Re: Boston Celtics News (2023-2024)

by **dbrown4** Wed Mar 13, 2024 10:54 am

That 75% is just slightly less than our percentage once we get to the Finals number...17/22 = 77.3%.

Lost 3 to the Lakers, 1 to GSW and 1 to St. Louis Hawks back 1958. Did I miss one?

db

by **dboss** Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:09 pm

I'm all in. IT for 15.

Only 13 are active. I could see him there. Probably would not play much if at all. But if he checks into a game Celtics fans will go freakin nuts.

I do not know of another Celtics player that gave more than IT.

by **bobheckler** Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:34 pm

John Karalis @John_Karalis
about 2 hours ago
Alley oop attempts per minute Robert Williams last year: .049 Luke Kornet this year: .047 Kornet is basically getting alley oop attempts at the same rate as Rob last season.

Bob
MY NOTE: Of course that's not all The Time Lord did but, still, this is a surprising stat.

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by **jrleftfoot** Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:51 pm

I don't see how adding IT could hurt. He has stated publicly that he would be happy to mentor some of the younger guys and wouldn't expect significant playing time.

by **jrleftfoot** Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:55 pm

bobheckler wrote:https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-jayson-tatum-brutal-clutch-time-stat-boston-fans-playoff-nightmares

Jayson Tatum's brutal clutch time stat will give Celtics fans playoff nightmares

Jayson Tatum's stats in the clutch is not a good sign for Celtic fans...

By Nathan Yasis
Mar 6, 2024 at 8:21 PM GMT-52 min read

Jayson Tatum shooting bricks with shotclock running out

Why does Jayson Tatum disappear in the clutch? The Boston Celtics superstar always seems to fall short when closing out games.

Tatum has struggled in the clutch this season, converting just 15 of his 46 attempts (32.6%), which places him dead last among 25 players with a minimum of 45 field goal attempts in clutch situations.

ClutchPoints
@ClutchPoints
Jayson Tatum has shot 15-of-46 (32.6%) in clutch time this season, which ranks 25th out of 25 players, minimum 45 FGA

The seven-year veteran grew up idolizing Kobe Bryant. From the smooth spin moves to the quick crossovers and the deft touch, Tatum's style of play bears a striking resemblance to the Black Mamba.

But there is one simple difference between the two, Tatum still lacks Kobe’s Mamba Mentality.

Despite being in a team widely regarded as one of the most talented in the league for over two seasons, Jayson Tatum and the Celtics have continuously faced disappointment when it matters most.

Boston's quest for championship glory has been marred by a series of heartbreaks and upsets. In the 2022 Finals, they were stunned by the Golden State Warriors in six games. The following year, their hopes were dashed in a grueling seven-game series against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Celtics also suffered a surprising defeat to the Indiana Pacers in the In-Season Tournament Quarterfinals, despite entering as the favorites once again.

Their latest game against the Cleveland Cavaliers was no different, as the Celtics blew a 22-point mountain of a lead in the fourth quarter.

In the crucible of clutch moments, sinking shots becomes an immense challenge, especially for star players who find themselves swarmed by two or even three defenders.

The Celtics' fate often hinges on Jayson Tatum's performance, as his style of play largely dictates the team's destiny. In crucial moments, it boils down to Tatum's ability to execute the right plays when the game hangs in the balance.

Entering the post-season, will Tatum find his groove and finally get the C's to the promised land? Only time will tell.

Bob
MY NOTE: Like I said in my post-Denver thoughts. Tatum does not have Mamba Mentality. This SOB stole my line...

"Tatum has struggled in the clutch this season, converting just 15 of his 46 attempts (32.6%), which places him dead last among 25 players with a minimum of 45 field goal attempts in clutch situations." It's hard to win a Championship when your top player isn't clutch. Just saying... Maybe the King Of The Fourth could give Tatum some advice

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by **dbrown4** Thu Mar 14, 2024 7:25 am

Before we jump off the deep end and start preparing for yet another inevitable playoff disappointment as is seeming to be implied, let's compare Tatum to Kobe, Michael and LeBron over the same times of their careers (first 6 years). I know LeBron hadn't won Jack by then as he was still milling around Cleveland and was not Mr. Clutch. Kobe? He was probably just ahead of the curve. Michael? He was still watching Larry and Magic dominate. Goose Goose Baby there as well. Prove me wrong and I'll close the door along with my mouth.

db

by **dboss** Thu Mar 14, 2024 11:54 am

It takes a clutch 'TEAM' to win a title.

