Elsa - Getty Images
AB playing dodgeball between quarters
Sounds like Rondo is day to day with that wrist injury. He probably won't be playing on Friday.
Rondo (wrist) doubtful vs. Phoenix
"It's still sore; I took like 10 Advil, so I’m OK," said Rondo. "I don’t know [about Friday's game]. Hopefully I get a good night’s rest. I’ll be in treatment pretty much all day today. Other than that. We’ll see tomorrow."
Rondo elected to push his MRI to later in the day so that he could attend the Boston's hourlong practice session at the Celtics Training Center and mentor young guards Avery Bradley and E'Twaun Moore. It's likely that Bradley, who ran with the first team Thursday, could draw the spot start, especially with reserve guard Keyon Dooling still out of action with a knee injury.
Recently Doc made note of the fact that Dooling is really more of a shooting guard anyway. Headed into the season we heard that Avery Bradley was really a better fit at the 2 as well. As far as I know E'Twaun Moore has always played the off guard position. I don't know how we always end up in this position, but once again it seems like we don't really have a solid backup point guard on the roster. With the way Rondo tosses his body around, you'd think we'd have thought that one through. Oh well.
0 recs | 77 comments
moore has played point a few times this year and seems to have taken all of bradleys mintues
i hope they start him
JuJuan some moore - January 19, 2012
5-9 here we come
So Danny tells everyone last night that Rondo us fine. Now he is having an MRI and likely out tomorrow night. Wonder how many weeks this day-to-day injury will last. When is Dooling coming back? He also is day-to-day. I am actually throwing up in my mouth thinking about Bradley starting and running the offense.
vinnie - January 19, 2012
perfect oppurtunity to pick up areans dont u think
EXER123 - January 19, 2012
No thank you, please.
mmmmm - January 20, 2012
Did you think he was going to be able to play?
I’ve been getting my mind around Bradley or Moore starting for this game ever since Rondo landed in that fall. Even if Rondo didn’t do any serious damage (i.e., he’s ‘fine’), you can’t take a fall like that and just jump right back into an NBA game.
And I think Bradley’s going to be fine. He won’t be Rondo, but he’ll be OK.
The thing he’ll have going for him in this match up is that while Nash is a fantastic offensive PG, he’s not a great defender. So it will be like opposites matched up. Bradley’s defense may help slow Nash down and hopefully he’ll have some room to get his own offensive game going.
Chances are good that on offense we’ll have Pierce running the plays anyway.
mmmmm - January 20, 2012
Glad you are confident that Bradley will be okay. I certainly am not
As for Rondo playing, I am sick of the Celtics and their constant BS’ing to the public about injuries.
As far as running the offense, I sure hope it is Pierce or someone else, because if it is Bradley this will be really ugly.
vinnie - January 20, 2012
"sick of the Celtics and their constant BS’ing to the public about injuries."
I don’t really understand what your expectations are.
They have always said pretty much what I’ve expected them to say about injuries. I don’t expect them to be 100% correct (health knowledge is rarely ever certain) and I don’t expect them to be 100% forthcoming (health knowledge is technically private).
mmmmm - January 20, 2012
I just realized something kind of funny
Remember when Bradley was drafted and we all thought that he could be the new Tony Allen… except that we only meant he would be a defensive stopper and not a crazy bananarama who could twist his knee trying to block a tip-off or putback-dunk a half court shot after the buzzer.
Watching Bradley on Wednesday, I realized that he already is the new Clownshoes. It’s a done deal. He’s defensively brilliant, freakishly quick, and every bit as boneheaded with the ball. Capable of scoring 20 a night and air-balling an uncontested layup.
Long live clown shoes!!!
sofutomygaha - January 20, 2012
If Dooling misses tomorrow night I believe that will be 5 games for his day-to-day injury
vinnie - January 19, 2012
I think it's fair to say
This organization has lost its credibility when it comes to injuries.
Celticsdude - January 19, 2012
That Shaq thing last year was the gold standard for that
green solution - January 19, 2012
10 Advils? Looks like 1-2. Weeks.
Was it the same elbow as inthe playoffs? There’s nothing worse than reinjuring an old injury. That thing really hurts. I think Rondo might be out 1-2 weeks.
