Kevin Garnett as of this morning is said to be done for the rest of the 2009 season, says coach Doc Rivers. I'm sure all the national broadcasts are going to be off the wall with how the Celtics can't win without KG.
I on the other hand realize that the Celtics are far from a one man team. We actually have a winning record with Garnett on the bench this season and Glen "Big Baby" Davis has done more than his share to fill in while KG has been out. Also to mention, Leon Powe returned from his injury recently and also done extremely well (scoring 18 points last night against the Wizards).
I know, it's going to be tough without the dominant force of a veteran KG in the lineup against the Magic and Cavaliers, not to mention the Lakers in the finals, but we can't pack it in because one of the Celtics "BIG 3" are going to be on the bench.
I know we can still win a few 7-game series against the better teams in the NBA, but remember, as of yet the report is that Garnett is likely to miss the playoffs. So let's win a few early rounds and after gaining the confidence to make it to the finals, KG could possibly come back to add to the lineup.
Leon Powe is a beast and though he’s no replacement, brings enough to the table that we can get to the Finals without KG. I always thought Powe should be getting more minutes and here’s his chance to shine.
I have felt the same since last season, LP 0 is an animal when he’s playing hard. We are the World Champion Boston Celtics until someone says otherwise!
Apparently KG has to have surgery after the season, so even though Doc said he’s “most likely” done for the postseason, you can pretty much guarantee the Celtics aren’t going to risk further injury by bringing him back. Either way, I don’t see them getting past the Magic in the second round, I’m just a realist.. neither Big Baby or Leon Powe can stop Dwight Howard… the guy’s a beast.
Two words Newman: Kendrick Perkins.
Dagley, do you think Kendrick Perkins is enough to stop anyone for a full game by himself?
I think the C’s can stop Dwight Howard as a unit Newman. No one man can stop him, KG wouldnt have even done it by himself.
The Magic aren’t my concern, they started slipping under pressure at the end and I’m sure we can beat them in a series. Cleveland and LA will remain to be seen.
The true impact of KG’s loss will be on the defensive end, particularly when the Cs run into bigger and better teams. A beast like Dwight Howard normally would have to face Perk and KG for 30+ mins a game, a combo that might wear him down over a long series. Now he gets to go against Perk and Big Baby for those 30+ mins. Not to mention energy stick figure Mikki Moore will now be forced into more playing time thus negating some of his effectiveness.
If the Cs are going to win this thing they need Rondo, Ray, Tony, and Paul to bring better pressure D on the guards of other teams. Hopefully that will make it harder for teams to go inside and exploit the fact the #5 is not patrolling the paint.
Very good point Frankie, I think that the Celtics can do it as team. Hopefully the team takes the same stand as Doc Rivers and realizes it’s now about the guys in uniform and not about KG anymore. If they have that mentality, we should be fine.
haha we can scratch the leon powe theory now.
We can scratch a lot of theories now Tung. I’m just hoping to make it out of the first round alive.