Do you remember Don Nelson with the Big shot to beat the Bucks (1974)

As much as comparisons are made between Mount Rushmore level superstars, Jayson Tatum is not on that level. In the end it is always the other guys that ultimately make a difference. 1976 game 5 (3OT game) vs the Suns produced Glen McDonald who scored 6 straight points with the game on the line. Celts win 128-126 and complete the mission in game 6.

Or maybe it takes a Cedric Maxwell to bring us back from a 3-1 deficit to beat Philly and send us to the 1981 title vs Houston.

What about 1984 game 2 vs Lakers? In Game 2 of the 1984 Finals, Boston's Gerald Henderson intercepted James Worthy's soft pass intended for Byron Scott and makes a game-tying layup. Keep in mind that LA was up 1-0 in the series and a game 2 win would have given them a commanding 2-0 lead heading back to LA.

And let's not forget Leon Powe scorching the Lakers for 16 points in the 2008 NBA Finals.

NBA history is filled with complimentary players making the difference between winning or losing.

I do not care who the best player on this team is. I know that every single player on this team can and will contribute to the championship. There are so many truly great players that never won a title. It was not because they were not great enough. Rather, the teams around them were deficient.

by **dbrown4** Thu Mar 14, 2024 12:22 pm

It definitely does go to the definition of TEAM for sure, dboss. The NBA World is trying to push Tatum into Superstar status with all its trappings. And may be he isn't nor does he even need to be. He does have TONS of help around him as opposed to, say, Joel Embiid. He can be a superstar and have superstar-like games or runs, but he doesn't have to like an Embiid who HAS to carry his team.

Celtics have always been defined by TEAM. Even the two legends, Bird and Russell, would NEVER classify themselves as a superstar in today's NBA terms nor in their respective eras. They would decapitate you without hesitation if you even mentioned "superstar" in their presence in reference to themselves and their time with the Celtics.

They were just yapping about this on First Take. It's the Celtics Team vs. Jokic for the Finals and everyone to a T says DEN will repeat. The TEAM concept is on the line yet again. The best TEAM will win.

We'll see.

db

by **bobheckler** Sun Mar 17, 2024 7:45 am

jrleftfoot wrote:I don't see how adding IT could hurt. He has stated publicly that he would be happy to mentor some of the younger guys and wouldn't expect significant playing time.

JR,

Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
yesterday
New: Isaiah Thomas is getting another NBA chance with the Suns per @ShamsCharania. A closer look at the landing spot for the point guard and his potential path for minutes in Phoenix

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2024/03/former-celtics-guard-signing-with-suns-on-10-day-deal-report.html

Bob
MY NOTE: He's being signed to a 10-day contract. IT would be a good fit for the Celtics because we have the 6th best defense in the league (109.7 ppg allowed) and the 2nd best Defensive Rating (111.4 points allowed per 100 possessions), so IT's defensive handicaps could be mitigated. Phoenix's defense is 16th, and that's before adding IT. They're adding offense and compromising their defense. Where's Phoenix's offense, pre-IT? They're 12th. Adding IT might move them into the top 10 in offense from here out but will drop them down closer to 20th on defense, and a #20 defense isn't going far in the playoffs. Brooklyn had lots of offense with KD and Kyrie too. Remember what we did to them? Granted Phoenix's offense is more diverse, they have Booker, but offense isn't enough in the playoffs. The Suns front office is going all in on offense.

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by **cowens/oldschool** Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:34 am

bobheckler wrote:
jrleftfoot wrote:I don't see how adding IT could hurt. He has stated publicly that he would be happy to mentor some of the younger guys and wouldn't expect significant playing time.

JR,

Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
yesterday
New: Isaiah Thomas is getting another NBA chance with the Suns per @ShamsCharania. A closer look at the landing spot for the point guard and his potential path for minutes in Phoenix

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2024/03/former-celtics-guard-signing-with-suns-on-10-day-deal-report.html

Bob
MY NOTE: He's being signed to a 10-day contract. IT would be a good fit for the Celtics because we have the 6th best defense in the league (109.7 ppg allowed) and the 2nd best Defensive Rating (111.4 points allowed per 100 possessions), so IT's defensive handicaps could be mitigated. Phoenix's defense is 16th, and that's before adding IT. They're adding offense and compromising their defense. Where's Phoenix's offense, pre-IT? They're 12th. Adding IT might move them into the top 10 in offense from here out but will drop them down closer to 20th on defense, and a #20 defense isn't going far in the playoffs. Brooklyn had lots of offense with KD and Kyrie too. Remember what we did to them? Granted Phoenix's offense is more diverse, they have Booker, but offense isn't enough in the playoffs. The Suns front office is going all in on offense.

