No matter how it affects the Celtics‘ playoff seeding, Kyrie Irving plans to take at least a game or two off before the regular season ends, writes Mark Murphy of The Boston Herald. Irving said at today’s shootaround that he is focused on being fully healthy for the postseason, which begins three weeks from Saturday.
“I’m definitely taking some games off before the playoffs,” he told reporters. “Makes no sense, the emphasis on these regular games, when you’re gearing up for some battles coming in the playoffs.”
Coach Brad Stevens has talked about resting Al Horford, who has pain in his left knee, and agrees that health heading into the postseason should be the team’s priority.
“I think this is the bottom line: If we choose to rest Al in a game, or Kyrie in a game, then we have other guys who should be able to step up and play well, and they’re approaching that as a great opportunity for those other guys, too,” Stevens said.
There’s more news out of Boston:
- Gordon Hayward is making progress in the concussion protocol and could be ready to play by this weekend, Murphy adds in the same piece. Hayward, who was injured Saturday, worked on the treadmill yesterday and will be evaluated tomorrow. “Every indication is that he felt OK today,” Stevens said. “But he will go to the doctor in Boston (Thursday). If he’s cleared to go, he’ll go through the next steps and keep on going.”
- During a recent radio interview, Terry Rozier discussed the problem of having too many players who feel like they can take over games, relays John Karalis of MassLive. Rozier admits that getting players to accept their roles has been an ongoing problem. “When you’re playing on a team you’re dealing with different types of personalities,” he said, “but now you’re dealing with so many different guys that feel like they the man, and now it’s like, how do you handle that?”
- President of basketball operations Danny Ainge is looking on the bright side of a season that most observers consider disappointing, relays Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald. Heavy favorites to win the East before the season began, the Celtics entered tonight in fifth place at 43-28. “There’s been a few games here and there when we’ve played really well,” Ainge said. “It’s like you take one step forward and take a step backward, and then you take two steps forward and take another step back. But I feel like there’s a lot of good things I see on our team.”
Meh. This is the exact opportunities the young players have been wanting all season. Kyrie is just not gonna let them have the big stage this post season.
problem wit young players is they don’t focus on whose got the hand – part of what makes the warriors great on a nightly basis they swing the ball around and play to each others strengths.
And the fact the warriors are all veterans who understand what it takes to win not young players trying to make a name for themselves to get a payday.. big difference..
Tatum is 2 years from free agency, Jaylen is 1 year… and even then, Cs have complete control.
Only young player trying to get a payday is Rozier, who has been relegated to 9th man
exactly rozier talking about taken-over games isn’t what we hear from warrior players or other well coached teams – playn team ball
Did someone just say Jaylen Brown is oblivious on the court? J-Bro is not an assist guy.
Funny though, how Rozier could be the guy he’s talking about also.
Celts could get hot when it counts though. Postseasons often are where a fractured team comes together.
Boston will have a good run if they can win a game to the Bucks in the 2nd round, that will be real good for them, counting what they have shown, or lack thereof, during the regular season.