Kevin Garnett News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 20

Boston Herald

"Doc Rivers didn't want to get into a debate with hypothetical history. After finishing his chat with the media at large, he was asked directly if the Celtics would have won last year's second-round playoff series against Orlando with Kevin Garnett in the lineup. "I don't even go down that road," the coach said. "I don't." Paul Pierce, on the other hand, had no qualms with making the trip. "I believe it," he said. "I believe if we just had Leon (Powe) we would have. That's just my belief." Garnett's knee injury spoke volumes, but the Celtics' transgressions may have been louder. You may recall they blew a Game 6 lead. Or you could note the embarrassment of Game 7, when they entered the ..."

Celtics man up for win

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November 19

Boston Globe

"This was a blowout that did not seem like a blowout. The score - the Celtics defeated the Golden State Warriors last night, 109-95 - indicates a comfortable margin of victory. But the Celtics never appeared to be completely certain of themselves, only briefly able to assert their dominance over a team that was concluding a five-game road trip with eight available players, including Raja Bell, who is scheduled for surgery on his left wrist. "That team scares the hell out of you,'' said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "You want to sub your guys out with five minutes left and you're worried about them making a 20-0 run in two seconds.''"

Heave escapes Kevin Garnett

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November 19

Boston Herald

"You can't exactly call it the shot heard 'round the world. For starters, the 73-foot swish that Kevin Garnett heaved in last night from just above the Golden State foul line didn't count. After a lengthy video review, referee Scott Foster determined that Garnett, who released the ball in a spinning, shotput motion, didn't beat the clock. For another, the Celtics forward was a blank slate after the game. He had to be reminded of the shot. "I did make a halfcourt shot, didn't I," he said after the Celtics' 109-95 win, getting the distance wrong. He turned to Paul Pierce and, in a mock scolding, said to the Celtics captain, "Why didn't you tell me, dog?" Told the shot was actually made from ..."

Kevin Garnett fine after scare

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November 12

Boston Herald

"His return from knee surgery considered, Kevin Garnett has to expect that the TD Garden crowd will catch its collective breath when he hits the hardwood. Such was the case last night when, after splitting two Jazz players to finish off a Rajon Rondo third-quarter alley-oop pass, Garnett slipped and ended up on his back. But he didn't remain on the floor for that extra second because of anything health-related. "Alley-oops go so fast, man," he said after scoring 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting in the Celtics' 105-86 win over Utah. "I thought foul, but it just feels good to be healthy. It feels like running through a cornfield. I know you city people don't know what it's like to run through a ..."

Sunburned

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November 7

Boston Globe

"The Phoenix Suns played their style of basketball last night. And, for much of the game, the Celtics did the same thing. The result was a 110-103 Suns' victory, ending the Celtics' six-game winning streak to start the season. Steve Nash (12 assists) directed the show and Jason Richardson (34 points, 10 rebounds) played a starring role as the Suns got into their comfort zone, transitioning and firing up 3-pointers (hitting 13 of 24). Phoenix (5-1), in the midst of a five-game road trip and nearly 3,000 miles from home, acted like they were performing before a friendly, sun-soaked, Maricopa County crowd."

Garnett blocks out nostalgia

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November 6

Boston Globe

"Celtics coach Doc Rivers usually does not call Kevin Garnett's number early on when the team plays in Minnesota. Garnett, Rivers realizes, will be so hyped to be playing in his old home that he will "probably shoot it over the glass.'' Two years after being traded to the Celtics, though, Garnett seems to have adjusted. The Timberwolves gave the Celtics one of their toughest tests of the early season Wednesday, the Celtics taking a 92-90 win, with a last-second stop by Garnett preserving the victory. "I never looked back,'' Garnett said after the game. "I have some family that still lives here. Other than that, when a new situation comes open, a new page in my book opens, I just try to ..."

Kevin Garnett passes on past

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November 5

Boston Herald

"The Minnesota crowd - as friendly a group as exists in the NBA - will always love the Timberwolves' first true star, Kevin Garnett. The Target Center fans cheered his introduction as well as his first shot in the Celtics' 92-90 win last night over the home team. But the forward later made it clear that sentiment matters little in his makeup. "It's easy to come in here and focus, because they don't have any of my old teammates here now," he said. "My history from here has passed. I did take a moment tonight to look around, but there are so many changes here that I can't relate to, so I have no reason to." Garnett (12 points, 11 rebounds) expressed hope that Timberwolves fans will be vocal ..."