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Bob have you gone soft again, like when you wanted to resign Kelly O? First off whose minutes would IT cut into? Our 2 starters are very effective 2 way guys that can play either guard position, our first point off the bench Pritch is a pitbull on defense and he can be exposed on defense in bigger match ups hunting him down. What coach wouldn’t go after a 5’9” point, especially when all the other pieces can all defend at such a high level? This is teams attacking Kemba Walker all over again and again and it would make our defense worse. We have 3 very good points in Holiday, White and Pritch, we are stacked there, Hauser and Jaylen get minutes at the 2 too. Pass

by **bobheckler** Sun Mar 17, 2024 2:35 pm

cowens/oldschool wrote:
bobheckler wrote:
jrleftfoot wrote:I don't see how adding IT could hurt. He has stated publicly that he would be happy to mentor some of the younger guys and wouldn't expect significant playing time.

JR,

Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
yesterday
New: Isaiah Thomas is getting another NBA chance with the Suns per @ShamsCharania. A closer look at the landing spot for the point guard and his potential path for minutes in Phoenix

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2024/03/former-celtics-guard-signing-with-suns-on-10-day-deal-report.html

Bob
MY NOTE: He's being signed to a 10-day contract. IT would be a good fit for the Celtics because we have the 6th best defense in the league (109.7 ppg allowed) and the 2nd best Defensive Rating (111.4 points allowed per 100 possessions), so IT's defensive handicaps could be mitigated. Phoenix's defense is 16th, and that's before adding IT. They're adding offense and compromising their defense. Where's Phoenix's offense, pre-IT? They're 12th. Adding IT might move them into the top 10 in offense from here out but will drop them down closer to 20th on defense, and a #20 defense isn't going far in the playoffs. Brooklyn had lots of offense with KD and Kyrie too. Remember what we did to them? Granted Phoenix's offense is more diverse, they have Booker, but offense isn't enough in the playoffs. The Suns front office is going all in on offense.

.

Bob have you gone soft again, like when you wanted to resign Kelly O? First off whose minutes would IT cut into? Our 2 starters are very effective 2 way guys that can play either guard position, our first point off the bench Pritch is a pitbull on defense and he can be exposed on defense in bigger match ups hunting him down. What coach wouldn’t go after a 5’9” point, especially when all the other pieces can all defend at such a high level? This is teams attacking Kemba Walker all over again and again and it would make our defense worse. We have 3 very good points in Holiday, White and Pritch, we are stacked there, Hauser and Jaylen get minutes at the 2 too. Pass

Cow,

It never hurts to have a high-quality specialist for a 15th man, it doesn't matter if they're a defensive specialist or an offensive one. I'm not saying IT should get a lot of minutes, or even any minutes, but what if any one of our guards goes down with an injury? Now that Banton is gone who is our #4 guard? We're getting down to short-strokes here, I don't want Brad to add a project to the end of our bench as we head into the home stretch. IT, flawed as he is on defense, is a point machine. He scores from range, he drives and creates contact, he creates points because he's a willing passer and he already has great chemistry and experience with our locker room. If, God forbid, Jrue or Derrick have to miss a game or two in the playoffs do you really want our entire back court to consist of the one who is playing and Payton? I like Payton, and I'm not saying IT should pass him on the depth chart, but wouldn't we want/need another guard to come off the bench behind Jrue/Derrick and Payton? You don't really expect two guards to play 48 each for as many games as it takes for our injured guard to come back, do you? Or suppose it's Payton who gets injured? Who's your first guard off the bench to spell our starting back court then? Bueller? Bueller?

Bob

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by **bobheckler** Sun Mar 17, 2024 4:15 pm

In the first half of this Payton doesn't dominate Springer, he dominates EVERYBODY. Springer, Walsh and Queta.

I don't understand why Payton's working out with those 3 guys. Payton's a rotation player who plays against NBA starters and regular rotation players. He should be practicing against our starters and rotation players, not against G-Leaguers and end-of-benchers.

Bob

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by **bobheckler** Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:34 am

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2024/03/kristaps-porzingis-plan-works-to-perfection-as-celtics-beat-pistons-robb.html

Kristaps Porzingis plan works to perfection as Celtics beat Pistons

Published: Mar. 19, 2024, 6:00 a.m.

