Death of the Boston Celtics?

The Boston Celtics are in trouble.

Now, why would I say a thing like that?

After all, as of this moment, they have the second best record in the East, the third best record overall, a 7-3 record over the past 10 games, and are on a two game winning streak.

Normally that would translate into confidence and a plethora of touts predicting a title repeat.

But the Celtics have a potentially terminal illness. It’s called “KG Injur-itis.”

There is no way the Celtics can win the East, much less repeat a championship without a healthy Kevin Garnett.

KG is a leader, the heart and soul of the vaunted Celtics defense, and a major factor on offense. The Celtics have successfully limped through the latter part of the regular season without a healthy KG, but the playoffs will be, as they always are, a different battlefield.

An unrelenting barrage of series with the likes of Dwight Howard’s Magic, D-Wade’s Heat, Bron Bron’s Cavs, the suddenly tough Sixers or the always pesky-to-the-Celtics-in-a-series Hawks are too much of a gauntlet for a "KG-ain’t-right” Celtics team.

And KG-ain't-right!

I have the utmost respect for Doc Rivers.

However, when he says he’s just resting KG until the last few regular season games to ensure KG’s readiness for the playoffs, I say, ”Puke-green bull stuff!"

With eight games to go, the Celts are five-and-a-half games behind the Cavs and just half a game ahead of the third place Magic. And Doc is resting his warrior just to be on the safe side?

Yeah…sure…and I can see Russia from my back yard…in Michigan!

The most telling aspect though is KG himself.

I just called him a warrior…and he is.

The man never complains and can play through pain with the best of them. Yet, he hasn’t uttered a peep about “really being able to play if needed” as Doc claims or even a hint that he’s really not in agreement with Doc’s decision.

That tells me that Da Big G is not only hurting, but is far from being ready for a grueling playoff run.

So, perhaps the Celtics aren’t dead yet, but without a healthy and productive KG, they’re definitely on delayed, but imminent life support.

That’s my take. How do you see it?

Join in the discussion on this and other topics in the NEW Sports Jabber Forums!