Celticsdude - January 19, 2012
no was other hand
EXER123 - January 19, 2012
Waive sasha
And go sign a free agent pg to the minimum
JuJuan some moore - January 19, 2012
Play Sasha a lot
Waive Daniels
green solution - January 19, 2012
play Sasha a lot? do you like loosing games.
forever_green - January 20, 2012 via mobile
Well maybe not alot...
But Id like to see Sasha get at least some minutes.
fordescort - January 20, 2012
And the tanking begins
vgarcia890 - January 19, 2012
Give The Kid A Chance
I like Bradley. In fact I believe he is the best Defensive Guard we’ve had since Don Chaney(sorry Tony Allen).
I think Bradley can be a solid pro(and so does Danny).
Glen B - January 19, 2012
His defense is legit
Bradley running the offense as starting point guard OTOH sounds terrifying. He is definitely an undersized 2 guard not a point guard (I don’t even think he qualifies as a combo guard because he is not comfortable distributing or handling the ball for longer than a couple dribbles).
kg2128 - January 20, 2012
He actually has looked a lot better on offense in his recent stretches,
including his long stretch in the second half in this last game.
Phoenix is not a great defensive team – in particular as great as Nash is on offense, he’s not a great defender. So if we have to throw Bradley out there, this is kinda a preferred match up. Bradley’s defense may even be able to help slow Nash’s game down a bit.
Also, Bradley will have the benefit of working with the starters around him and he’ll have had a couple days of practice running with that unit.
I’m sure he’ll make a few bone-head moves, but overall it probably won’t be too bad.
mmmmm - January 20, 2012
It be worse
Because Rondo is the only ‘able’ play maker at the moment. This game could get real ugly with no one to call the plays and distribute the ball as efficiently as RR
vgarcia890 - January 20, 2012
Both Daniels and Pierce have a lot of experience running point on this offense.
So if AB can’t do it, Doc can have them do that on offense.
It’s not ideal, but we should be ‘okay’. There are options.
mmmmm - January 20, 2012
That depends
Are we getting the Pierce/Daniels of the first half of last year? Let’s hope so.
But Nash’s crafty play will put Bradley into quick foul trouble. They’ll need to bring in MP/MD to guard Nash next. Maybe we’ll see a little bit of Moore.
vgarcia890 - January 20, 2012
Bradley starting against Steve Nash?
What a brainpower mismatch that is (never mind the obvious talent mismatch). I swear that Bradley is a functional moron. I don’t see much of an NBA future for this bum. If he wasn’t a first round pick with guaranteed money, he wouldn’t have even made the roster.
TripleOT - January 19, 2012
I think this will be a great game for us
We can evaluate Moore and bradley in a featured role against a HoF pg and we will be able to see who can really ball
JuJuan some moore - January 19, 2012
This is outlandish, to say the least.
Bradley’s on-ball defense is actually really good – obviously that will come in handy guarding Nash. Offensively obviously it is a mismatch, but the game won’t be won or lost at the PG position. Overall we are a far better side than Phoenix.
He’s got a lot to learn and if he starts it will be a great experience for him.
IsItTheShoes - January 19, 2012 via mobile
I beg to differ, we live and die by Nash. if he’s less then Awesome we’re kinda hosed.
2NASHTY - January 20, 2012
I guess I should have clarified haha, for us the game won’t be lost at PG. Nash beating Bradley won’t automatically mean a Suns win.
IsItTheShoes - January 20, 2012 via mobile
agreed
our team has shown some bright spots but outside of Nash everyone forgot how to shoot. so I see your point for you guy’s to beat us the keys are outside of the PG (without rondo in the game). clearly as with any team, no rondo is a big boost for us, but in particular we won’t have to hide Nash on D with rondo out. Hill is (finally) starting to show his age, if he can contain Pierce I anticipate his offense to suffer. I think if we get killed it will up to KG. currently our best PF is a rook so we can’t be sure what we’ll get from him.
2NASHTY - January 20, 2012
I like the matchup actually
Bradley is a great defender and will be on Nash. Nash, on the other hand, is not a great defender. Bradley won’t be pressured as much with the ball in his hands.
jd35 - January 20, 2012
you feel fine talking about someone like that?
