North Station Sports

(courtesy of new.com)

Last night, I was taking my time getting to NBA League Pass for the Pacers game. Why rush? Tommy was not on the CSN broadcast so pregame would not be nearly as entertaining. I also had some gifts to wrap (I’m terrible at it). So, as I was playing Martha Stewart and attempting to pretty-up some gifts for the family, I received a text message on my Verizon Droid announcing KG’s absence from the line-up. I committed a Martha Stewart no-no when I immediately threw together the last gift’s wrappings, enabling me to get to League Pass a little faster. Martha will have to forgive me, KG’s health is a number one priority this holiday season.

I was a shocked (but not surprised) to hear that Garnett would sit out with a right thigh bruise that was not linked in any way to his off-season knee surgery. That was all the information really supplied until the post game coverage of the C’s 103-94 come from behind win over the Pacers. After the game, Paul Pierce told the media,

“The fate of how far we go lies on how healthy Kevin is,’’ Pierce said. “So you definitely want him to be all right. From the look of things he’s going to be all right.’’

No shock there! It is an obvious assumption that the C’s will suffer a similar fate to last season if Garnett (God Forbid) is not preserved for the playoffs.

Thigh bruises are common in the NBA yet I initially found myself questioning the severity of any KG bump or bruise after the deception played by the Celtics on fans during last season’s “tendon-gate” fiasco.

Doc Rivers subdued my concerns slightly when he told the Boston Globe:

“He said that’s where he got hit,’’ Rivers said. “And, of course, he hadn’t told anyone until, I think, today.’’

“He wasn’t thrilled with it,’’ Rivers said. “But I think he’s better this year than he was last year. You know, yesterday, he actually sat down in practice and Paul [Pierce] walked over to him and said, ‘Wow, someone’s growing up.’ You know, instead of fighting through it. He has that warrior mentality, sometimes it’s to his detriment.’’

(Courtesy of SI.Com)

Rivers went on to say that last night’s DNP for Garnett was a way of resting him for the all-important Christmas Day game against in Orlando.

I am not over-thinking this one. I think it’s a minor bruise that affords Doc an opportunity to give the Celtics’ emotional leader some well deserved rest. Rivers, who must employ a coach Pop mentality this season, knows the importance of having a rested team entering the post season. That will require him giving his veterans a few DNP’s along the way. Garnett is not one for accepting a DNP without a fight.

I am not suggesting that Garnett is not in pain. I am sure he is. I am simply saying that, had last night been against the Lakers, Cavs or Magic, Garnett would have been on the parquet. Another great example of how Doc Rivers uses a management through positive manipualtion strategy.