From Chris McCosky in the Detroit News:
“I’m feeling pretty good,” he said, “and for what’s not good I know once the adrenaline gets going and the excitement of the game, I will be fine.”
He was asked if he has regained full range of motion, could he do everything he could before the injury.
“Not everything, but I am good enough to play,” he said. “All I asked for when I got hurt was that I can get back to being good enough to play. As far as being the best that I can be, I don’t know if I can get to that. We only have another month or so left. But I wasn’t asking for that. I just want to be good enough to play and hopefully I can be productive.”
Knowing this, I appreciate the long lay-off between games even more so.
We may even find, after a few games, that Stuckey is a better matchup against Rondo and Billups will dominate Cassell off the bench, even at 90%. If Chauncey isn’t totally healthy, we may still be in good enough shape as a team to pull this off in six.
Gotta say, not the headline I was looking for on the day of start of the series.
I am suprised at the number of experts and analysts picking us, but hey just play focused boys, just play focused.
Stuckey really needs to step up this series, seriously!!!
Ouch. I decidedly remember hearing that all was well. I thought we even heard that he WAS 100%. I am a little confused. Didn’t both Flip and Arnie say something like, “we don’t send players out unless they’re 100%”. I remember them saying something similar to that.
This is a little bit of a shock honestly.
Not to rain on the parade, but if CB isn’t pretty close to 100%, I’m not sure we’ll pull this off. I’m not saying we won’t, but neither would I say we definitely will. I’m sticking with Pistons in 6, but reserve the right modify that prediction if CB looks gimpy tonight…
Yeah, Detroit needs Chauncey. I appreciate his heart, I just wouldn’t want him to reinjure himself. But, even when he was on the bench in the last series he was giving up mad heart. I don’t know Celtics…
It’s not like Chauncey’s offense is predicated on his range of motion. He can do everything he normally does on offense without a full range of motion. Chauncey’s defense may come into question with this news though, but it’s not like he was quicker and/or more athletic than Rondo to begin with. This is ho-hum for me especially seeing Stuckey’s progress. We know all too well from Boobie Gibson last year that rookies CAN have an impact, and Boston hasn’t played Stuckey at the level (and for the amount of burn) he’s playing now so I’m not sure they quite understand what he can do. In any event, as long as Flip manages the situation correctly … yawn.
Yeah, Chauncey never really showed a full range of motion when he was at 100%, so I’m not concerned. His game is more about patience, control, and strength. He’s methodical, doesn’t run a whole lot, but completely controls the offense.
The range of motion thing isn’t the issue for me. Its the speed and the confidence to go hard. CB is significantly slower than RR, even healthy. This situation could exacerbate that disparity to the point it makes a real difference in the game. Too, I hope he goes hard to the basket. Driving, posting, dominating. If he feels sore or tender, he may be less willing to do that. It could happen even subconsciously.
Don’t misunderstand me. I not “worried”, but I am “aware”, which is a few steps lower than worried. I am not as casual as LB is about it, but neither am I jumping ship.
I’m staying on this ship all the way to the championSHIP. BOOM!
Go Chauncey.
Go Pistons.
Dash Rick: I’m probably too casual; I openly admit it. But Boston is such a mental trainwreck and we’re so mentally and wholly superior as a team it just seems like an open and shut case to me even with this Chauncey info. Don’t count out what he says about the adrenaline. He may feel like hell after Game 1, but I doubt he feels an ounce of tenderness during it.
OT but I thought it was really interesting: Stuart Scott just drops on NBA Shootaround, “Tayshaun Prince is just 1 of 3 guys in the last 40 years to play in the CF in each of his first six seasons. Byron Scott & Kurt Rambis are the others”.
Smooth is gonna be just fine, same with the stones.
For the most part, this team is known for turning in some rock financial rock solid performances in game 1 road games.
do hamilton and allen receive double techs in tonight’s game, or game 2? discuss. decide. pistons in 5.
In a weird way, I think the time off for Chaunc may have been beneficial in more ways than one. Yes, the hammy needed some rest but it may have lit a little more fire under #1. Anytime they showed him sitting on the bench in street clothes it looked like he couldn’t wait to get back on the floor. We’ll see. Anybody know if Maxey gets the start tonight?
If CB has limited mobility put Rip on Rondo, Billups on Ray Allen. Allen doesn’t drive to the hoop anymore so you’re basically just denying open shots on the perimeter. I’m not even sure Billups isn’t fibbing here about his health. If I was 100% I’d rather the other team had doubts about my health and gameplanned to take advantage of my bum hammy. It’s a waste of their time and then SUPRISE, Billups strips Rondo and leads a fast break.
Joejoejoe: “put Rip on Rondo, Billups on Ray Allen.” I was thinking the same thing. Allen’s what, an inch taller than CB? That would make sense, and then the faster Rip can harass the hell out of Boobie, er, Rondo.
What’s weird is that Chauncey has said for the last couple days that he’s 100% and during McCoskey’s podcast on WDFN today (before Chauncey said he’s not 100%) he quoted Flip as saying that Chauncey had a great practice yesterday and that he was quick and aggressive.
You guys think there’s any chance he’s sandbagging a little bit? You know the Celtics players and coaches heard the news about him not being 100%. Maybe he’s hoping they’ll let their guard down just a little bit.
Anyone watching the Lottery thing? Man, Larry Bird looks *terrible* Maybe I just haven’t seen him in a long time, but he could stand to lose about 15 pounds….from his face alone.
Grrrr … Bulls. Unlucky for John Hammond.