All the lights are changing green to red

By Chad Finn

April 16, 2009

5 minutes to read

Firing up a few quick (and most likely erratic) shots about the Celtics before the shot clock expires . . .

1. Maybe I’m delusional. Maybe I’m in denial. Maybe I didn’t do the proper digging. But I simply do not believe we have seen the last of Kevin Garnett this season. Oh, he’ll miss the Bulls’ series for sure — I buy that. But say the Celtics end up going to a seventh game in the second round against Orlando. There is absolutely no way, short of amputation, that they will be able to keep him out of uniform on that night. I suppose there’s a chance the injury is much worse than the Celtics have let on and that they’ve known this fate for some time now, but I don’t believe that to be the case — I believe the injury is more of a chronic, wear-and-tear-induced nuisance than anything severe. If the Celtics can hang around long enough, we will see No. 5 again before the Larry O’Brien Trophy has a home.

2. One reason I’m skeptical (or whatever you want to call it) regarding Garnett’s status: The Celtics have been ridiculously scattershot with their injury reports and player status updates this season, and that doesn’t merely apply to Garnett, who has seemingly been day to day since March. Remember when Tony Allen was done for the season? I’m pretty sure he’s back — I saw him dribble the ball off his forehead just the other night. (Trademark move.) Remember when Leon Powe was done for the regular season? Pretty sure I saw him dropping 18 points on a statue of Darius Songaila last night. It’s not intentional, I’m sure, but the Celtics’ injury report is so unbelievable, I’m beginning to wonder if Bill Belichick is a consultant.

3. I think part of the problem is that it is Doc Rivers’s nature to be candid and agreeable, even when he can’t actually offer any definitive news. He always hedges his bets. At various points in the past few days he has said Garnett looked great, would already be playing if the playoffs were underway, won’t play in the Bulls’ series, and is done for the year. It’s pretty tough to know what to believe at this point, especially when those making the State of the Team addresses have a story that is perpetually changing.

4. Bossman Wyc suggested the club will ask Garnett to sit on the bench during games, and I suppose there is some value to having him doing so, though having him offering advice to Moore is akin to Ted Williams telling Larry Biittner to go up there and rip one in the gap. But if he’s as intense a bystander during games as he’s said to be, I can’t wait to see what he might have in store for the Joey Crawfords, Bennett Salvatores, and Steve Javies. Someone might want to get a taser just in case. Hey, but at least the Celtics might finally start getting some calls.

5. The key to the show going forward: Rajon Rondo. If he consistently plays his best at both ends while reminding Derrick Rose that he’s a playoff novice, as far as I’m concerned, the Celtics will still have one version of a Big Three.

6. Another aspect of the Celtics that those who will race to write them off are underestimating: Ray Allen’s toughness. That book is too often judged by it’s cover — with his trademark grace and never-let-’em-see-you-sweat game, it’s easy to perceive him as soft, or at least all finesse. But he shows up in the biggest moments, takes no you-know-what from anyone, and in his own way is as competitive as anyone on the team. I expect him to have a monster postseason.

7. And he gets bonus points if he gets in a shot on the relentlessly annoying Joakim Noah similar to the one that turned Anderson Varajao into a falsetto.

8. Of course it stinks that Garnett is hurt, but it must be noted that the Celts went 17-7 in his absence, and his replacements acquitted themselves very well, at least at the offensive end. Leon Powe, Glen Davis, Moore (who’s good for a few rebounds and six fouls at the least), and Perk is not a bad rotation at the 4-5 positions, and Doc always has done a pretty good job in finding favorable matchups for each them, particularly Powe and Big Baby.

9. Paul Pierce will tell us that he’s crushed for his teammate and his team that Garnett is out, and The Truth will be telling the truth. If anyone appreciates how fleeting a chance at a championship can be, it’s the Celtic who was here for all the bad times.

10. But deep down — actually, maybe not that deep down — he’s also savoring the chance to remind people that he is one of the elite players in the world. Pierce still does not get his due nationally, he knows it, it annoys him, and you bet he’s motivated to push the Celtics through a couple rounds of the playoffs without KG. In a weird way, I’m looking forward to that.
11. Should have written this a long time ago, but here it is now: Doc did one hell of a terrific job coaching this basketball team this season. Getting to 62 victories despite all of the injuries is a remarkable feat.
12. I still miss James Posey, and so do the Celtics. What, you thought I’d get through this think without mentioning him? On the eve of the eve of the NBA Playoffs? This is Big Game James’s time of year!
13. And if P.J. Brown decided to make a comeback tonight, I’d hope Doc would find him 12 minutes of playing time in Game 1, no questions asked.
14. I think Wyc Grousbeck generally has good intentions, but he’s misguided in his desire to come across as forthcoming and just-one-of-the-guys to the media and fans. I don’t think he comes across quite the way he intends to. Then again, perhaps he knows his audience better than I think.
15. For the record, I do not need to be told that the injuries to Tom Brady and KG are a wakeup calls to Boston — a.k.a. Sportstown USA fans — who are taking their teams’ good fortune for granted. Pretty much every fan I know is beyond grateful for the good fortune and great memories we’ve be blessed to receive the past eight years.
16. Do the Celtics still have a shot at winning the East? Hard to believe so today, even the most diehard fan or Heinsohn disciple must admit. I’ve been writing all season that this is set up to be LeBron’s turn, and today’s news is further evidence. But if there’s anything I learned watching this team last year, it is this . . .
17. . . . anything is possibuuuuulllllllll! Especially since the man who so joyously howled those words will play again this postseason. (If you wish it, it will come true, right?)
18. As for today’s Completely Random Basketball Card:

Get well soon, Danny. Tree Rollins is hungry.