To Play or Not to Play

by Greg Payne on Feb 7, 2010 11:58 AM EST in Boston Celtics Articles

Paul Pierce proclaimed yesterday that he's 'good to go' for today's game against the Orlando Magic. He also admitted that his foot is not yet at 100 percent, but that he could still play on it.

Doc Rivers, on the other hand, gave no assurances that Pierce would see action today, and the same goes for Marquis Daniels, who might finally be ready to return from his thumb injury.

However, with two games left before the All-Star break and a week off looming, is it necessary that these two play today? Both are "gamers", meaning they're more than willing to play through pain if it means playing at all, but is two games enough for either player to develop a legitimate rhythm, which they will more than likely lose over the All-Star break anyway?

Given the Celtics' recent struggles and a not so impressive three-game winning streak, will they really prove that much with victories over the Magic today and a Chris Paul-less Hornets squad on Wednesday? Surely they should do all they can to win the games, but is it worth playing Pierce and Daniels for two games when they might not be completely healthy yet? Especially considering the team is THISCLOSE to finally sporting a roster with a clean bill of health?

As much as I love watching Pierce and Daniels play, I can't help but think the C's should just suck it up for two more games, take the rest that the All-Star break will provide, sure up their players, and come back post All-Star break (fully healthy) ready to become the dominant team we expected them to be all along.

So, what do you guys think?

Poll

Should Paul Pierce and Marquis Daniels play against the Magic today?

Yes

239 votes

No

200 votes

439 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Please add

( ) Only if they’re really ready (healthy)

……‘Cept if you do that, nobody’ll vote for the other two

by DRJ1 on Feb 7, 2010 12:01 PM EST reply actions

Well

I sort of set up in the article that they’re not totally healthy yet, so I put the poll out there with a basic yes or no, knowing that they’re not totally healthy yet. I see where you’re coming from, though.

by Greg Payne on Feb 7, 2010 12:03 PM EST up reply actions

If they're healthy yes, go for it

Daniels I think is rusty and more out of shape than anything.

Pierce I think should sit so more, but its his body. I trust Doc and the trainers to hold him back.

by Fafnir on Feb 7, 2010 12:02 PM EST reply actions

Marquis should really play today.

Doc said he was physically OK and had no pain so it’s just a question of getting back into rythm and game shape, and starting today will help him, so let Marquis play (definitely excited to see him back in action, it’s been a loooong time!).

As for Pierce… he is probably not 100% healthy and should rest but I guess he will be OK and will play anyway so let’s hope he won’t get injured in this game.

by Drucci on Feb 7, 2010 12:03 PM EST reply actions

Important game

This is a big game. There are 34 games left, and we have a one game lead over Orlando. We are probably not going to catch Cleveland, so the #2 seed should be our goal for the regular season at this point. We certainly do not want to see ATL in the 2nd round. We can take a two game lead over ORL today with a W, and lead the season series against them 2-1.

Let’s see what these guys have. If they are not effective, you adjust as you go. But I think this game is important enough to give it everything we have. All year, we are worried about minutes, health….obviously this team is doing the Spurs dance…..biding their time, wanting to be healthy and fresh for the playoffs. I think it’s time for these guys to strap it on and go out and get a win today. It would be good for their confidence, for the standings, and we could go into the break on a winning streak, and feeling good about ourselves. this team has been surrounded by negativity lately. GET the W!!!!

by bewareofdware on Feb 7, 2010 12:27 PM EST reply actions

Let them both rest and heal until after the allstar game

We need both Daniels and Pierce healthy and can not take the chance of them coming back prematurely and hurting themselves long term.

I know its a big game and they will probably want to play so lets see what happens.

by fordescort on Feb 7, 2010 12:45 PM EST reply actions

They should play of course. For how long is another matter. Daniels looked pretty convincing to me from the start of the preseason so I’m not that negative about him getting in rhythm. Pierce could always step up in important games, I don’t think it will be problem for him. Maybe 20 minutes for both of them will be enough.
But for me it’s much more important how Ray Allen shoots against an elite team. It’s one thing to score 20 against the Wizards and the Nets but tonight he can prove that he still can do it. It’s less than 2 weeks before the trade deadline.

by dexter11 on Feb 7, 2010 12:52 PM EST reply actions