Shane Larkins out indefinitely, shoulder "very very sore"

[CelticsElite]

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23450732/shane-larkin-boston-celtics-miss-game-5-indefinitely-
https://mobile.twitter.com/espnforsberg/status/994567008908992513?s=21


Danny Ainge said on @Toucherandrich that the Celtics are planning as if Shane Larkin will not be available for the entire Cavs series but hoping he could be back for latter part of series if shoulder improves

[footey]

This stinks. Brown probably back to starting lineup and Smart becomes back PG.

[Erik]

We're getting pretty close to the dream: Dancing Bear inserted into the rotation.

[jambr380]

That is too bad, but this shouldn't be a big deal. Rozier, Brown, and Smart should be able to cover all of the guard minutes (32 each). This limits smaller line-ups with Smart/Brown at SF, but Tatum, Morris, Horford, and Baynes should be able to cover front court minutes with a few minutes sprinkled in for Ojeleye and Brown/Smart if need be.

[hodgy03038]

Please do NOT play Nader. I would rather play 4 on 5 rather than play the turnover machine.

[rondofan1255]

This sucks!

[GreenEnvy]

This stinks. Brown probably back to starting lineup and Smart becomes back PG.

Tough loss. Hard to replace his 10-12mpg at this point.

I prefer the energy Smart brings off the bench than I do Jaylen’s.

However, with McConnell in the starting lineup, do we really want Brown chasing either him or Reddick all night? Rozier can’t get burned like he did several times last game. I’m sure that’s a point of emphasis for tonight as that was the only real difference we saw from games 1-3 to game 4. TJ got the green light and ran with it, often right past Terry.

I expect a much better effort and intensity from us than last game. The crowd is going to have the Garden rocking.

[jbpats]

Call up Bird! Thought he should be on the playoff roster over Nadar anyway.

[liam]

This stinks. Brown probably back to starting lineup and Smart becomes back PG.

Tough loss. Hard to replace his 10-12mpg at this point.

I prefer the energy Smart brings off the bench than I do Jaylen’s.

However, with McConnell in the starting lineup, do we really want Brown chasing either him or Reddick all night? Rozier can’t get burned like he did several times last game. I’m sure that’s a point of emphasis for tonight as that was the only real difference we saw from games 1-3 to game 4. TJ got the green light and ran with it, often right past Terry.

I expect a much better effort and intensity from us than last game. The crowd is going to have the Garden rocking.

Niether Reddick nor McConnell can guard Jaylen. Jaylen can guard either one of those guys and can switch onto Simmons if needs be.

[liam]

Call up Bird! Thought he should be on the playoff roster over Nadar anyway.

Larry Bird?

[Alleyoopster]

Call up Bird! Thought he should be on the playoff roster over Nadar anyway.

Can they call him up? Thought teams were set once the playoffs started?

[celts55]

I could see them spend some time running the offense through Horford. They did that before in some games when Irving and Smart were both out, and it worked pretty well.
If Brown is healthy I would start him, bring Smart in as back up point guard, then use Horford as needed.
Out of all their injuries, Larkins is the least of the concerns. Maybe Semi steps up a bit.

[celts55]

Call up Bird! Thought he should be on the playoff roster over Nadar anyway.

Can they call him up? Thought teams were set once the playoffs started?

Well No, he's way too old. But if you're taking about Jabari, they can not as far as I know. I'm pretty sure 2-way players are not eligible for playoffs.

[Fafnir]

Call up Bird! Thought he should be on the playoff roster over Nadar anyway.

Can they call him up? Thought teams were set once the playoffs started?

No they can not call him up.

[jambr380]

Call up Bird! Thought he should be on the playoff roster over Nadar anyway.

Can they call him up? Thought teams were set once the playoffs started?

No they can not call him up.

Which is asinine. You can sign Joe Schmo up until the last day of the season if he wasn't on a roster after 3/1 and he will be playoff eligible, but a player who is in your system and has played games for you during the season is not. I realize the Cs could have potentially waived a player like Nader and signed Bird to a real contract, but with so many injuries, a team should be able to dip into their two-way contract players.