Boston Celtics News (2023-2024) - Page 10 ZFKD35LEKZF45GJ42S3M5B5WQI

Boston Celtics News (2023-2024) - Page 10 ZFKD35LEKZF45GJ42S3M5B5WQI

Boston Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis ( Cool

shoots against Detroit Pistons' Isaiah Stewart (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 18, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)AP

By Brian Robb | brobb@masslive.com

The Celtics gave plenty of rest to their regulars Monday night but one important starter (Kristaps Porzingis) returned to the floor in a 119-94 win over the Pistons. Porzingis was cleared for action for the first time in 11 days after suffering a hamstring strain in Denver earlier this month.

The center got the start in a double big lineup alongside Luke Kornet in his return as Boston went with the unusual look with Al Horford and Jayson Tatum getting the night off. Boston’s training staff has been very cautious with the big man during his recovery and that trend continued on Monday night. Porzingis played just the first six minutes of the first half in his return to the floor.

The big man ramped up his activity in the second half, playing 15 straight minutes to open the frame while posting an impressive line in his return. Porzingis scored 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field and added eight rebounds in just 22 minutes of action. He also tallied a block and a steal in the win.

“It felt great,” Porzingis said. “Yeah, just different because I had the minutes restriction. Just different spurts of playing. I barely played in the first and then in the second I had a longer stretch. Something unusual, but other than that it’s always good to be out there.”

More importantly for Boston, Porzingis looked like his old self after one of his longer absences of the year. He moved well on the defensive end with both switches and providing help from the weakside.

One of the biggest question marks throughout Porzingis’ career has been his durability but the Celtics have managed the big man quite well to this point. He had a host of minor ailments throughout the season but his absence of five games ended up being the longest stretch out of the year.

“Definitely more cautious here,” Porzingis said. “I could have played through more stuff, 100 percent. But I understand that there will be a time and place for me to play through stuff. Especially at this point in the season, we’re in a pretty good spot, and we know what’s the most important thing is, is the playoffs. And that’s what we need to be – healthy, fresh, and ready to leave everything out there.

“So it’s a different mindset here than on other teams that I’ve been on. But of course, me as a player, I always want to be out there against, no disrespect, but if it’s like Detroit, if it’s against whoever, the regular season, end of the season, I don’t care. I want to be out there, you know? Just having in mind the big picture.”

With just 14 games left in the regular season and homecourt advantage in the Eastern Conference all but wrapped up for Boston, the Celtics have nearly made it to the finish line already with Porzingis. There will be no incentive to play him big minutes for the rest of the regular season from a win-loss standpoint so the team can now strictly focus on working his way towards peaking in the postseason.

There will certainly be games left where the team wants him to build up some stamina against elite opponents (Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, New Orleans) but the team has always kept the big picture in mind. That’s something Porzingis has been willing to do as well dating back to him sitting out the FIBA World Cup with a foot injury. That cautious mentality has led to the best season of Porzingis’ career and has put Boston in a prime position to be healthy with the finish line of the regular season in sight.

Bob
MY NOTE: While we want everybody to be healthy I think that Z is the most indispensable player for the playoffs. We have enough scorers and defenders to win in the regular season, as we saw the last week, without him but in the playoffs? If Tatum is out we have Jaylen and vice versa. If Jrue is out we have Derrick and vice versa. If Sam is out, like he was last night, we have Svi for offense and Oshae for defense and energy. If Payton's out we now have Springer who will at least defend. But what if the Unicorn is out, then what? 37 year old Al Horford? I love Al but that's asking a lot over a minimum 16 wins/maximum 28 game Championship run. Same with Luke and X, both adequate but it's asking a lot of them and none of them change the game like Porzingis does (Al's close but...). They might hold their own but they don't give opposing coaches and players fits.

Our Magic Numbers are now all in single-digits. Let's stay hot, win our games and hope some losses by key teams speeds things up, and then rest up our warriors. Play some minutes so they are in game shape but play the Ready Guys a lot so they get in game shape for the playoffs too.

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by **RosalieTCeltics** Tue Mar 19, 2024 1:37 pm

WIN BIG TOMORROW NIGHT!!!!!!!!

by **dboss** Tue Mar 19, 2024 2:02 pm

Bobh

I do not believe KP is the difference maker although he makes a difference. As I have watched this season progress I see him more as a complimentary piece, allbeit, a high end complimentary piece.

KP is not the most indispensable player on this team although his availability would make the task a lot easier.

