But spare the rest of us the pessimism and throwing in the towel after 2 games!!

by JPV on Apr 22, 2009 2:37 PM EDT reply actions

Sorry for the negativity...

99.99% of it is sheer anger regarding all the injuries!

I saw the Celts lose titles due to injuries in 1973, 1982, 1985, and 1987.
I was hoping I had seen the last of it.
Apparently, not!

by Title 18 on Apr 22, 2009 2:55 PM EDT reply actions

should have had the

surgery right after the injury in Utah.

by The Real Large James 2 on Apr 22, 2009 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

You can't

be serious..

Being a Celtic Fan is PAINFUL

no pun intended,

It just makes no sense, Were the walking wounded of M*A*S*H I hate to say. What’s next Lucky (Klinger) returns to the garden and puts on a uniform to play.

Watching the Celtics/Bulls series has been very painful to say the least.

It would be best if the whole team shuts it down for the season and we regroup next season.

by Ancient Red

have some pride for your team. just because KG isn’t playing nor powe doesnt mean this team is done for the season. im sorry but this comment was just really, realy horrible.

by LakerFanNotACelticHater on Apr 22, 2009 6:27 PM EDT reply actions