Whether or not you like his play, hes just a kid trying to get better at basketball. I dont understand cruel people.
ianboyextreme - January 20, 2012
Sadly, the interwebz is full of 'brave folks' who will say anything.
mmmmm - January 20, 2012
If Rondo does not play vs. PHX...
I hope everybody else steps up big time! We can’t afford to lose against under .500 teams!
japsuki - January 19, 2012
And this is where......
Not resigning Delonte will bite us on the behind.
LarryBird33 - January 19, 2012
I'm guessing they really wanted to re-sign DW...
…but the business part of it didn’t really allow the C’s to have him back…
a.k.a. The C’s have not much money to give.
japsuki - January 19, 2012
Injury Prone + Baggage
Are we talking about the same Delonte West that missed 58 games last year?
He is injury prone and has way too much baggage.
Glen B - January 19, 2012
It won't
Delonte was unpredictable, injury-prone and a bit crazy.
green solution - January 19, 2012
Avery Bradley starting? :/
Waive pavlovic and sign.. Allen Iverson? :O
Pietrus & Cream - January 19, 2012 via mobile
nah sign arenas wait.... iverson would be cheaper but may take too much shots his gone come with something to prove
EXER123 - January 19, 2012
Speaking of...
…No one signed Arenas?
japsuki - January 19, 2012
There's a legitimate reason for that.
A) he’s crazy. B) he’s a volume shooter. C) he’s crazy.
IsItTheShoes - January 20, 2012 via mobile
ya
but when he had it going he was fantastic.
2NASHTY - January 20, 2012
How long ago was that?
I liked Arenas pre-gun incident, but since then he’s become a shell of himself production-wise.
IsItTheShoes - January 20, 2012 via mobile
4+ years ago???
Arenas hasn’t been good in a long time. Granted, he’s been injured most of that time…but it has been a while. Last time I recall Agent Zero being an impact player was our title run.
guy incognito - January 20, 2012
before injury
he was dynamic and exciting. too bad for him he relied completely on his athleticism, when he lost that…well.
2NASHTY - January 20, 2012
So since he was "amnestied"...
…it means he’s still getting paid millions even if he’s not playing. Wow.
japsuki - January 20, 2012
DA is so dumb
SIGN IVERSON ALREADY!!! He keeps all these rookie PGs for no reason…
SparzWizard - January 19, 2012
What rookie pg?
We have a bunch of combo guards but only rondo actually plays pg
JuJuan some moore - January 19, 2012
I would rather play Bradley 40 minutes a game than get Iverson
Why get a washed up volume shooter who has had a bad attitude his whole career?
kg2128 - January 20, 2012
Agreed.
I never understand the recurring ‘Get Iverson!’ and ‘Get Arenas!’ calls.
Both are washed up head cases who have no place on this team.
mmmmm - January 20, 2012
I probably agree with this
But if it ever came down to Bradley playing 40 minutes a game, my guess is we would be talking about a 15-20 win team for the Celtics.
vinnie - January 20, 2012
I think Iverson coming of the bench is a good idea, would add much needed scoring. Bradley is useless, every time he plays he hurts his value, it’s in the negative now.
Have you paid copyright to 112 – Pietrus & cream?
forever_green - January 19, 2012 via mobile
Bradley on defense
Didn’t people often think Bradley can play great D? Now here is his chance to prove it.
Both Nash and Hill are well over 30 closing in 40, but they show more energy and life than our Big 3. So, maybe age and physical condition ain’t the major issues with the C’s.
getthat18now - January 19, 2012
Big Dudes
I think it’s much harder getting on in years on the really tall guys – who (at least are support to) run the full length of the court.
green solution - January 19, 2012
We will lose tomorrow
No one is going to guard Steve Nash.
SparzWizard - January 19, 2012
...that's the spirit! ;)
japsuki - January 19, 2012
Thank you japsuki! :D
SparzWizard - January 19, 2012
Think outside the box
If Rondo can’t go, use Pierce as a point forward. He certainly knows the offensive scheme, he ended last nights game with more assists than Rondo, he not shooting well right now anyway, and it is not totally unheard of, especially in Boston. Banner 17 went up running the offense through Bird as much as Dennis Johnson. It might sound outrageous at first, but I think it is a better option than Bradley, Moore, or even Dooling if he were healthy.
DENNEE - January 19, 2012
Typo
Make that banner 16.
