Published: April 16, 2009
That sound you just heard? That was the Boston Celtics chances at repeating exploding after head coach Doc Rivers announced that Kevin Garnett might be missing the playoffs.
Sorry Boston, but expect to be pushed to the limit by the Chicago Bulls. For a team that feeds off of defense and Garnett’s enthusiasm, this is a massive blow to the defending champs.
This now means that the C’s are going to have to depend even more on Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo. That is still a nice trio, but their anchor and emotional leader is now forced to cheer from the bench.
Don’t get me wrong, though. Pierce is still great in the clutch, Allen can still hurt you on the perimeter and Rondo is probably still the most underrated floor general in the game.
Now the emphasis will be on who fills the role of Garnett. The simple answer is that no one will, but the team is going to have to try.
Leon Powe and Glen Davis are suddenly going to have to grow up and be consistent. Powe is still working his way back from a knee injury, so to expect him to go 30 minutes a game might be out of the question. Davis, on the other hand, has seen his minutes go up since Garnett’s absence. He’s responded with averages of 14.6 points and 5.1 rebounds a game in the month of April.
I’m never one to say that a professional athlete can’t get it done. That’s too easy for someone of my stature banging away on a keyboard. Davis is more athletic than you and me put together, but I just don’t see him being consistent in the playoffs. We’ve all heard it said before, ‘The playoffs are a different level than the regular season.’
Is Davis ready to be a major factor? I’m not so sure. Some might say that all he has to do is hit those open 15-footers like he has lately and grab a few rebounds. But in crunch time, people are going to leave him open and that is when we’re going to see what he is made of.
I just feel like that is too much to ask from the second year pro.
Moving away from the Celtics, this really opens things up for the Cavaliers. Who is going to stand in their way now?
Orlando? Maybe with a healthy Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson in the lineup. Not now.
Atlanta? They’re still a few pieces away from taking that next step into contenders. Finishing with 47 wins is a great accomplishment, but there is no way they rain on LeBron’s parade.
Chicago, Philadelphia and Detroit? No, no and no.
That leaves Miami and Dwyane Wade. Wade’s been there and has the ability to take over a game unlike many players in the league (see also: LeBron and Kobe). Of course, they have to get by Atlanta first.
Either way, what was once going to be a fun Eastern Conference Finals may have just taken a huge blow.
That still won’t deter me from watching. I can’t wait for Saturday.
3 Comments on "Bursting Boston’s Bubble"
rashad on Thu, 16th Apr 2009 7:55 pm
LeBron’s path just got that much easier. I’m hoping the Hawks or the Heat can give them a challenge
Mark Barnes on Sat, 18th Apr 2009 7:20 am
The Cavs still have to get by Orlando, which has been a monster for them on their court. Should be very interesting.
Bjorn on Wed, 22nd Apr 2009 7:16 pm
You mean DWade to give LeBron a scare? Man, they would not even pass Atlanta ! If Orlando can’t give it to Lebron, then it would be a walk in the park for the Cavs.