The Celtics may very well need to win without him. We should not assume that KP will play at a given level. He has minimal playoff experience (10 games total) Basically we do not know if he can make it through a grueling schedule of playoff matchups against 4 different teams and we do not know what type of playoff performer he will be. We can hope and pray but we really do not know for certain.

The Celtics have really babied him all year and that is a good thing. At the same time, this edition of the Celtics is so good that they are winning at a high rate even when he does not play.

If the Celtics were to lose one of the Jays for the playoffs they would be in big trouble. Those two fall into the indispensable category. Their size and skill levels are unique and there are no replacements for them on this team.

I think the same thing can be said for our backcourt. We are blessed with two combo guards that have size and can score at all 3 levels AND can defend all over the court. Lose one of them and who fills the void?

When you start adding up or subtracting out all the the pieces to this puzzle you come to realize that any missing piece does not make the picture look whole.

The Celtics would do well to get after it early and often and not allow any series to be extended. That may help to preserve the availability of Kristaps through the playoffs.

by **bobheckler** Tue Mar 19, 2024 5:53 pm

I was just thinking about how stacked and deep our team is.

We have the best starting 5 in the league. They've played almost 60% of all the minutes played by Celtic players so far. For comparison, OKC's top 5 have played 60.5%, Denver 62% and Milwaukee 62.6%. Our starters play less than the other top teams, and we're killing everybody.

How about vs the 2008 World Champion Celtics? 61.8% for the top 5.

Al Horford, Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser have played more minutes than Porzingis. How's that for depth? Our 6-8th men are playing more than #5 and we have the best record in the NBA by six games. That's stacked.

The next two, 9th and 10th, are Luke and Oshae.

And Tillman and Springer's numbers are only going to go up, especially Tillman's I think. Brad added quality depth and only gave up the rarely-used Lamar Stevens and some 2nds to get them. Not all robberies use guns.

I am very comfortable with either Oshae or Tillman as an 11th man, aren't you? That's depth. When you're not afraid to play your 11th man 10-15mpg against almost any competition, you're deep. 25 year old Oshae Brissett has started in 44 NBA games and he's our, let's say, 11th man?! Tillman has started in 56. Jaden Springer is 12th man because he's only 21 1/2 years old. He's a "in case of injury to a guard, break glass and insert Springer".

Bob

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by **bobc33** Tue Mar 19, 2024 6:14 pm

In Brad We Trust!

by **RosalieTCeltics** Tue Mar 19, 2024 6:44 pm

I know the rotation is supposed to shorten when the playoffs come, but, depending on how things go, some of those bench players are going to get more time that we ever thought. I wonder if Brad is comfortable with his team and will leave that spot open at the end, or will Queta get his wish and get that job? There is something that tells me that he may not. I will be interested to see what Brad does as we wind down. And yes, I love this team. As frustrated as we get sometimes, this is one fun team to watch. I am really hoping for a big game tomorrow night from all of them. I want that W. Big time

by **worcester** Wed Mar 20, 2024 12:45 am

Signing IT as our #15 would do more than bring enormously good karma to the Celts. As Bob says, IT would add a bit of experienced depth and explosive offensive to our very good but quite thin PG position. That would also garner a great deal of respect from other NBA players, many of whom feel that we shafted Isaiah. I love what he did for us, and if we could somehow reward him with a ring, it would be another feel-good story for this enchanting Celtics' season.

by **RosalieTCeltics** Wed Mar 20, 2024 7:43 am

There is something holding Brad back from making this move. I do not have the insight into the workings of management, but I feel there is a reason why he has held back. What if they sign him to a ten day and then cut him? The repercussions would be awful. Having him on the bench is almost like Fall, where that is all they heard from the fans in the crowd chanting his name. I just have a feeling something has held management back, don’t know what, I love the kid too, and hate what happened to him. We all say “in Brad we trust”. In this instance, some are really not believing that statement

by **cowens/oldschool** Wed Mar 20, 2024 9:42 am

Luke is playing so well, he can play and start in place of Zinger if he needs to be out a game or 2 in playoffs. I could see him playing next to Al or Zinger for stretches in the playoffs. Luke has grown into a great board crasher, he now knows how to use every bit of his 7’2” size. Just when your worrying about our top guys on floor moving the ball and all, here’s Luke going for alley pops and putbacks. I love the way the bench has grown during the season, they’re expanded efficiency is one of the main reasons for this teams recent dominance this stretch getting ready for the playoffs. Teams generally cut rotations shorter during the playoffs. I would like to see us stick with our depth during the playoffs and wear teams out just like we have been doing.

