Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 17, 2009 8:06:03 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/04/17/silence_was_not_the_ticket?mode=PF
Silence was not the ticket
Garnett should let pride go before fall
By Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff | April 17, 2009
WALTHAM - Kevin Garnett has acting experience from appearing in commercials. But even an Oscar-winning performance couldn't have hidden the pain on the Celtic forward's face as he simply attempted to run yesterday.
Shortly after the morning workout began, coach Doc Rivers brought it to an abrupt halt. There was nothing more Garnett could do to change the situation. Rivers saw Garnett's condition go from bad to worse over the last week, and made the call to end Garnett's season just before the playoffs because of a strained tendon in his right knee, which will also require surgery to remove a bone spur. Rivers made the decision because it was too tough for the prideful superstar to make for himself.
"It was a sprint, and we just didn't get into it," Rivers said. "That's how quick and decisive it was. It was long enough. There was no way. No way. No chance. He was trying to fake it. I said, 'Just quit.' I basically said, 'It's ridiculous. There is no way. You're kidding me.'
"He stopped and said, 'What do you mean?' I said, 'This is it.' And then after that we talked to the doctors and, obviously, he was not improving. Let's stop kidding ourselves."
No one in the NBA detests talking about his injuries and admitting to being hurt more than Garnett. When the 14-year veteran is out with an injury, the media will see him from time to time without being able to say anything more than hello as he quickly walks by with his head down. The Boston print media has not spoken to Garnett since he last played, against Orlando March 25.
Garnett, who tried to run before practice, wasn't available to speak to the media and now it is uncertain when he will address the injury. "He's here," Rivers said before practice. "But he just didn't want to come out and he doesn't want to talk to anybody. I feel bad for him."
Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups is in his 12th NBA season, including two with Garnett in Minnesota. Celtics center Kendrick Perkins has played with a long list of players during six seasons in Boston. But of all their teammates, both say none has been more private than Garnett when it comes to injuries.
"He's a warrior," said Billups. "He really doesn't want anyone to know what's wrong with him. If he can, he's going to get out there. At the end of the day, you're either playing or not playing. There's no excuses. That's kind of how he is. I really don't know why. That's just how he is. But at this point of the season if he's not playing, that is saying a lot."
Said Perkins, "He knows how to hide [stuff]. It's all because of his [mind-set]. He's strong mentally."
Considering Garnett's reputation as a gamer, the Chicago Bulls still are preparing as if he will suit up for Game 1 of the teams' first-round playoff series tomorrow afternoon at the Garden.
"Knowing him, he'll play if his leg was broke," Bulls rookie guard Derrick Rose said to reporters in Chicago. "We still have to think he's going to play."
Said Bulls guard John Salmons, "I don't really believe that. I'll believe that when I see it. Ask me that after we play them. I'm not buying that."
Rivers stopped asking the Celtics' medical staff about Garnett last week because he was under the impression that all was well. Garnett was expected to return to action last Sunday at Cleveland. But the return was pushed backed to Tuesday at Philadelphia, then to Wednesday against Washington, then to Game 1 of the playoffs. As of Wednesday night, Rivers said he was so optimistic about Garnett's return for Game 1 that he expected him to play 30 minutes. Team president Danny Ainge also said he expected Garnett to be ready for Game 1.
But with each change of plans it became more apparent that something was seriously wrong. In fact, Rivers said he wished he hadn't canceled practice in Philadelphia Monday because he may have seen Garnett's lack of progress sooner. NBA sources said Garnett was not responding to rehabilitation of late, was only about 70 percent, but has no structural damage in the knee. Rivers added that trainer Ed Lacerte expressed some concern recently that Garnett was regressing.
"The tendon just has to heal. It hasn't. If the tendon doesn't heal, he can't play," Rivers said.
You have to respect Garnett's toughness. But if the Celtics hope to win another title during his time in Boston, the soon-to-be 33-year-old with three years and approximately $55 million remaining on his contract must let pride go and let the team know about his health. As loud as Garnett is on the floor, it's in the Celtics' best interest for him to be louder when he's not feeling right.
"He just couldn't run," Rivers said. "You saw it in his face. He tried to mask like there was no pain. He couldn't do that. Obviously, when he was shut down he was frustrated and upset by it. But he stopped immediately. That told you all you need to know."
