After the Long Stretch Without Kevin Garnett, Are the Celtics a Tougher Team?

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The Celtics completed their final game last night with a win against the abysmal Washington Wizards, now heading into the playoffs where they will play the Chicago. They hoped to have Kevin Garnett back late in the playoffs, but after a press release stating Garnett was likely to miss the entire run, we might have to face the facts and go without him.

After injuring his knee in a game against the Utah Jazz in February, Cavs and Magic fans saw it as a perfect time to step in and take the top two seeds. The Cavs proceeded to heat up and gain a sizable lead over Boston, but the Magic failed to gain the second seed, which went of course went to a beat-up Celtics team.

After learning that Garnett was likely to miss at least some or most of the playoffs, Celtics' fans became devastated, knowing that Garnett was the heart and soul of the team and locker room. Without KG, the Celtics' chances at repeating look bleak, much to my dismay. Especially considering the fact that the two other star players, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce of course, look too exhausted to continue to carry the team throughout the playoffs.

Putting that all the aside, here comes the question that was included in the title; are the Celtics a tougher team after enduring that long and somewhat painful—for the fans and players—stretch without KG?

Well, its always nice to think of it that way. This time, there's actually a good argument for it.

Think about it, after the injury Garnett suffered, we then learned that backup forward/center Brian Scalabrine, who was having an exceptional season I might add, underwent his third concussion. After that, already feeling a little deflated because of the injuries, the Celtics lost forward Glen Davis for a few games.

Going to one of their last options after having a not-so-successful season, they gave Leon Powe the nod. Powe had two great games and looked to be heading in the direction of turning his season around, but we were then informed that Powe would miss most of the regular season. Thankfully, he returned for the last two games, which will help give him a little rhythm going into the playoffs.

We then turned to our last option for a starting power forward—Mikki Moore, a then-recent addition, who was still adapting to the new system. Obviously we had center Kendrick Perkins, who surprisingly, yet fortunately stepped up and produced both on offense and defense for the ailing Celtics.

To show you for a fact, I'll bring up the March 11th game against the Heat. Shockingly,—in a sarcastic tone—the Celtics fell in this game, 107-99.

With a nine-man roster, Boston was forced to place shooting guard—6-6 height—Bill Walker at power forward in the last quarter in the game. Hopefully now, you get the message.

After giving you a little background—although I assume most of you were already aware of this—on this situation, I think it's time to really answer this lingering question.

Well, lets consider a few things. The Celtics have experienced numerous important games, wins or losses, this season, many that are valuable in a team, and individual player sense. Obviously I am talking mentally, as physically they were already tough.

They witnessed a confidence-boosting win over the Cavs, a game where they didn't have Kevin Garnett. They also had to sit through a shameful 31 point loss to that same Cavs team.

They gave up a few crucial games against the Orlando Magic—crucial in a psychological way, though they did come close to winning two of them even without Kevin Garnett. They embarrassed themselves in losses against teams such as the pathetic Clippers, and the woeful Milwaukee Bucks.

So yes, I believe the Celtics should be considered a tougher team heading into the playoffs, Kevin Garnett or not. Then another question comes to mind...which Celtics players need to step up to fill the enormous and worrisome void Garnett leaves while sitting on the sideline.

Both Glen Davis and Leon Powe are some for sure. They have shown that they can score in this league, both having spectacular offensive games when playing as starters.

Davis can use his wide base and strong upper body to power his way down low, and he also has the finesse as well as soft touch to finish with ease over taller forwards or centers.

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