Official "Will KG play thread?"

[Jon]

I still say that there's has to be at least a decent chance KG is going to play at some point if the C's haven't had him have surgery yet.  As good as the C's have been playing without him, mind games aren't going to be enough for the C's to beat the Cavs in the next round.  The only way that will happen is if KG comes back. 

Because of that, I think there's a 50/50 chance we see him next round. 

[crownsy]

I still say that there's has to be at least a decent chance KG is going to play at some point if the C's haven't had him have surgery yet.  As good as the C's have been playing without him, mind games aren't going to be enough for the C's to beat the Cavs in the next round.  The only way that will happen is if KG comes back. 

Because of that, I think there's a 50/50 chance we see him next round. 

But in this scenrario, we knew we were getting past the magic in games 4 and 5 right? we didn't need him then, only 7 days ahead of an ECF first game?

Can we see the future in this plan?

[Jon]

I still say that there's has to be at least a decent chance KG is going to play at some point if the C's haven't had him have surgery yet.  As good as the C's have been playing without him, mind games aren't going to be enough for the C's to beat the Cavs in the next round.  The only way that will happen is if KG comes back. 

Because of that, I think there's a 50/50 chance we see him next round. 

But in this scenrario, we knew we were getting past the magic in games 4 and 5 right? we didn't need him then, only 7 days ahead of an ECF first game?

Can we see the future in this plan?

I don't see it so much as seeing the future as rolling the dice.  I think Ainge's mindset is that if the C's need a hobbled KG to beat the Magic, the C's and a hobbled KG certainly aren't going to beat the Cavs.  However, I think Ainge is using this as a barometer.  If KG-less C's team is able to beat the Magic, then they might be able to beat the Cavs with a hobbled KG.  Plus with every day that passes, it increases the chances KG will be closer to 100%. 

[crownsy]

I still say that there's has to be at least a decent chance KG is going to play at some point if the C's haven't had him have surgery yet.  As good as the C's have been playing without him, mind games aren't going to be enough for the C's to beat the Cavs in the next round.  The only way that will happen is if KG comes back. 

Because of that, I think there's a 50/50 chance we see him next round. 

But in this scenrario, we knew we were getting past the magic in games 4 and 5 right? we didn't need him then, only 7 days ahead of an ECF first game?

Can we see the future in this plan?

I don't see it so much as seeing the future as rolling the dice.  I think Ainge's mindset is that if the C's need a hobbled KG to beat the Magic, the C's and a hobbled KG certainly aren't going to beat the Cavs.  However, I think Ainge is using this as a barometer.  If KG-less C's team is able to beat the Magic, then they might be able to beat the Cavs with a hobbled KG.  Plus with every day that passes, it increases the chances KG will be closer to 100%. 

I think thats incredible unrealistic thinking, but i'd be happy to be wrong.

[guava_wrench]

Ainge isn't making the decision. KG and the doctors are making the decision.

[Neurotic Guy]

Celtics president Danny Ainge says that forward Kevin Garnett's rehabilitation from a knee injury is "going well."

When asked if Garnett is improving, Ainge said, "I don't know. I don't know what that means. No surgery set. But nothing's changed. We still are not planning on him playing."

Danny has been strategically using the word 'planning' for some time.  Using this word allows him to close the conversation without closing the door.  He conveys that KG will not play, but uses 'plan' so to infer that they are moving on as if KG will not be playing.  Which is not the same as definitively stating 'KG will not play in the playoffs' -- which he could/would say if it were truly a definite.  Danny believes there is enough of a chance for KG to play that he is unwilling to close the door. Or perhaps he just likes keeping false hope alive.

[papa shuttlesworth]

I was thinking that KG could come back if the Cs made it to the ECF.  But this morning I realized: "Hey, shouldn't he practice a few times before then?"  As far as I know, he has not practiced in months except for a few jumpshots here and there.

Does anyone know more?

[afflatus]

I hope I'm wrong, but his coming back is getting to be unlikely by the minute. The BEST time for him to come back if was able to would be tonight. Simply because there is room for error with a game 7 to lean on if necessary. I don't like the idea of him coming back on a Game 7, too much at stake to make a sudden change. I think if we hit game 3in the ECF and we have not seen him yet, we will not get to see him at all for that series, we would have to hold out hope that of a comeback if we by some miracle, we get to the finals.

[Redz]

Different circumstances, but I think  back to the 1992 Playoffs when the Celts advanced past Indiana in the first round with Bird out with the bad back that would soon spell the end of his career.

They played Cleveland the next round and took them to a 7th game.  Bird came back and struggled through the final four games of that series, but really the team almost looked better without him at that point.

If KG can come back give them what he gave during the 4 game stint he had in April (it was April wasn't it?), then swelly welly, but at this point having a hobbled KG out there may not be the best thing for the team (to say nothing of KG's health moving forward).

[thirstyboots18]

I remember, Redz, and I agree.

