Irving to fragile to play back to back games?

[MikeB12]

With just a few games left in the regular season and home court advantage on the line in the first round why isn't Irving and Horford for that matter in the lineup against the Nets.

If he can't play important back to back games late in the season, should Celtic fans really hope/want the Celtics to sign him long term?

Very disappointed but not really surprised - apparently Irving is not healthy enough to even play in important late season games.   I say let him walk....

MikeB  longtime Celtics fan

[Ogaju]

you sign him, but you really have to wonder if you want to give an injury prone player the max, and then pair him with another injury prone superstar (Anthony Davis).

[jambr380]

I don't think it would be a great idea to let our best player and most valuable asset (along with Tatum) walk for nothing. Even if you don't desire a future with Irving, you should absolutely want the Cs to sign him with the idea of later trading him. Nothing good can come from losing Irving without receiving anything in return.

As for the question at hand, I don't think the Cs really care that much about home court advantage and would prefer to have a completely healthy Irving and Horford going into the playoffs. This was pretty much announced a couple of weeks ago as something that would happen regardless of record.

And if the Cs can't win a 1st round match-up against an Oladipo-less Pacers team without home court advantage, I doubt they were ever going to go very far against far better teams...also without home court advantage.

[ozgod]

My conclusion from their actions is that they don’t think these last few games are important enough to risk an injury that might keep him out of the playoffs. They probably think that a) the players available, who took us to the ECF last season and have wanted more playing time all year could and should do the job; and b) 4th or 5th seed doesn’t make that big a difference in the overall scheme of things. If they consideeed it a must win game I’m sure both would have played.

It’s annoying if as a fan you had a ticket to a game they both sat out though.

[RJ87]

Is this thread made if the youth brigade wins last night? I have a feeling no... Then the thread would be titled "We're better without Irving", right?

They've clearly prioritized rest and health over the 4th seed, which is a decision made in conjunction with management and the coaching staff. Toronto fans don't do this with Kawhi (or conclude that he's not needed because they have a good record without him in the lineup). Philly fans aren't doing this with Embiid. These threads get worse by the day.

[ozgod]

Is this thread made if the youth brigade wins last night? I have a feeling no... Then the thread would be titled "We're better without Irving", right?

They've clearly prioritized rest and health over the 4th seed, which is a decision made in conjunction with management and the coaching staff. Toronto fans don't do this with Kawhi (or conclude that he's not needed because they have a good record without him in the lineup). Philly fans aren't doing this with Embiid. These threads get worse by the day.

And if Kyrie had got injured we would have had threads criticizing them for playing him in meaningless games with the playoffs around the corner.

I'm a bit disappointed that the youth brigade fell flat last night. The way they played, it sure looked like they didn't consider the game important enough to try to win.

[csfansince60s]

you sign him, but you really have to wonder if you want to give an injury prone player the max, and then pair him with another injury prone superstar (Anthony Davis).

TP....exactly this!!!!!

What are the odds that both of them make it through a single season without missing substantial time???

So, if we don't have one of them, what's the point of having both of them on the roster.

[RJ87]

Is this thread made if the youth brigade wins last night? I have a feeling no... Then the thread would be titled "We're better without Irving", right?

They've clearly prioritized rest and health over the 4th seed, which is a decision made in conjunction with management and the coaching staff. Toronto fans don't do this with Kawhi (or conclude that he's not needed because they have a good record without him in the lineup). Philly fans aren't doing this with Embiid. These threads get worse by the day.

And if Kyrie had got injured we would have had threads criticizing them for playing him in meaningless games with the playoffs around the corner.

Exactly. Then he'd be stat padding.

[gouki88]

Is Al fragile? Is Kawhi fragile?

[gpap]

Knowing how competitive Kyrie is, I am surprised he didn't play in the Brooklyn game. Especially where HCA is up for grabs in round 1 and the Celts haven't played well on the road.

Though I am not a fan of his diva personality, James Harden was recently quoted as saying he's a hoop head and prefers playing over rest.

Depends on the player I guess.

As for Horford, it's obvious age and/or career minutes played are catching up to him. That is why I wouldn't restructure his contract to add additional years

[IDreamCeltics]

Is Al fragile? Is Kawhi fragile?

You really have to ask this?  Yes, and yes.

[rondofan1255]

Remember when defending champ Spurs played hard to get their disappointing seeding up in 2015, then Splitter got hurt in the final game against Pelicans

Health more important than HCA vs. Indy

[gpap]

Is Al fragile? Is Kawhi fragile?

You really have to ask this?  Yes, and yes.

As good as he is, Kawhi is definitely high maintenance. Not very durable and did quit on the Spurs last year. Not saying he's not a great player.

[gouki88]

Is Al fragile? Is Kawhi fragile?

You really have to ask this?  Yes, and yes.

That wasn't my point. My point is that none of th posters who crap on Kyrie for resting do the same to other players.

The double standards on this forum are hilarious

[GreenFaith1819]

Yeah I'd be fragile, too - right about now......with all of the CHARGES he's taken for the TEAM.......

I know that at one time he and Smart were tied with NINE charges taken..

Get your rest, Kyrie - long road until Mid June 2019....you have more charges to take....buckets to make...opponents to bake..