… so that it could withstand the loss of one backup big with no negative effect AT ALL. But that’s with Perk in the lineup. Without Perk, they can still tolerate losing 1 more big, but it’s more difficult, requiring a lot of extra work from the others. But with JO gone, they are now ALWAYS in that difficult position. If they lose a THIRD big — e.g. Shaq now — well, there is no team in the league that can lose THREE bigs without paying a v substantial price. I’d say the Cs are better able to weather that storm than any other team in the NBA.

But… I LOVE how careful they’re being with Shaq and Perk. When they brought Rondo back AT LEAST 2 games too soon (evidenced by how he hobbled around in those early games), I was worried that they’re losing their minds. But now Doc is being adamant, even though Perk looks GREAT and has had a LONGGG time to heal. This is great to see. We will absolutely need Perk in the playoffs, especially now that we know JO is a huge question mark at best.

Semih going up against Bynum does not spark much confidence

Anyone else think that Marquis seems to have quite a few (relatively speaking) family issues? Oh, my, didn’t even think about that pun until after I typed it.

This is going to be a hell ride west coast trip. February and March, please come quick.

Its not about the possibility that we might have some more injuries as time goes by. The proof is in the pudding. We are going to have to deal with a lot more injuries; recurring and new ones. Its been happening since two seasons ago; it will continue and get worse as our veterans “age” one more year. Players are not like wine; they get better with age; No, they get more injured and their injuries take longer to heal. Or maybe its Sterns and the referee’s fault. Forget about the west trip. Its the playoffs that we should worry.

i think quisy will play , al in all i cant wait till delonte & perk comes back we cant rlly judge our team untill those 2 guys come back

While I would like everyone to be at their “healthiest” against the Lakers, I wouldn’t want to lose back to back to teams the Celtics should be beating. Sounds to me they are taking the Cavs lightly as well by considering this game as a “rest day” game.

I don’t know why I’m feeling that I would really like the sight of Sheed in green right now.

Know that the guy was terrible for us last regular season, but we are looking so thin right now…it would be much welcomed to see him back in green this year…our position at big has SO MANY question marks….so many “ifs” and “what ifs”.
Hopefully Perk comes back as himself..but what if he comes back as only half able to do the things we will need of him done the stretch?
JO is a big question mark…
and quite frankly 38 yr old Shaq is a big question mark down the stretch…how many more of these “hip lock” stories are we going to be subjected to this year?
I’m sensing we may need Sheed’s presence more than we know.

if Shaq is not playing.

Shaq (Chucko the Clown) O’Neal hurt again …… what a guy …….. Sure hope Rasheed comes back for some help at center since JO is damaged good too …..