[threats13]

it was said in the Chicago series and I know we think about it still now but I wanna know if there is any way that dressing KG hurts us.  Lets say we put him out there his adrenalines going he feels good drops 6-8 points grabs 3-4 rebounds and then the adrenaline slows and he starts to feel a little sore.  We then take him out of the game to wait and see if he eases up and can get back in if not no big deal we were in this without him anyway.

I just dont understand why we are not willing to try.  He tried in the regular season for 4 games and was more or less effective.  Lets give him a few minutes see what happens.  If he aint feeling it then were right back where we started hopefully something gained but definitely nothing lost.  Plus the crowd would be WiLdDDDDdDDDd

[greenwise]

I think that if we manage to beat the Magic tonight, KG will participate in the Cleveland series

[johnnyrondo]

Different circumstances, but I think  back to the 1992 Playoffs when the Celts advanced past Indiana in the first round with Bird out with the bad back that would soon spell the end of his career.

They played Cleveland the next round and took them to a 7th game.  Bird came back and struggled through the final four games of that series, but really the team almost looked better without him at that point.

If KG can come back give them what he gave during the 4 game stint he had in April (it was April wasn't it?), then swelly welly, but at this point having a hobbled KG out there may not be the best thing for the team (to say nothing of KG's health moving forward).

People forget how good that 91/92 team was and how deep. Here's their roster: http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1992.html  They finished the season by winning 15 out of 16 and went on to sweep the Pacers in the first round. They were the hottest team in the NBA and even without Bird/an injured bird they took a very good Cavs team to 7 games. Also remember that Dee Brown blew out his knee in preseason (and was never the same). The previous playoffs, Dee Brown was out playing a still in his prime Isiah Thomas. He looked like a star and looked great in preseason too. Without injuries to Bird and Brown, I believe the Celtics would have won the title that yr (and many people call that the best Bulls team of the 6).

The Brown injury really hurt, b/c Shaw/Lewis/Brown was going to be an amazing backcourt. You had Gamble, Bird and Parish up front. And talk about back up bigs. You had McHale, Pinckney and Klein. Rick Fox was a servicable rookie. For some reason, besides Brown never being the same after his injury, Shaw's career started to go down hill this yr and he was traded midseason for Sherman Douglas, but for this yr at least, neither Sherm or the returning dee was the leader at the point. John Bagley was. Injuries are a mofo, b/c that was a deep talented squad. No wonder Stojko O'Bryant didn't get any burn. 

oops not trying to hijack, so yeah I hope KG plays. I predict gm 4 versus Cleveland he makes his return.

[Jon]

Different circumstances, but I think  back to the 1992 Playoffs when the Celts advanced past Indiana in the first round with Bird out with the bad back that would soon spell the end of his career.

They played Cleveland the next round and took them to a 7th game.  Bird came back and struggled through the final four games of that series, but really the team almost looked better without him at that point.

If KG can come back give them what he gave during the 4 game stint he had in April (it was April wasn't it?), then swelly welly, but at this point having a hobbled KG out there may not be the best thing for the team (to say nothing of KG's health moving forward).

People forget how good that 91/92 team was and how deep. Here's their roster: http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1992.html  They finished the season by winning 15 out of 16 and went on to sweep the Pacers in the first round. They were the hottest team in the NBA and even without Bird/an injured bird they took a very good Cavs team to 7 games. Also remember that Dee Brown blew out his knee in preseason (and was never the same). The previous playoffs, Dee Brown was out playing a still in his prime Isiah Thomas. He looked like a star and looked great in preseason too. Without injuries to Bird and Brown, I believe the Celtics would have won the title that yr (and many people call that the best Bulls team of the 6).

The Brown injury really hurt, b/c Shaw/Lewis/Brown was going to be an amazing backcourt. You had Gamble, Bird and Parish up front. And talk about back up bigs. You had McHale, Pinckney and Klein. Rick Fox was a servicable rookie. For some reason, besides Brown never being the same after his injury, Shaw's career started to go down hill this yr and he was traded midseason for Sherman Douglas, but for this yr at least, neither Sherm or the returning dee was the leader at the point. John Bagley was. Injuries are a mofo, b/c that was a deep talented squad. No wonder Stojko O'Bryant didn't get any burn. 

oops not trying to hijack, so yeah I hope KG plays. I predict gm 4 versus Cleveland he makes his return.

I agree.  Different circumstances.  If this team had Powe and P.J. Brown, I think you could make the case that KG coming back might throw things off.  However, as things stand right now, all he has to do is be better than Mikki Moore, and he'd help this team.  And I'm fairly certain he can do that. 

[angryguy77]

I have two theories. 1)I think he dresses for this game but they dont use him until down the stretch(if needed). Then he is used very sparingly for the next round. 2) They might wait to see if they get by the magic and see if they can stay with the cavs w/o him suiting up. If its apparant that he would tip the scale in our favore, he plays limited, but important minuts. I tend to see the latter theory as more of a reality.