Garnett's game 3 minutes

[vinnie]

Is there any logical explanation for KG playing only 32 minutes in game 3 of the NBA finals? The guy was on fire and has to play more than 32 minutes if the Celtics are going to win.

[Chris]

I just don't think KG is capable of playing much more than that at a high level.  KG expends a ton of energy, and he has old legs.  He needs his rest.

[vinnie]

I just don't think KG is capable of playing much more than that at a high level.  KG expends a ton of energy, and he has old legs.  He needs his rest.

Wow. If he cannot play more than 32 minutes in the NBA finals, what does it say about next year and the year after that? I get that he needs a rest, but he should be playing 38-40 minutes. This is for the championship. Look at the minutes Ray and Paul are playing. Look at the minutes Kobe is playing. The key guys have to step it up and suck it up.

[PosImpos]

I just don't think KG is capable of playing much more than that at a high level.  KG expends a ton of energy, and he has old legs.  He needs his rest.

Also, the Celtics can't win when he's their leading scorer.  They have a terrible record when he's the leading scorer, and for good reason.

KG is an efficient scorer, but not a guy you can lean on throughout an entire game.  That's just not his game anymore.  We couldn't get anybody else going early on and it caught up with us in the end.

[wdleehi]

I just don't think KG is capable of playing much more than that at a high level.  KG expends a ton of energy, and he has old legs.  He needs his rest.

Also, the Celtics can't win when he's their leading scorer.  They have a terrible record when he's the leading scorer, and for good reason.

KG is an efficient scorer, but not a guy you can lean on throughout an entire game.  That's just not his game anymore.  We couldn't get anybody else going early on and it caught up with us in the end.

They could if the feed him more when he is being so efficient instead of feed struggling outside shooters.

[FallGuy]

I just don't think KG is capable of playing much more than that at a high level.  KG expends a ton of energy, and he has old legs.  He needs his rest.

Wow. If he cannot play more than 32 minutes in the NBA finals, what does it say about next year and the year after that? I get that he needs a rest, but he should be playing 38-40 minutes. This is for the championship. Look at the minutes Ray and Paul are playing. Look at the minutes Kobe is playing. The key guys have to step it up and suck it up.

I think you're both right. I think he's pretty limited in what he can do this year in extended minutes AND it bodes badly for the future. Although... perhaps his knee will be stronger six months down the road.

Either way - I suspect this is the end of our title window. Unfortunately.

[Lucky17]

The flame that burns twice as hot burns half as long.

[PosImpos]

I just don't think KG is capable of playing much more than that at a high level.  KG expends a ton of energy, and he has old legs.  He needs his rest.

Wow. If he cannot play more than 32 minutes in the NBA finals, what does it say about next year and the year after that? I get that he needs a rest, but he should be playing 38-40 minutes. This is for the championship. Look at the minutes Ray and Paul are playing. Look at the minutes Kobe is playing. The key guys have to step it up and suck it up.

I think you're both right. I think he's pretty limited in what he can do this year in extended minutes AND it bodes badly for the future. Although... perhaps his knee will be stronger six months down the road.

Either way - I suspect this is the end of our title window. Unfortunately.

Didn't we know that all along, though?  Even the most optimistic thought back in '07 that our window was roughly 3 years long.  The fact that we've managed to be in the Finals twice during that span even though KG suffered a serious injury halfway through is nothing short of remarkable.

[Chris]

I just don't think KG is capable of playing much more than that at a high level.  KG expends a ton of energy, and he has old legs.  He needs his rest.

Wow. If he cannot play more than 32 minutes in the NBA finals, what does it say about next year and the year after that? I get that he needs a rest, but he should be playing 38-40 minutes. This is for the championship. Look at the minutes Ray and Paul are playing. Look at the minutes Kobe is playing. The key guys have to step it up and suck it up.

I agree.  I don't think there is any doubt that KG is on the downside of his career, and you simply cannot get from him what you used to.  But its not about sucking it up.

KG is an incredibly high energy player.  Much moreso than Paul, and to a lesser extent Ray.  He uses much more energy when he is on the floor, and he also NEEDS to use that much energy to be effective.  One of his greatest skills is his hustle and energy, and you lose that if you play him too many minutes at this point in his career. 

[FallGuy]

I just don't think KG is capable of playing much more than that at a high level.  KG expends a ton of energy, and he has old legs.  He needs his rest.

Wow. If he cannot play more than 32 minutes in the NBA finals, what does it say about next year and the year after that? I get that he needs a rest, but he should be playing 38-40 minutes. This is for the championship. Look at the minutes Ray and Paul are playing. Look at the minutes Kobe is playing. The key guys have to step it up and suck it up.

I think you're both right. I think he's pretty limited in what he can do this year in extended minutes AND it bodes badly for the future. Although... perhaps his knee will be stronger six months down the road.

Either way - I suspect this is the end of our title window. Unfortunately.

Didn't we know that all along, though?  Even the most optimistic thought back in '07 that our window was roughly 3 years long.  The fact that we've managed to be in the Finals twice during that span even though KG suffered a serious injury halfway through is nothing short of remarkable.

Well, I think if we come back and win this series, you bring Ray back and defend the title. And the window remains open.

But if we lose, I think that's it. You rebuild it (which doesn't mean burn it to the ground, mind you).

[Toine43]

He continued to make shots down the stretch and that was because he was well rested. Plus, it's not like they're losing a whole lot when he's out with the way Baby and Sheed are playing.

[Who]

I think Garnett can handle playing more minutes. I see no problems with his stamina.

[Mr October]

I think Garnett can handle playing more minutes. I see no problems with his stamina.

Thats what I'm seeing too. Let KG play about 36 minutes per night at this point.

[bobdelt]

I think Garnett can handle playing more minutes. I see no problems with his stamina.

Thats what I'm seeing too. Let KG play about 36 minutes per night at this point.

From what I read he couldn't play more. He was taken out when he was winded.

[CelticsPrideKG]

I'd say my problem is less when Doc decides to take him out (I'm sure he's winded at that point), it's how long it seems he sometimes takes to put him back into the game.  Usually he's out of the game halfway through the first quarter or around there - then usually doesn't reappear until more than halfway through the 2nd quarter it seems like.