Other teams and injuries

[vinnie]

I understand that the C's have had serious injuries most of the year, which is going to affect play. That being the case, how doyou explain the Trailblazers? Tonight they have no one starting and they still get off to an 11-point lead over Orlando. They may end up losing the game, but they are doing something special or right in Portland to overcome all of these serious injuries. No Roy tonight on top of everything else

[Who]

I think that says more about Orlando's form at the moment than the Blazers.

[ejk3489]

Wow, they lead the Magic 52-32 at halftime...that's pretty impressive. Orlando is really struggling right now (surprisingly more than the Celts).

[MaxwellSmart86]

Wow, they lead the Magic 52-32 at halftime...that's pretty impressive. Orlando is really struggling right now (surprisingly more than the Celts).

Orlando is struggling, cause VC is a ball hog...they were better with Hedo and Alston.

[PosImpos]

Wow, they lead the Magic 52-32 at halftime...that's pretty impressive. Orlando is really struggling right now (surprisingly more than the Celts).

Orlando is struggling, cause VC is a ball hog...they were better with Hedo and Alston.

*Ding*

[wdleehi]

They have better depth. 

[housecall]

"Why is it that when someone goes down on this Blazer team,it seems you have been able to replace them without skipping a beat",espn courtside media person asked one of the Blazer's assistant coachs' last night..his reply was,our coaches are always working hard at developing players to be ready to step in when call upon".I think its partly that and partly picking the right players to fit their team.

[BballTim]

I understand that the C's have had serious injuries most of the year, which is going to affect play. That being the case, how doyou explain the Trailblazers? Tonight they have no one starting and they still get off to an 11-point lead over Orlando. They may end up losing the game, but they are doing something special or right in Portland to overcome all of these serious injuries. No Roy tonight on top of everything else

  Frankly, I find it amazing. I've never heard of a team starting nobody and getting a lead. Is this some delayed punishment for when they played against us with 6 men on the court?

  Seriously, though, that's the way if the nba. The Blazers have talent and we have talent but our talent is consolidated in fewer players. They're deeper than us but when healthy we're clearly better. If Oden doesn't turn into a superstar soon they'll try and trade a bunch of good players for one great player like we did with KG and suddenly they'll be a really good team without much depth.

[Jon]

Plus, the Blazers have a lot more to prove every night than the C's do.  The Celtics already know they're good enough to win a title and don't feel they have to prove it every regular season game. 

Aside from the fact that Danny's clearly being ultra conservative with injuries, I think the question has to be asked whether the C's who are playing are simply pacing themselves.  Are they giving 100% every night?  And if they're not, is that really a bad thing as long as they do come playoff time?  I mean now many times did Shaq coast through the regular season and then dominate come playoff time? 

[mmbaby]

Good point, Jon. And pacing is the smart thing. TP 

[BASS_THUMPER]

carter..welcome back..

your dreams were your ticket out.....

[celticinorlando]

the only team that is going to keep the Cs from winning the East is team injury. if boston is 100 percent healthy...they beat anyone in the east

[Fafnir]

I understand that the C's have had serious injuries most of the year, which is going to affect play. That being the case, how doyou explain the Trailblazers? Tonight they have no one starting and they still get off to an 11-point lead over Orlando. They may end up losing the game, but they are doing something special or right in Portland to overcome all of these serious injuries. No Roy tonight on top of everything else

  Frankly, I find it amazing. I've never heard of a team starting nobody and getting a lead. Is this some delayed punishment for when they played against us with 6 men on the court?

  Seriously, though, that's the way if the nba. The Blazers have talent and we have talent but our talent is consolidated in fewer players. They're deeper than us but when healthy we're clearly better. If Oden doesn't turn into a superstar soon they'll try and trade a bunch of good players for one great player like we did with KG and suddenly they'll be a really good team without much depth.

Its better to have more talent in few players. How good your top 3 players usually determines if you'll win a playoff series.