We have not been healthy all year, what makes the playoffs any different?

[j804]

It's very hard to be optimistic I don't care what Danny says, still am very worried about us. Our frontline in particular.

I hope I am wrong but seriously does anybody expect us to be fully healthy or almost all the way healthy?

I keep hearing once were healthy blah blah bla well my gut tells me that's never going to happen

[Jon]

The major difference is that the Celtics have been ridiculously cautious with injuries.  Doc has gone on record many times to say that players who have missed time or are out now wouldn't have missed the same time (if any) if it was the playoffs.  Doc just said that about Delonte and this injury. 

The other reason not to be worried is that even with poor health and less depth, we still are the best team in the East (and in my opinion, the NBA).  And now we have even more depth than we did a month ago.

So even if the injuries keep up, so should our success. 

[Drucci]

Agreed with Jon. We haven't been healthy all year long but the extended period of rest granted to all our players is purposely longer than normal so they can/will be healthy for the playoffs.

[zerophase]

In the playoffs you get at least a day off in between games, which helps our health situation and definitely favors veterans. If we rest our guys now, it should happen by April and they should stay healthy with the playoff schedule.

[Eja117]

What makes it different?  Well Danny says so of course.  Don't you trust him?  I mean he's just sorta spinning things in the way all GMs do. He's not being dishonest or anything

[Shamrocker]

I think your gut instinct is correct. Its beggars belief to think we'll stay completely healthy come playoff time. I hate to be Deputy Downer, but save for blind hope i just don't see what cause we have to be so optimistic.

[celticinorlando]

they weren't healthy last year remember? got to the finals..

[Neurotic Guy]

Using similar logic, it is also reasonable to state that the following players WILL be healthy:

Ray Allen
Paul Pierce
Kevin Garnett
Rajon Rondo
Glen Davis (despite his current injury)
Nenad Krstic
Jeff Green
Carlos Arroyo
Troy Murphy

That's 9 players making up a pretty darn good team.
Sure, something can happen to these 9, but just as likely something can happen to Lebron, Dwayne, Chris, Dwight, Kobe, Pau, Tony, Tim, Dirk, Carlos, Derek....

There are 3 Celtics players in question: Shaq, DWest, and JO.
But... it really boils down to Shaq, doesn't it?  
Shaq, who I don't think has missed a playoff game in his career.  Shaq, who started 36 games this year.  Shaq, who assimilated with this team in a heartbeat. Shaq, who is rested and in training and who will play through just about anything he possibly can once the playoffs begin.  

Shaq may not get or stay healthy, and JO may never play a minute, but I hardly think it's the done deal proposition suggested by this thread.  

[vinnie]

Using similar logic, it is also reasonable to state that the following players WILL be healthy:

Ray Allen
Paul Pierce
Kevin Garnett
Rajon Rondo
Glen Davis (despite his current injury)
Nenad Krstic
Jeff Green
Carlos Arroyo
Troy Murphy

That's 9 players making up a pretty darn good team.
Sure, something can happen to these 9, but just as likely something can happen to Lebron, Dwayne, Chris, Dwight, Kobe, Pau, Tony, Tim, Dirk, Carlos, Derek....

There are 3 Celtics players in question: Shaq, DWest, and JO.
But... it really boils down to Shaq, doesn't it?  
Shaq, who I don't think has missed a playoff game in his career.  Shaq, who started 36 games this year.  Shaq, who assimilated with this team in a heartbeat. Shaq, who is rested and in training and who will play through just about anything he possibly can once the playoffs begin.  

Shaq may not get or stay healthy, and JO may never play a minute, but I hardly think it's the done deal proposition suggested by this thread.  

I hope you are right about Shaq. If the 9 players you list are the guys that the Celtics have to go to war with, they will be ousted in the second round.

[chambers]

i understand your fears but the celtics have a different strategy to other teams with rest and recovery.
They basically make/force players to sit when they could be playing. Shaq recently commented on this.
Shaq would be playing if it were the playoffs right now.
West would've been similar a few weeks ago when he re hurt his wrist in training.
The only one i'm really doubtful about is JO. I need to see him training to believe he'll be okay.
Because of the Perkins trade we are WAY better off down the stretch as far as injuries go.
We are the deepest team in the NBA now.

[Neurotic Guy]

Using similar logic, it is also reasonable to state that the following players WILL be healthy:

Ray Allen
Paul Pierce
Kevin Garnett
Rajon Rondo
Glen Davis (despite his current injury)
Nenad Krstic
Jeff Green
Carlos Arroyo
Troy Murphy

That's 9 players making up a pretty darn good team.
Sure, something can happen to these 9, but just as likely something can happen to Lebron, Dwayne, Chris, Dwight, Kobe, Pau, Tony, Tim, Dirk, Carlos, Derek....

There are 3 Celtics players in question: Shaq, DWest, and JO.
But... it really boils down to Shaq, doesn't it?  
Shaq, who I don't think has missed a playoff game in his career.  Shaq, who started 36 games this year.  Shaq, who assimilated with this team in a heartbeat. Shaq, who is rested and in training and who will play through just about anything he possibly can once the playoffs begin.  

