Hypothetical situation for celtics

[celticsclay]

Since this is in the internet I figured I would throw out a hypothetical situation for the celtics. I am really hoping I am wrong, but the Heat seem to have a pretty good chance of sweeping. If the celtics somehow win the next game, the heat are waiting, and the team doctors say Shaq will be ready in a week, is it the worst thing in the world to lose a game 4 and come back to boston with a 3-1 lead (as a fan, I am obviously not saying the celtics would intentionally lose)? I am pretty sure the obvious responses to this is that we would be sacrificing less games/minutes for the rest of our older players, you never want to let a team in the series etc and its even a stupid idea to raise. However, I think how much shaq could change the matchup against the Heat and thinking having him even for 15 minutes a game for every game would really impact the series (Bosh Foul trouble, let Jermaine Rest, no minutes for a beat up Kristic etc) What do you think of this situation?

[RJ87]

Do we throw a game to buy Shaq some time? I'm gonna go with a nice, firm "no".

You don't wanna give any NBA team - the Knicks included - any sort of life. If the opportunity to sweep presents itself, you take it. STEP ON THEIR THROATS.

[vinnie]

No, no and no. Besides, who knows if Shaq will ever be back. They need to win this seriews as quickly as they can, because the Heat will likely sweep Philadelphia and be waiting for them.

[celticsclay]

No, no and no. Besides, who knows if Shaq will ever be back. They need to win this seriews as quickly as they can, because the Heat will likely sweep Philadelphia and be waiting for them.

I mean that was my inclination and the kind of responses I expected. Although in this hypothetical situation I am also saying we know for a fact the waiting time would make sure Shaq was ready for game 1.

[GreenEnvy]

Are you saying to throw a game so we don't have to start the next series so soon?

Does the NBA even do that? Don't try to wait as much as they can for the first-round to end before they start any second-round games?

I'm sure they have the Finals dates set, so they have a pretty good idea of when all the series will be played.

And regardless, NO... the Celtics would prefer an easy series win with some extra rest for the entire team than Shaq back a game early.

[celtic -_- pride]

we can beat the heat with a limited shaq. we just need another body down low. and i dont trust murphy. but throwing games to get shaq back by sacrificing everyone elses legs doesnt seem worth it to me. we need rays legs to be there to stretch the floor.

[blink]

No, no and no. Besides, who knows if Shaq will ever be back. They need to win this seriews as quickly as they can, because the Heat will likely sweep Philadelphia and be waiting for them.

I agree.  We should never give up the chance to build momentum once we start rolling.  If we can take NY out in 4 DO IT.  It will only help the aging legs of the big 3 for us to get out of each round fast, Shaq or no Shaq.

[17wasEZ]

Since this is in the internet I figured I would throw out a hypothetical situation for the celtics. I am really hoping I am wrong, but the Heat seem to have a pretty good chance of sweeping. If the celtics somehow win the next game, the heat are waiting, and the team doctors say Shaq will be ready in a week, is it the worst thing in the world to lose a game 4 and come back to boston with a 3-1 lead (as a fan, I am obviously not saying the celtics would intentionally lose)? I am pretty sure the obvious responses to this is that we would be sacrificing less games/minutes for the rest of our older players, you never want to let a team in the series etc and its even a stupid idea to raise. However, I think how much shaq could change the matchup against the Heat and thinking having him even for 15 minutes a game for every game would really impact the series (Bosh Foul trouble, let Jermaine Rest, no minutes for a beat up Kristic etc) What do you think of this situation?

Just look no further than last year's ECF to get ur answer.  Had the C's won in 4, BBD and Marquis wouldn't have sustained concussions and Rondo wouldn't have taken that nasty fall that he took in the 1st quarter of game 6 that seemed to have affected him at the beginning of the Finals. As the series got deeper, Howard's elbows seemed to have pinpoint accuracy on Boston's players.

[PosImpos]

Honestly, the Heat will probably beat us in 6 or 7 games whether we have Shaq or not.

[celtic -_- pride]

Honestly, the Heat will probably beat us in 6 or 7 games whether we have Shaq or not.

the heat are soft let them get used to an easy series with philly and we will take them by surprise. it will be a hell of a series but south beach is goin down

[hwangjini_1]

Honestly, the Heat will probably beat us in 6 or 7 games whether we have Shaq or not.

the heat are soft let them get used to an easy series with philly and we will take them by surprise. it will be a hell of a series but south beach is goin down

I hope you are correct. But the celtics play against the Knicks so far does not inspire confidence in me. Unless the celtics start getting more rebounds and play better offense Miami could very well beat the celtics.

Also, going into the playoffs I thought the Boston bench would give the team a huge advantage. So far, the bench is disappointing to say the least.

The starters have to work too hard and long to make up for a bench that is not producing so far.

So....if shaq can come back, that will probably change the bench play for Boston....but that is a big, big if.

[Jon Niednagel]

The Bench has been bad. I'm ready to see what Von can give. He has been playing well of late, before and after his injury (with the exception end of the 4th quarter during game #81). Baby looks like he is playing on bad knees to me. I'd like to see Green and Baby work a two man game a little more instead of having Green hang out on the perimeter.

To the original question, you don't risk injury to the other players, or wear them down with extra games, just to rest Shaq.

[Assassin70]

Win win win win win. 

We will get an extra day or 2 no matter what since Orlando and ATL are tied @ 1-1 They try not to start the 2nd round to early if the 1st round is not finished yet.

[slamtheking]

winning is the priority.  take the Knicks in 4 if at all possible.  The league will end up delaying the start of this series to more or less lineup with the timeline for the other series.  If the winners of the Orl/Atl and Bulls/Indy series need 6 games to get it done, the Miami/C's series won't start more than 2 days before them in all likelihood.

[celtic -_- pride]

Honestly, the Heat will probably beat us in 6 or 7 games whether we have Shaq or not.

the heat are soft let them get used to an easy series with philly and we will take them by surprise. it will be a hell of a series but south beach is goin down

I hope you are correct. But the celtics play against the Knicks so far does not inspire confidence in me. Unless the celtics start getting more rebounds and play better offense Miami could very well beat the celtics.

Also, going into the playoffs I thought the Boston bench would give the team a huge advantage. So far, the bench is disappointing to say the least.

The starters have to work too hard and long to make up for a bench that is not producing so far.

So....if shaq can come back, that will probably change the bench play for Boston....but that is a big, big if.

i agree DA put our likes of the 18th banner on the line over a 40 year old vet... much rather of gotten 18 and have perk walk than rely on shaq and hell maybe if we get 18 perk takes a pay cut