I couldn't happen to notice that recently the amount of points being scored against us seemed to be on the rise lately and coincided with KG's loss. Now, I haven't heard anything mentioned anywhere about it so I thought it was about time for someone to take a look at the bottom line. We need KG and here is the proof why:
With KG Without KG
Games(total) 124 20
Points Against(total) 11220 1927
Points Against/Game(total) 90.5 96.4
Games(2007-08) 71 11
Points Against(2007-08) 6371 1034
Points Against/Game(2007-08) 89.7 94
Games(2008-09) 53 9
Points Against(2008-09) 4849 893
Points Against/Game(2008-09) 91.5 99.2
So, to summarize, this year KG's absence has meant an increase +7.7 PPG Against, last year it meant an increase of +4.3 PPG Against and overall in his Celtics career an increase of +5.9 PPG Against.
Now, bottom line it hasn't effected the efficacy of the team in a won loss situation as so far with KG the Celtcis are 96-26 for a winning percentage of 78.7% and without the Celtics are 16-4 for a winning percentage of 80%. I think that is part due to the overall excellence of the talent and coaching and the belief that this team has in the team concept that they can still play at such a high performance level even while subtracting the defending Defensive Player of the Year winner from their lineup.
But how do they do it. Simple. They score more. Here are those numbers:
With KG Without KG
Games(total) 124 20
Points 12450 2097
Points Against/Game 100.4 104.9
Games(2007-08) 71 11
Points(2007-08) 7110 1131
Points/Game(2007-08) 100.1 102.8
Games(2008-09) 53 9
Points(2008-09) 5340 966
Points/Game(2008-09) 100.8 107.3
So when KG is gone, the offense picks it up by scoring, in his Celtics career, an average of +4.5 more points per game. that's +2.7 PPG last year and +6.5 PPG this year.
That means that overall KG being out of the lineup results in an overall net loss of -1.2 PPG differential this year, -1.6 PPG differential last year and an overall -1.4 PPG differential in his entire Celtics career.
Now this might not seem like much now, in the regular season, when about 50% of the teams the Celtics played without KG were scrubs, but if KG doesn't get 100% healthy for the playoffs, there is just no way the Celtics are going to score the amount of points they will have to score to make up for KG's loss on the defensive end.
Don't get me wrong, I think it is a testament to the players and coaches that even though KG goes down this team keeps on trucking, but IMO, there is no way this team is going to average 107 PPG and win 80% of the games the play in the playoffs without a healthy KG. So to that end, take your time KG. If it means an extra loss here or there, so be it because this team will need you, your defense, and your presence come April through June.