Kevin Garnett scares up reaction

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October 29

Boston Herald

"The Kevin Garnett watch will never end this season. The forward left last night's 92-59 win at the TD Garden against the Charlotte Bobcats with 4:30 left in the third quarter after sliding on the floor, not because he was hurt, but because with the Celtics on the crest of an enormous run, it made no sense to keep him in the game. "Every time he goes to the floor you just want him to get back up," coach Doc Rivers said. "That was scary because it was an awkward fall. It was enough because of the lead, and it was time to come out anyway at that point. The rarity is that you see a big diving with a 25-point lead. But that's who he is, and that's who you want him to continue to be.""

Kevin Garnett all good after hard-hitting affair

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October 28

Boston Herald

"Like most fouls in which Shaquille O'Neal is the protagonist, Kevin Garnett landed hard on his back early in the fourth quarter last night. The action probably looked more serious than it was. Garnett, slowly working his way back into form, jumped up and pumped his chest. His 13-point, 10-rebound performance during the Celtics' 95-89 win against the Cavaliers was relatively mild by his standards. But numbers hardly were the point, especially once Garnett returned to quarterbacking a defensive effort that limited the Cavs to 41.4 percent shooting. "Physically I'm OK," he said. "I'd like to be better, and through the course of the season I will be. I don't have any hesitation when it comes ..."

Celtics go to great depths

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October 27

Boston Herald

"In a fit of frustration last spring, Doc Rivers said the loss of an injured Kevin Garnett prevented the Celtics from defending their 2007-08 title. The coach admitted early in this year's training camp that he was speaking out of emotion. Health, good or bad, is a decisive part of the game. But beyond Garnett's right knee, there is a recovery involved here. The Celtics were a team of great swagger during the first two months of the 2008-09 season. Helped by a 19-game winning streak, they got off to a 29-2 start. By the time Garnett went down during a Feb. 19 loss in Utah, the Celts were 46-11. From that point on, they didn't have quite as much swagger. That characteristic doesn't come back ..."

Kevin Garnett back in the flow

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October 27

Boston Herald

"The big ones always come back to a circus. You name the star - Ted Williams returning from the wars, Larry Bird from back surgery, Tom Brady from knee surgery, Dave Cowens from his odd hiatus - and the reception is overblown, relentless and inevitable. Kevin Garnett, future Hall of Famer and once again the most important piece on Causeway Street, is in that position now. The just-completed preseason essentially was a Garnett watch - a check to make sure the big forward made it through all eight games without limping off to the trainer's room. He hooked up with Rajon Rondo on a pair of alley-oop dunks during an Oct. 14 game against the Raptors in Hartford. Judging from reaction on the ..."

Kevin Garnett continues to build

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October 19

Boston Herald

"The Celtics took a 101-82 victory over the Raptors yesterday to run their preseason record to 5-1. But the more important numbers were 10:57 and 11:17. Those are the stretches Kevin Garnett played from the start of the first and third quarters, respectively. "It felt good to be out there (and) play strong, play hard," Garnett said, calling the aforementioned runs, "something I didn't even think about. When you're out there, you're thinking about execution. But, yeah, it felt good to be out there." "I'm not looking at what is going to be best for me," he said. "I look at what we've got out there and I see what's best for the team. I mean, I don't set too many individual goals. I really only ..."

Easy going into season

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October 17

Boston Herald

"Doc Rivers has mapped out the Celtics [team stats]' plan for the final three preseason games, and the forecast for the finale in Columbus, Ohio, isn't for a starry night. The people at Tsongas Arena for last night's open practice got to see more of the regulars than will be on display Wednesday against the Cavaliers at Ohio State's arena. "They're going to play Sunday and Tuesday," Rivers said of games at Toronto and New York. "None of them are playing on Wednesday, I can tell you that now. Very few of them will play on Wednesday." The reason is twofold: He doesn't want anything strange happening in the last exhibition, and the Cavs are on tap in Cleveland when the real games start. "It's ..."

Good stuffs from Garnett, Rondo

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October 15

Boston Globe

"Kevin Garnett passed the alley-oop test in the Celtics' 106-90 exhibition win over Toronto last night. Garnett converted two dunks off lobs from Rajon Rondo, the first time they have combined on the play since Garnett was injured last February. "That was nice,'' coach Doc Rivers said. "Unexpected, actually, because Kevin got kneed in the calf in the first half, so I didn't think he was running well. And all of a sudden, out of nowhere, he becomes the old Kevin. "That's the only thing, really, that you can see that he hasn't done. And to see that, that's really big.''"

