Is KG the same KG of old? NO! But, KG as a significant player for the C's is not ovah, yet! I am speaking from the perspective of a 50-yr old, ex college/briefly professional athlete.  Of all the teams in the NBA, the C's are sufferring the worse from the extended lockout. Along with getting older, the C's got a lot more athletic! but, at the expense of chemistry by both losing and adding so many new, key players. On top of the fact that it takes older players longer to get their skills sharpened after a long break, the addition of so many new faces has stunted the chemistry developement too. KG is thinking a lot during the action. Many of the players are just now starting to understand their individual roles. Once we get to the end of this month, you will see a different product as both the old guys will finally be in sync/shape, and the new guys will get it. Until then, all of you Nostradamas's need to focus on the PATS run to the Superbowl. If you watched the game last night, then you saw some very promising signs of this fact. Now, GO LAY DOWN!
Posted by RallyC

Are you saying this to the forum or the world because the consensus in the NBA is that he has nothing left. While we still value KG's instensity and past contributions in this town, the word is out in the rest of the league that his defense has dropped and he just can't jump anymore. Like Ray Lewis, he is a prideful man who used to dominate, so I doubt he even plays next year unless he gets some new German blood or Dominican vitamins in his body. That said, if his play continues this year, could DA even get anything for his over $21 MM expiring contract?
Posted by wfdog

KG is a significant player for the Cs because he HAS TO BE!  And because KG has to be a significant player for the Cs, as other players HAVE TO BE significant players, we don't look good.  We're just not a good basketball team because several players are relied upon to be significant players when they are incapable of being significant " enough " for the Cs to win games.  We're also not good because of the reliance on Pierce and Ray and they just are unable to produce like they once could.  There are indications though that they may turn their performances around but not so sure about KG. KG appears to be the one who has lost the most.  I don't necessarily prescribe to your notion that " the C's are suffering the worse from the extended lockout ".  In my opinion, other than Paul's 3 games, we have not been beset by injuries that other teams have that can be somewhat tied to the lockout (hamstrings, injuries not addressed during the lockout-Kobe wrist, Curry ankle, CP3 knee, Amare back, etc.). KG as a significant player for the Cs IS done.  However, KG as a significant player for a contender IS NOT done .  What the Cs need from him to win is alot more than what a contender would need from him to win.  And what KG is capable of bringing would be significant enough to a contender as opposed to the struggling Cs. I'm also not sure it's a chemistry issue as much as you suggest.  We do have to integrate our bench players but we have the same starting five that we had last season (with JON) and our first unit is not playing consistently well.  That's not a chemistry as much as it is an "age" issue which you suggest.
Posted by Petey62

KG is a significant player for the Cs because he HAS TO BE!  And because KG has to be a significant player for the Cs, as other players HAVE TO BE significant players, we don't look good.  We're just not a good basketball team because several players are relied upon to be significant players when they are incapable of being significant " enough " for the Cs to win games.  We're also not good because of the reliance on Pierce and Ray and they just are unable to produce like they once could.  There are indications though that they may turn their performances around but not so sure about KG. KG appears to be the one who has lost the most.  I don't necessarily prescribe to your notion that " the C's are suffering the worse from the extended lockout ".  In my opinion, other than Paul's 3 games, we have not been beset by injuries that other teams have that can be somewhat tied to the lockout (hamstrings, injuries not addressed during the lockout-Kobe wrist, Curry ankle, CP3 knee, Amare back, etc.). KG as a significant player for the Cs IS done.  However, KG as a significant player for a contender IS NOT done .  What the Cs need from him to win is alot more than what a contender would need from him to win.  And what KG is capable of bringing would be significant enough to a contender as opposed to the struggling Cs. I'm also not sure it's a chemistry issue as much as you suggest.  We do have to integrate our bench players but we have the same starting five that we had last season (with JON) and our first unit is not playing consistently well.  That's not a chemistry as much as it is an "age" issue which you suggest.
Posted by Petey62

Is KG the same KG of old? NO! But, KG as a significant player for the C's is not ovah, yet! I am speaking from the perspective of a 50-yr old, ex college/briefly professional athlete.  Of all the teams in the NBA, the C's are sufferring the worse from the extended lockout. Along with getting older, the C's got a lot more athletic! but, at the expense of chemistry by both losing and adding so many new, key players. On top of the fact that it takes older players longer to get their skills sharpened after a long break, the addition of so many new faces has stunted the chemistry developement too. KG is thinking a lot during the action. Many of the players are just now starting to understand their individual roles. Once we get to the end of this month, you will see a different product as the old guys will finally be in sync/shape, and the new guys will get it. Until then, all of you Nostradamas's need to focus on the PATS run to the Superbowl. If you watched the game last night, then you saw some very promising signs of this fact. Now, GO LAY DOWN!
Posted by RallyC