by **Celtics17** Wed Mar 20, 2024 9:44 am

Rosalie, Worcester

We all love what IT did in his time as a celtic, but my guess is he would be a distraction to the team. He certainly wouldn't be disruptive personally, but there would be such fanfare that it would take away what this team has accomplished and hopefully will accomplish. You mentioned the fans chanting his name etc. The team does not need that, they have to maintain complete focus. I think Brad just feels he doesn't want to disrupt the way this ship is sailing in any way.

by **gyso** Wed Mar 20, 2024 10:42 am

Celtics17 wrote:Rosalie, Worcester

We all love what IT did in his time as a celtic, but my guess is he would be a distraction to the team. He certainly wouldn't be disruptive personally, but there would be such fanfare that it would take away what this team has accomplished and hopefully will accomplish. You mentioned the fans chanting his name etc. The team does not need that, they have to maintain complete focus. I think Brad just feels he doesn't want to disrupt the way this ship is sailing in any way.

That's pretty much my feelings on the subject.

by **bobheckler** Wed Mar 20, 2024 3:24 pm

https://celticsgreen.blogspot.com/2024/03/preview-milwaukee-bucks-44-24-at-boston.html

After a 3-2 road trip, the Celtics played one game at home against the Suns and then went on the road for a game in Washington before returning home to face Detroit and Milwaukee. They will head out on a 6 game road trip through Detroit, Chicago, 2 games in Atlanta, New Orleans and Charlotte. They will return home for 3 games against Oklahoma City, Sacramento, and Portland. Then it's one game in Milwaukee before finishing the season at home against New York, Charlotte and Washington.

Bob
MY NOTE: Tough game tonight, although not as tough as if Giannis were playing (he was diagnosed with left hamstring tendinopathy). After that we've got easy games except for OKC @ home. Hopefully the game in Milwaukee is moot at that point. IF we win tonight and IF we go 5-1 on the 6 game road trip (6-0 is possible, I'm just cutting us some slack for fatigue and NOP isn't a bad team now that Zion's back) then the game in Milwaukee will be moot because they will already be eliminated from the #1 spot. Only OKC will be left and, with their Magic Number currently at 9, it would be down to no more than 3 when we play them @ home.

I did a quick Google search on 'hamstring tendinopathy'. My gist is that it lasts days-to-weeks if it is not chronic. If it is chronic then it's more like 3-6 months. No strenuous exercise, certainly no running, nor a lot of sitting since that tightens the hammy. I don't know what his condition is, how severe his tendinopathy is, but I would not take any chances at all here if I were them. Not only do they need Giannis 100% for the playoffs, no matter how far they fall in the standings because he's sitting (but not TOO much), they definitely don't want this to becomes chronic because then we're talking about possibly impacting next season too.

.

by **worcester** Wed Mar 20, 2024 4:31 pm

Hamstring tendinopathy is very poorly understood by NBA and NFL trainers. As a result, they often take 6 weeks to restore an athlete to peak condition once it occurs. My own personal trainer, Terry Simes, built a great reputation working with Olympic track athletes, helping over 20 of them win Gold Medals. As a result he became an adjunct trainer for the Knicks, when Charley Ward and Patrick Ewing were making noise for them. He was amazed by how little the Knicks trainers knew about treating hamstring problems properly and how resistant they were to learning better protocols. As a result, he left and resumed private practice in Florida, and now he's helped over 30 athletes win Olympic Gold medals. He is currently training Sha Carri Richardson and helped her win the Gold in two events at the recent World Championships.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/american-sprinter-shacarri-richardson-world-100-meter-rcna101061

Anyway, Terry helped many top athletes with hamstring strains and even tears compete and win Gold Medals within a week of such injuries. Don't expect anything that quick for Giannis, unless his trainers know about Active Isolated Stretching, Blood Flow Stretching or cross fiber massage techniques or unless he simply has a mild hamstring strain.

Kevin Johnson, when a star for the Suns, was plagued by hamstring issues, and he was able to keep on playing because he got frequent acupuncture treatments for it.

Nowadays, treatment of hamstrings with PhotoBioModulation (LED light) to acupuncture points is the state of the art treatment, at least in my profession. That's all I've got to report, except that I'm a member of Harvard Med School/MGH's monthly Zoom conference on such topics. At our next meeting I'll ask if any Celtics are getting PBM care.

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