Kevin Garnett takes hit, keeps on ticking

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October 15

Boston Herald

"The knocks just don't get easier for Kevin Garnett in his return to form. Last night the Celtics forward suffered an elbow to the cheekbone and, along with Paul Pierce, was decked during a one-man rampage for a loose ball by Toronto's Chris Bosh. But the collisions didn't interfere with the climb in Garnett's minutes. He delivered a 22-minute, 16-point, six-rebound appearance during the Celtics' 106-90 win over the Raptors. Anecdotal evidence is far more important right now, and nothing was more telling of Garnett's recovery from knee surgery than the two alley-oop dunks he collected off Rajon Rondo lob passes in the first half. "Unexpected, because Kevin got kneed in the calf in the first ..."

Garnett expecting to take wing

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October 13

Boston Globe

"Kevin Garnett took another step forward in his recovery from knee surgery during yesterday's practice. "He caught a lob and dunked - it was an amazing dunk,'' Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "Everybody said, 'Oh, we haven't seen that.' '' Garnett has struggled to convert alley-oops during exhibition games. "I think Doc's been waiting for me to grow wings and fly,'' Garnett said after the workout. "Just tell him to be patient, the wings are coming.''"

Garnett jumps at invite to wing it

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October 13

Boston Herald

"Never let it be said Kevin Garnett doesn't take requests. A day after his coach noted an aspect of his game that's been missing, KG made like a DJ and spun the tune. "I think he's getting stronger and stronger," said Doc Rivers. "The only thing left is today he caught a lob and dunked. An amazing dunk. Everybody was like, oh, we haven't seen that. "I made the comment yesterday that the only part lacking is that he's not as explosive yet. When he did it, he yelled out, 'Oh, I can do it.' So that was good to see." The rejuvenated Celtic was ready when asked about it later. "I think Doc's been waiting for me to grow wings and fly," he said. "I'm telling him just be patient. The wings are ..."

Garnett more aggressive with knee

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October 12

Boston Herald

"If you couldn't already tell by the empty seats and general ennui that yesterday's exercise at the Garden against the New Jersey Nets was a preseason game, maybe the fact the Celtics tried to run one play over and over in the first quarter would give you a hint. This is clearly a time for teams to work out the kinks and try new things. Evident also in the 100-93 victory over New Jersey was that the old things still work pretty well. Paul Pierce had 25 points in 29 minutes, and Kevin Garnett hit six-of-eight shots on the way to 12 points. "It's coming along better and better as we continue to play and get our feet wet," said Pierce. Garnett had six rebounds, and while it's apparent that ..."

Kevin Garnett slow to get in flow

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October 9

Boston Herald

"Naturally, he started with more clarity and power than he finished. By the time coach Doc Rivers pulled Kevin Garnett for good in the third quarter of Wednesday's exhibition season opener against Houston in Hidalgo, Texas, the Celtics forward was running on fumes. "I wanted to stay in, but that's not up to me," Garnett said after recording six points, five rebounds and two steals in 13 minutes of the 96-90 loss. "It felt a little bit different. But obviously, playing against the guys that we have on this team, you have no choice but to get better." Garnett may be going a little tough on himself. Those who shared the floor with him Wednesday noticed an immediate change. Offensive flow was ..."

Kevin Garnett passes first test

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October 8

Boston Herald

"The night hatched with the spirit of a minor league fiesta. A mariachi band performed the national anthem, and Houston Rockets cheerleaders and their counterparts from the NBDL's Rio Grande Valley Vipers as well as four different mascots roamed the sidelines. Rasheed Wallace shouted at the replacement refs and gave the crowd a charge by picking up his first technical foul as a Celtic, and Kevin Garnett seemingly didn't lose a step during his absence. Beyond all the frills and thrills, that was the most important development to come out of the Celtics' 96-90 loss to Houston in last night's exhibition opener. The Celtics forward, recovering from knee surgery, hit his first two shots - a pair ..."

Doc Rivers will keep eye on Kevin Garnett

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October 7

Boston Herald

"While all Green eyes are certain to be on Kevin Garnett tonight when the Celtics take the floor in Hidalgo, Texas, for their preseason opener against the Rockets, Doc Rivers doesn't see this as a grand opening. "No, it's just another day," the coach said after yesterday's practice. "I'm sure it'll be billed as that though. You know, he's back on opening night as far as I'm concerned. Right now he's just going to play basketball." The Celts will continue to try to manage Garnett through his comeback from right knee surgery, though both the club and player reiterated there is no trouble with the repaired area. But Rivers noted he'll keep KG out if the shin splints and calf problems persist. ..."