In Response to GET OFF KG's BACK!!! : Stop making the lockout the excuse for the C's. All teams faced the lockout. Period. As older athletes, excepetion with Allen(he keeps in shape), they should know they need to be in better shape. It will take that much longer with their aged bodies to get there now. And that is at the team's expense with loss after loss. All last night showed was how they have to come from behind to try and win games. And being out of shape and older, that won't cut it. Doc needs to ditch his loyalties and start coaching to win. Pierce and KG need to come in off the bench. Rondo needs some youth to run with him. Having KG and Pierce come in off the bench solidifies second unit. It will energize them and the C's. And it allows the young youthful talent to start showing what they can do. Let those players come in off the bench and work back into shape that way. It will keep them fresher. Again, last night showed that after making runs, this Cs team is gassed.
Posted by antiqueman1

RallyC, whoa, buddy.  Don't come down so hard on folks.  Your initial post was thought provoking and had a lot of good points.   Its ok for Antiqueman to disagree. 1. I agree with you that the C's are hurt by the lack of practice time.  More than purely athletic teams, we depend on timing both on offense and defense.  We do less one on one ("WE DO IT TOGETHER" as Doc says) than other teams.  That comes from practice so we may be more hurt than others here.  2. With that said, other teams are affected significantly.  They see more injuries and timing of their offense is off, as well.  They all have new players as well. I watched the Lakers and Mavs last night.  The first quarter was something like 15 to 15.  Shooting and offense was horrendous.  They both looked awful.  I've seen so many games like that this year due to the shortened season.  So, the C's are not the only ones affected.  And, while I think KG is in shape, he's just older, slower, and can't jump as high. Happens to everyone.  Paul, however, was likely out of shape when camp started and that made his injury situation worse.   We cannot just excuse him for that. 3. I don't think Doc can play most of the young kids too much and brings them along properly with the exception of Moore and Steimsma.  Both should play more minutes in my opinion and a faster team playing with Rondo in the middle of games is a good thing.   I acknowledge Doc sees them in practice so he knows best, but I happen to disagree with his judgement right now on how much to play the younger guys.  I believe he will play them more as the season progresses.  Clearly, however, we all have to admit that JON is just not cutting it and as good a shape as Ray is in, he's not quick nor is he a good defender.  So, giving him rest and playing Moore looks like a good move....and it develops Moore.  I do NOT agree that Ray should not start (nor do I agree with those who suggest Pierce and KG should not start).  We may arrive there at some point, but only if the team has stayed on this path and has no chance at the playoffs by say late February. Many people (announcers, writers, etc) have given up on the Cs as too old.  I doubt they win any championship, but I think with time, they will continue to improve and make the playoffs.  Not sure we won't see more than a 1st or 2nd round exit, but I do believe this team will surprise us because they've looked bad before and shown tremendous heart in digging deep to play better.   Whatever happens, I'll always love these guys for the highlights they've given us, the great season wins, and the championship they delivered in their first year.  But for a few injuries, I believe they would have had at least 1 more championship, as well.  This, however, is their last harrah.  KG cannot carry the team as often as he used to (primarily defensively) and he has no "cover man" at center to help him.  So, as the ONLY good defensive big on the floor lots of times, he gets beat.  Was a time he could pull that off but not now.   I admit that even though I just love what the guy gave us.   KG should NOT be traded in my opinion.  He should retire a Celtic and be remembered as a great Celtic, even if his skills have declined.
Posted by Celtsfan4life

KG is done period! Done, done, done, done, done, done, and done!
Posted by Fiercest34

In Response to Re: GET OFF KG's BACK!!! : Ya sure? A lead pipe cinch ... No going back on this with some boneheaded thread full of excuses .... Fierce declares KG Dead & Buried!!!!
Posted by Mployee8

He looks bad some games but he may surprise you, Fierce......like he did in the Thunder game.  Odds are that you're right, but I personally sure hope he proves everyone wrong.   
Posted by Celtsfan4life

In Response to Re: GET OFF KG's BACK!!! : KG was done the moment Pau Gasol grabbed 18 rebounds on him in Game 7 of the 2010 Finals. The commentators of that game kept saying why is KG trying to grab those rebounds with one hand. KG is the reason why we don't have banner 18 right now.
Posted by Fiercest34

In Response to Re: GET OFF KG's BACK!!! : That last statement is both unfair and untrue.  There were more than ONE game in that series. There were other games .  How about a 0-13 from Ray Allen in one loss. Or maybe 33 percent from the field in game 6.  To blame it totally on KG is ridiculous.
Posted by OneOnOne