Is West ready for crunch time tonight? (just a question, no Rondo injury info)

[wdleehi]

Is West ready?



I hope so.




I want Rondo in there.   I really want Rondo in there.



But if he is still playing with one arm (catching throwing, dribbling), I don't want Rondo out there in the crunch.  He becomes a liability on offense.  Increase pressure can make it more likely for him to turn the ball over at an important time. 





I hope Rondo can use both arms tonight.


But I hope West is ready to step up as well.

[CelticG1]

I think so.

He doesn't seem to fold under pressure and always seems to have a calm demeanor during the game.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see Pierce run the offense and have Delonte spot up in the corner or something knocking down some deadly 3's

[wdleehi]

I think so.

He doesn't seem to fold under pressure and always seems to have a calm demeanor during the game.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see Pierce run the offense and have Delonte spot up in the corner or something knocking down some deadly 3's

Most likely. 


Tough to run an offense through the guy being defended by Lebron though. 

[the_Bird]

West has looked a lot better recently.  If he's got to play 30 minutes, that's OK (I'm assuming West's own injury doesn't impact his play).  It'll be more of a grind-it-out contest, a lot more of a Paul Pierce game, not as aesthetically-pleasing as when Rondo's on his game, but we can win that kind of game.  Slow it down, grind it out.

We need Rondo, though.  I'm a lot less confident if we have to see Arroyo on the court.

[Sizzlack]

West would be ready for anything. He's a tough, veteran guy who won't be afraid of the big stage.

My worries is not about if he'll be ready for it, it's will he be healthy for it.

This guy hasn't taken some hits this year, and he's taken some injuries that just don't go away. The broken wrist I'm sure still causes him pain, there's going to be soreness and tendinitis in it at times, anyone who's broken a bone before knows those things just don't go away.

I mean, I broke my right index finger one year, and I literally didn't have full range of motion in it for a year, and even now, 4 years later, every now and then it cramps up on me, or the joint gets sore.

Then you add in the ankle, which he never really had a chance to fully recover from, plus the shoulder now, it's a credit to him that he's even on the floor.

[Drucci]

I think Delonte has regained his confidence after playing without it in the first round. He looks more aggressive, looking for his own shot, and hitting it so I would be fine with him in crunch time, especially because he thrives in these situations.

[SHAQATTACK]

West mentioned once that his ankle needs post season surgery.  Not super serious , but is necessary for him to feel "right" again. We saw how JO played before surgery , because it bothered him .

If West can ever get all 4 limbs and both shoulders repaired , he is an awesome guard.

Given all the issues he is trying to play though , I'm amazed he can do as much as he does.

West and Rondo are two fragile looking guys that have hearts the size of an ocean . 

I think all the guys will be taking extra asprin this evening , they will need every once of energy to pull this win off.

West will be ready.

[Mr October]

I think Delonte has regained his confidence after playing without it in the first round. He looks more aggressive, looking for his own shot, and hitting it so I would be fine with him in crunch time, especially because he thrives in these situations.

I loved seeing Delonte confidently shooting the ball! Thats the DWest I know!! Yeah I'm also fine with him playing as much 1 or 2 as needed.

What really matters is that KG needs to keep pounding the ball inside. His performance in game 3 was spectacular.

[mgent]

West isn't a huge step down from Rondo at the end of games.  I think Paul has proved we're better off running the offense through him in those situations.  Otherwise it should be KG on block.  It should really only be one of them or Ray shooting in the final minutes, or creating something for JO/West.

Delonte plays almost the same D as Rondo, yet stretches the floor way more for the Big 3.