A live show by Kevin Garnett

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October 4

Boston Herald

"Kevin Garnett's comeback from knee surgery took a few more steps forward last night. The first of those steps were on the court during a scrimmage when he was able to go full out and even execute a nice wraparound pass with Rajon Rondo. The latter step came when he was asked about the play and flashed a sense of humor that made you realize he's just fine with the rehab from right knee surgery. "I'm coming off an injury. I'm not dead, you know?" he said, smiling as he went. "I can still make the plays. I can still play defense, and I know how to play. I'm still me, now. I ain't in my grave yet. They ain't shot Old Yeller yet. They ain't shot him yet. They ain't took him in the back and ..."

Garnett: "I don't have any knee problems."

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October 4

Boston Globe

"Kevin Garnett said Saturday that his knee is pain free and he feels more flexible with his surgically repaired right knee than at any time since the operation. Garnett was nimble running the court at Salve Regina University and didn't favor the right leg as much as Tuesday, the first day of training camp. Here is the complete interview with Garnett: What did you think of the second team's performance?"

Kevin Garnett remains relentless

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October 3

Boston Herald

"It is cliche that actions speak louder than words, but there was comfort in that concept as the Celtics finished up a scrimmage toward the end of yesterday's training camp session. Kevin Garnett has been telling us since Monday that his surgically repaired right knee feels fine, and there is no reason not to believe him. Still it has warm Celtic Nation to know KG is willing to walk - and run and cut and jump - the talk. It was therefore quite interesting when Shelden Williams tried to replace Garnett on the fly during the game, only to get a straight-arm worthy of the Heisman Trophy model. "He said four minutes," Garnett barked as Williams went back to the sideline. A few moments later, KG ..."

Systems are go for Garnett

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October 1

Boston Globe

"Kevin Garnett's right knee passed a tough test during practice yesterday. He not only went the distance in a two-hour workout, he quickly recovered from a blow to his leg to continue. "I got kicked in the leg, I hobbled over and worked it out,'' Garnett said. "And, two seconds later, I was back on the court. So, those are all signs of good basketball, because there's going to be contact - I just got to play through it. "The leg is going to tell you, or whatever is injured on you, is going to tell you that you can't go - stop. It's not going to be something you have to think about. I had a long talk with Tony Allen and he said, 'Kevin, don't think about the leg,' and that's what I'm trying ..."

Kevin Garnett puts knee to test

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October 1

Boston Herald

"From the first day of his first Celtics [team stats] training camp, Kevin Garnett has been the one to dispense advice, to call a young teammate over to his locker with the goal of hashing out a problem. But it was time for someone to return the favor yesterday. Garnett is recovering from the first major injury of his career, and even he needs help sometimes navigating back to complete health. That's why Tony Allen, who knows a thing or five about dealing with the uncertainty of post-surgical recovery$ 'ad something to give back to Garnett yesterday. "It's crazy," Garnett said after his second practice of training camp yesterday. "I was over there talking to Tony Allen and he was telling me ..."

Full speed ahead for Garnett

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September 30

Boston Globe

"Aches and pains do not discourage most professional basketball players. The Celtics' Leon Powe provided a graphic example late last season, as he tore an anterior cruciate ligament but attempted to run the court until his left knee simply would not allow him to. Kevin Garnett adopted a similar mind-over-matter stance as he played with a bone spur in his knee. It is difficult to measure pain, but the size of the spur - described as nearly as big as a walnut - provides an indication of just how much Garnett might have been suffering."

Celtics 1st practice tests KG's patience

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September 30

Boston Herald

"Doc Rivers, not for the first time, caught the heat of Kevin Garnett's ire on his ears yesterday. At issue was the Celtics coach's decision to pull Garnett off the floor late in the first practice of training camp. Those are, after all, an expensive pair of knees - one of them surgically repaired - that Rivers is attempting to protect. And so Garnett vented. That's a good thing. The big guy must be feeling good. He wants to stay on the floor. "I just have to be patient with what (trainer) Ed (Lacerte) and Doc are telling me," Garnett said. "When you're going and competing, I'm a very prideful person, I take my work very seriously. I take getting better seriously, and when you prohibit that ..."

