Stop worrying about KG, the team's all right

[TitleMaster]

I believe the team is fine for the playoffs.

There's no real drop off, in quality of play, if Garnett comes in, ~18 mins per playoff game. The big man body count is MM, Powe, BBD, and Perks. I don't see many teams with a similar level of depth at the 4/5 spots.

My only hope is that Starbury explodes for a major game or two, 20ppg - off the bench, and then our bench is virtually unstoppable with House/Starbury, as the best *backup* back court in the league today. Add two stars, Rondo/Ray Ray and then perhaps it's the best backcourt combo since the days of Monroe/Frazier.

Sure, we're a little weak at the 3, meaning Pierce's sub, but everyone else is weaker, all around, including the illustrious Cavs.

[Roy Hobbs]

The thing is, depth becomes less relevant in the playoffs.  Teams are playing their starters much heavier minutes, to the point where it doesn't matter who have the best 4th or 5th big man.  Teams only need a solid rotation of three bigs to win in the playoffs, generally speaking.

Also, I'd argue that the drop off in terms of quality between KG and BBD/Powe is a lot bigger than you're suggesting.  Powe and BBD have shown flashes, and are/were doing an admirable job filling in, but they're not on the same planet as a healthy KG in terms of skills or impact.

[BASS_THUMPER]

kg is a leader. paul is the capt but kg bring heart to this team. powe pimpin and big b cant replace what kg bring. watchin the games without him and really in the games we lost, a fire is missing.

[Kwhit10]

Without KG the defense drops off quite a bit also.  His communication out there can't be replaced.

[Donoghus]

This team needs a healthy KG to repeat.  I firmly believe this.

[Steve Weinman]

Also, I'd argue that the drop off in terms of quality between KG and BBD/Powe is a lot bigger than you're suggesting.  Powe and BBD have shown flashes, and are/were doing an admirable job filling in, but they're not on the same planet as a healthy KG in terms of skills or impact.

Uh, yeah.  I find it mildly stunning that this part of the discussion even needs to be had.  Well (and diplomatically) put, Roy.

-sw

[QuinielaBox]

We need KG for the playoffs - No questions asked.

The Celtics will play well but we need something from KG just to make it to the ECF against Cleveland unless Pierce and Rondo have another gear we have never seen before.

A lot of success will be predicated on how well we play at the defensive end and no questions asked that without KG it has not been the same on defense. Perkins has emerged as well as I can hope for. BBD and Powe have been great.

But I think that Orlando, Miami, Cleveland and Atlanta are better teams this year. Detriot is still capable of doing damage. At the end of the playoff mountain is in all probability the Lakers for the EC survivor.

I am beginning to doubt we get a 100% healthy Garnett patrolling the parquet but I think he will make a contribution in the playoffs. I'm worried about KG.

[RAcker]

We can advance without KG, but not all the way to the Finals which we all realistically hope is the ultimate destination with a chance to repeat.

He will be back playing and he will most likely hurt between games and play like a warrior during games.  Bank on it.

[Celtics17]

I am amazed at some of the commments concering KG. You would think this guy is one of the most dominant big men of the last decade, or that he was the defensive player of the year last year on the leagues most dominant defensive team, or that he is the heart and sould of the best team in the league. Oh wait, hold on a second, he is all of that and much, much more. You can't measure a guy like KG's contributions all the time. If you think Posey was an "intangible" guy then what would you call KG? If he is not healthy we are NOT repeating and probably not making the finals. It is even quite possible that we dont make the ECF! Let's hope the guy can play at least 70%.

[moiso]

I don't think KG needs to be 100% for the C's to repeat, but I do think he has to be healthy enough to be playing.  A healthy Leon is a must if KG is less than 100%.

[TitleMaster]

The nature of KG's physical ailment is a cap on the number of minutes, if he wants to give *100% per contest*, for the time allotted. And that cap is about 18 minutes so in essence, our big man rotation will have to accommodate it.

Otherwise, we'll have those games where he'll be essentially playing 35 mins and then, the following day, wake up with a swell on the knee's connective tissue. That's where the playoffs get hosed.

Now, given the fact that both KG and Starbury will be coming off the bench gives us a tremendous amount of both defense and plausible scoring vis-a-vis ball movement, during the times when the game starts to slow down for most others.

[RAcker]

The nature of KG's physical ailment is a cap on the number of minutes, if he wants to give *100% per contest*, for the time allotted. And that cap is about 18 minutes so in essence, our big man rotation will have to accommodate it.

Otherwise, we'll have those games where he'll be essentially playing 35 mins and then, the following day, wake up with a swell on the knee's connective tissue. That's where the playoffs get hosed.

Now, given the fact that both KG and Starbury will be coming off the bench gives us a tremendous amount of both defense and plausible scoring vis-a-vis ball movement, during the times when the game starts to slow down for most others.

Who says that KG is coming off the bench??

[dark_lord]

I believe the team is fine for the playoffs.

There's no real drop off, in quality of play, if Garnett comes in, ~18 mins per playoff game. The big man body count is MM, Powe, BBD, and Perks. I don't see many teams with a similar level of depth at the 4/5 spots.

My only hope is that Starbury explodes for a major game or two, 20ppg - off the bench, and then our bench is virtually unstoppable with House/Starbury, as the best *backup* back court in the league today. Add two stars, Rondo/Ray Ray and then perhaps it's the best backcourt combo since the days of Monroe/Frazier.

Sure, we're a little weak at the 3, meaning Pierce's sub, but everyone else is weaker, all around, including the illustrious Cavs.

we are a little better than a .500 team since he has been out.....we should worry.

[TitleMaster]

we are a little better than a .500 team since he has been out.....we should worry.

Sure, in the beginning that's right, however, the other bigs started to pick up the slack.

The real key here is the nature of his injury. It's a calcium deposit, pressing against a ligament. The more you play on it, the more swollen the ligament get; it's really that simple.

So the key here is to take the composite learnings of the big men and form a steady rotation where KG's 18 mins are used wisely. Then, with a day between contests, the mild irritation subsides, leaving him fresh for another game. In other words, we have him play for the entire series, not just the occasional game.

[BirdNerd]

give thanks that we have a 7 game 1st round and that they really drag the playoffs out.   hopefully we don't go 7.   

we do have time on our side, with the best case scenario is KG gets a bit of his game legs in the first round.