DENNEE - January 19, 2012
Players get old, traded, injured, experienced. Teams evolve, and part of being a fan is rooting for you team when they are at their worst, and growing with the team.
I’m always excited to see rookies, bench players, and underdogs come out and show us what they can really do.
Rondo is my favorite player, and it hurts to lose him. Are we playoff bound if we lose him? Of course not.
This day to day BS has me all on edge.
But now is the time to root for who we can put out on the floor, and there’s plenty of people we have all wanted to see play more minutes.
ItsHarold - January 19, 2012
Dooling
so much for "we finally have a true backup point guard "
and now “Doc made note of the fact that Dooling is really more of a shooting guard anyway”
APC - January 19, 2012
Those are the things I cant stand about Doc
I really thinks like this: “Fans are dumb, and so are the media…I’ll just say any stupid ole contradicting nonsense and let them roll with it.”
GreenSlime - January 20, 2012
he really thinks*
GreenSlime - January 20, 2012
the usual
even when healthy he does not get legit rest, how many years without a true back up..how many more.
he cannot perform at a high level for 82, 66 games the way he does not get legit backup, rose has one, westbrook too… all of them really.
so when rondo looks like he is taking games off, it is annoying yes, but understandable in his scenario.
BB4 - January 19, 2012
Doc being a former point guard....
Maybe he is more critical of pgs? It might be easier for him to say that they’re really more of a 2 because of his personal idea of what makes a pg. Personally when I think of a SG I think of someone who is able to shoot- or at least be a constant threat to score. Since Avery Bradley has not demonstrated the ability to score, and he’s small, he’s not very much use at the two position. As far as Dooling goes, maybe the fact that he was the only guy who could come in at the 2 and score points made him look more like a sg to Doc? Hopefully Pietrus now being with the team will solve this problem…
Kelvin Upshaw - January 19, 2012
Doc was initially a 'combo' 2 who became primarily a 1.
So he should be pretty aware of what’s involved for both roles.
Most teams don’t have the ‘pure’ distinction between the SG & PG that we have on the Celtics because in Ray and Rondo we have two players who exemplify the two roles to the extreme.
A lot of teams run with hybrids at one or both positions.
mmmmm - January 20, 2012
I look forward to seeing AB guard Nash.....and some more Moore.....it might be OK
but if RR goes down for a long time…..it will not be pretty
Master Po - January 20, 2012
I agree with you on all points here.
mmmmm - January 20, 2012
I can't bear to watch...
I got fits seeing him “run the show” vs. TOR. He is a defensive stud though : )
KG21 - January 20, 2012
well pierce ......
will have to play point forward like back in the day so moore or bradly be insert for D nothing else
EXER123 - January 20, 2012
Bradley is good at D But horrible on offense
I would rather pietrus play pg….hell, or even bass…just not ray, cuz ray cant dribble….or pass
Kgwillkillyou - January 20, 2012 via mobile
If Rondo does not play...
it will be nice to see Bradley get severe minutes and a good test run.
His defense is great but his ball handling and passing skills could use some work so getting minutes can only help improve those aspects of his game.
fordescort - January 20, 2012
I agree... I am excited to watch Bradley in extended minutes...
People are still looking at this team like it has a chance and heck and they’re judging performance of the young players, especially Bradley, on the basis of whether or not they can contribute to wins RIGHT NOW. The reality is that this team is done as a contender and young players need to be evaluated on what they can BECOME in the FUTURE.
Bradley has elite athleticism in that PG/Combo Guard mold. He has ELITE defensive ability. Offensively he’s very raw, but he’s got a nice looking stroke on his jumper and can get to the rim due to his excellent speed and quickness.
Bradley has the potential to be a special player.
IanMello - January 20, 2012
On the brigjht side.....
Bradley wouldn’t have to worry about the opposing PG’s defense.
Los Nash doesn’t play any.
Finkelskyhook - January 20, 2012
Good news. Washburn reports Rondo MRI negative and he is a gametime decision
Also, Wilcox was the only guy to not participate in the shootaround this morning. Hopefully Rondo is healthy enough to give it a go tonight.
vinnie - January 20, 2012
Pierce playing point forward
Which is fine. Maybe he needs something like that, to get his juices flowing early on. He was very good at it last year when Rondo missed games.
Ersatz - January 20, 2012
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