KG out for the playoffs?

By Stanley


Today, ESPN reported that Kevin Garnett may be out for the entire NBA playoffs, which is obviously a huge blow to the Celtics' hopes for a repeat title. What does this mean for the playoffs? The breakdown:

-Congratulations, Chicago. Boo, Detroit. Chicago's comeback victory over the Pistons a few nights ago gave the Bulls the 7 seed while placing the Pistons in the 8 spot. What does this mean? Well, the Pistons will have to play the Cavs, who have just dominated Detroit as of late. The Bulls will get to play a more vulnerable, beatable Celtics team, a team that is now extremely vulnerable without Kevin Garnett. The Bulls have a decent shot to win this series. Will they? Probably not. But the Pistons could have seen themselves in the second round had they not blown the lead to Chicago.

-The Cavs' road to the championship is obviously remarkably easier. Now the main obstacle for Cleveland to get to the Finals is Orlando, and then maybe even Miami. If I were the Cavs, I would rather play the Celtics without KG than Miami with a healthy Dwyane Wade. In fact, the Heat could be the toughest matchup for Cleveland in the Eastern Conference just because of the D-Wade firepower.

-The window for the Celtics is rapidly closing. This year was supposed to be another championship run. Their roster just keeps on getting older, for the most part. Boston will probably be on the decline starting in the 2009-2010 season.

-As I am writing this, the Celtics' GM Danny Ainge had a heart attack. Things aren't going too well for the Celtics right now.

-Boston could still easily make a run to the Eastern Conference Finals. Just don't expect them to get too much further. What else could happen? A hurricane hits Boston? Ray Allen has a stroke? Big Baby Davis can't find a pizza place to order from?