Are we the unluckiest team with health concerns for a decade?

[Big333223]

No

Who got it worse over the last 9 years, then?

The only one that really mattered was 2009... rest of it is just typical stuff every team goes through.   2009 stung because we were the favorite and KG went down.  That sucked.  So right off the bat, the 2012 Chicago Bulls are at worst our equal (best team in the league got knocked off in the first round thanks to Rose's injury).  The Cavs missing Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in the Finals two years ago are our equal.  Several other teams have had painful injuries that have set them back.

I agree with most of this but I think Perkins' injury in 2010 mattered very much as well considering the timing.  Having to replace a starter in game 6 of the finals is huge.  At least if it happens during the season the players and coaches can tinker and adjust to the different lineup.  I don't care that he wasn't even close to being one of the team's top players, he had a very defined role on that team and it was sorely missed in game 7 with all the offensive rebounds that were given up (and Rasheed Wallace having to play more minutes than he was able to handle at his age).

I dont' play the "perkins 2010" game, because as soon as you start playing that game, you forfeit the 2008 title to the Bynum-less Lakers.  2009 is the only year injuries really sunk us.  Others have felt that pain before (Chicago, Cavs, etc)

The other thing (to your point) is that the C's were up by 13 points in the 4th quarter that game but they took their foot off the gas. That and Doc overplayed the starters who couldn't finish strong. I also think KG was still less than 100%. He only had 3 rebounds in that game 7 which is very un-KG.

Anyway, it all adds up to me agreeing that having Perkins would've been nice but it wasn't the be-all-end-all.