Reaction to news varies
Foes concerned, others skeptical
As word circulated yesterday that Kevin Garnett will miss the playoffs with a right knee injury, reaction ranged from the concern of close friends to the skepticism of potential postseason rivals.
Cavaliers star LeBron James said the news didn't come as a surprise.
"We all thought that he wouldn't be back for the playoffs anyway," said James. "I think it's still a really, really good team. Of course it doesn't help them that he's out because of how good he is offensively and defensively, but you really can't count them out with the power that they have still."
Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas said he wouldn't believe it until he saw Garnett in street clothes.
"I think he's going to play, knowing his competitive nature," said Ilgauskas. "But I don't know what's going on with his knee. Obviously, if we meet them, we want to beat them. I feel for him as a player and a person because I know it's killing him to not be out there in that situation, and I've been in that situation, so I feel bad for him."
The only way the Celtics and Cavaliers could face would be in the Eastern Conference finals, so Cleveland guard Mo Williams was not yet focused on Garnett.
"It will be a while before we see them," Williams said. "We're not really concerned with Garnett right now."
Cleveland coach Mike Brown had a first-round matchup with Detroit on his mind.
"I'm not worried about [the Celtics] right now," he said. "I'm worried about Detroit. If they say [Garnett is out], then why not believe it?"
Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups, a close friend of Garnett's, said the two had been playing phone tag since Garnett's injury. Billups, who played with Garnett for two seasons in Minnesota, said he planned on contacting Garnett last night.
"I'm hurt about that because I know how passionate he is and how much he puts into winning," Billups said. "It's disheartening for me to know that he can't even compete to try to help his team try to defend the championship. I know it's probably the toughest thing of his career."
Lakers forward Lamar Odom said, "Of course it's a big deal. He's a big part of their energy. It's too bad he won't be playing."
"I can feel where Kevin's coming from," said Kendrick Perkins. "It messes up his head. He can't take it."
But even if he isn't on the floor, his presence is welcomed by his teammates.
"As long as I know he's supporting us, that's all that matters," said Perkins.
Marc J. Spears and Frank Dell'Apa of the Globe staff contributed to this report. 