Shaq may not get or stay healthy, and JO may never play a minute, but I hardly think it's the done deal proposition suggested by this thread.  

I hope you are right about Shaq. If the 9 players you list are the guys that the Celtics have to go to war with, they will be ousted in the second round.

Perhaps they'll be ousted, but at 48-15 and 3 games better than anyone in their conference (and 8 losses better than the team that would be ousting them in the 2nd round), I'll suggest that the 'healthy 9' have enough talent to get to the Finals. 

[BballTim]

Using similar logic, it is also reasonable to state that the following players WILL be healthy:

Ray Allen
Paul Pierce
Kevin Garnett
Rajon Rondo
Glen Davis (despite his current injury)
Nenad Krstic
Jeff Green
Carlos Arroyo
Troy Murphy

That's 9 players making up a pretty darn good team.
Sure, something can happen to these 9, but just as likely something can happen to Lebron, Dwayne, Chris, Dwight, Kobe, Pau, Tony, Tim, Dirk, Carlos, Derek....

There are 3 Celtics players in question: Shaq, DWest, and JO.
But... it really boils down to Shaq, doesn't it?  
Shaq, who I don't think has missed a playoff game in his career.  Shaq, who started 36 games this year.  Shaq, who assimilated with this team in a heartbeat. Shaq, who is rested and in training and who will play through just about anything he possibly can once the playoffs begin.  

Shaq may not get or stay healthy, and JO may never play a minute, but I hardly think it's the done deal proposition suggested by this thread.  

I hope you are right about Shaq. If the 9 players you list are the guys that the Celtics have to go to war with, they will be ousted in the second round.

  It's one thing to say we can't win a title, but saying there's no way our current lineup can beat Orlando or Miami or Orlando is a little over the top. Or a lot over the top.

[LooseCannon]

I believe that healthy enough to win it all is a lower threshold than being nearly completely healthy.

[More Banners]

Using similar logic, it is also reasonable to state that the following players WILL be healthy:

Ray Allen
Paul Pierce
Kevin Garnett
Rajon Rondo
Glen Davis (despite his current injury)
Nenad Krstic
Jeff Green
Carlos Arroyo
Troy Murphy

That's 9 players making up a pretty darn good team.
Sure, something can happen to these 9, but just as likely something can happen to Lebron, Dwayne, Chris, Dwight, Kobe, Pau, Tony, Tim, Dirk, Carlos, Derek....

There are 3 Celtics players in question: Shaq, DWest, and JO.
But... it really boils down to Shaq, doesn't it?  
Shaq, who I don't think has missed a playoff game in his career.  Shaq, who started 36 games this year.  Shaq, who assimilated with this team in a heartbeat. Shaq, who is rested and in training and who will play through just about anything he possibly can once the playoffs begin.  

Shaq may not get or stay healthy, and JO may never play a minute, but I hardly think it's the done deal proposition suggested by this thread.  

I hope you are right about Shaq. If the 9 players you list are the guys that the Celtics have to go to war with, they will be ousted in the second round.

  It's one thing to say we can't win a title, but saying there's no way our current lineup can beat Orlando or Miami or Orlando is a little over the top. Or a lot over the top.

Dude, if we get to play two series against Orlando, I'd say we're a lock for 18.   

[vinnie]

Using similar logic, it is also reasonable to state that the following players WILL be healthy:

Ray Allen
Paul Pierce
Kevin Garnett
Rajon Rondo
Glen Davis (despite his current injury)
Nenad Krstic
Jeff Green
Carlos Arroyo
Troy Murphy

That's 9 players making up a pretty darn good team.
Sure, something can happen to these 9, but just as likely something can happen to Lebron, Dwayne, Chris, Dwight, Kobe, Pau, Tony, Tim, Dirk, Carlos, Derek....

There are 3 Celtics players in question: Shaq, DWest, and JO.
But... it really boils down to Shaq, doesn't it? 
Shaq, who I don't think has missed a playoff game in his career.  Shaq, who started 36 games this year.  Shaq, who assimilated with this team in a heartbeat. Shaq, who is rested and in training and who will play through just about anything he possibly can once the playoffs begin. 

Shaq may not get or stay healthy, and JO may never play a minute, but I hardly think it's the done deal proposition suggested by this thread. 

I hope you are right about Shaq. If the 9 players you list are the guys that the Celtics have to go to war with, they will be ousted in the second round.

  It's one thing to say we can't win a title, but saying there's no way our current lineup can beat Orlando or Miami or Orlando is a little over the top. Or a lot over the top.

I am simply commenting on the 9 players listed:

Ray Allen
Paul Pierce
Kevin Garnett
Rajon Rondo
Glen Davis (despite his current injury)
Nenad Krstic
Jeff Green
Carlos Arroyo
Troy Murphy

I don't see them getting out of the second round if those are the 9 they have to go to war with. Add Shaq/JO combo and DWest to replace Arroyo and Muphy and they probably win the championship. I don't see a team depending on Carlos Arroyo and Troy Murphy as being a threat to win it all. I do see a team with Shaq/JO and DWest in the rotation as having an excellent chance to win it all.