Garnett back, a bit uneasy being Green

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September 29

Boston Globe

"He's not "The Kid'' anymore. Playing with youthful enthusiasm and keeping himself in premium condition perhaps has extended Kevin Garnett's career, but it couldn't prevent a troublesome bone spur from growing in his knee the past few years. Garnett admitted yesterday as the Celtics met the media before today's official opening of training camp that his right knee injury last season was more severe than expected. What was anticipated as a one-month rehabilitation turned into him missing most of the second half of the 2008-09 season and the playoffs. Coach Doc Rivers declared that Garnett has no limitations when camp begins in Newport, R.I., but Garnett got a glimpse of his eventual NBA ..."

Now that's the Ticket

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September 29

Boston Herald

columnist Steve Bulpett

"Go ahead and exhale. Kevin Garnett is fine. The Celtics power forward started playing fullcourt 5-on-5 basketball last week, and his surgically repaired right knee has shown no lingering effects of the trouble that limited him to 57 games last season. When training camp opens today in Newport, R.I., he will have no restrictions. "I'm going full blast," Garnett said yesterday during Celtics media day. "I don't think when you get in camp you can go half-(speed) or anything like that. Doc (Rivers) and I have talked about time and taking it easy. We'll listen to Ed (Lacerte, team trainer), the doctors and what they're telling me. I'm being patient with that." The Celtics postponed Garnett's ..."

Garnett on mend from surgery

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September 28

ESPN.com

"Kevin Garnett is not only ready to go, he has been ready -- and he's been scrimmaging 5-on-5 with his Boston Celtics teammates for the past week. That was the newsiest nugget to come out of Boston's media day Monday as Garnett pronounced himself almost fully healthy and completely ready -- and even a few pounds lighter than usual -- to make a strong comeback from the right knee injury that prematurely ended his season last spring and forced him to undergo surgery over the summer. After spending much of the summer rehabbing in Las Vegas, Garnett returned to Boston earlier in September and had been participating in drills with his teammates until a week ago, when he began scrimmaging again. ..."

Garnett making progress

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September 17

Boston Globe

"The Celtics are looking forward to the return of Kevin Garnett, and he is progressing in his recovery from knee surgery, according to president of basketball operations Danny Ainge. "Kevin looks good, he's in here working out every day,'' Ainge said yesterday from the team's practice facility in Waltham. "He's doing his training, but he's not playing full-court basketball yet."

Kevin Garnett can't wait to play again

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July 10

Boston Herald

"At yesterday's Celtics press conference to introduce newly signed big man Rasheed Wallace, forward Kevin Garnett could barely contain his excitement. While Garnett is looking forward to playing alongside his longtime friend, he is also eager to get back on the court after a knee injury ended his season prematurely. "I'm feeling great," Garnett said as he sat at the dais on the team's practice court at HealthPoint in Waltham. "If (team trainer) Ed Lacerte wasn't here or if we didn't have so many people around, I'd take off running right now." Garnett underwent arthroscopic surgery and had bone spurs removed from his right knee on May 26. The status of Garnett's knee was a constant source ..."

Kevin Garnett on mend

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June 24

Boston Herald

"Danny Ainge jokingly put the odds of finding a usable player with the 58th pick in the draft at "3" percent yesterday. A more important issue for the Celtics - indeed, the only one that matters - continues to unfold in Malibu. That's where Kevin Garnett, after a month of rehabilitation in Waltham, continues his comeback from knee surgery. The good news, according to Ainge, is that the Celtics forward "should be 100 percent by the time we start training camp." The date for Garnett's return to the practice floor is a tad hazier. "I don't have that date," said Ainge, the Celtics general manager. "I'm actually meeting with my medical staff (today) to get some updates. But the last (update) I ..."

Garnett looking forward

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June 4

Boston Globe

"Kevin Garnett's recovery from right knee surgery apparently is going well. Garnett expressed optimism in a recent conversation with team owner Wyc Grousbeck, who spoke yesterday at a corporate sponsorship event at the Boston Harbor Hotel. "I talked to [Garnett] and he guaranteed the championship in 2010 and in 2011," Grousbeck said. "He was as fired up as he's ever been." Doctors removed bone spurs from Garnett's knee May 26. He is expected to be ready for training camp in late September. Not at his best Guard Ray Allen confirmed he was playing with a hamstring strain during the second round of the playoffs. "It was something I had to deal with," Allen said. Allen did not talk about the ..."

Garnett undergoes knee arthroscopy

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May 27

Boston Globe

"The Celtics are expecting the now surgically repaired Kevin Garnett to be completely ready when training camp for the 2009-10 season begins. Garnett underwent an arthroscopy yesterday at New England Baptist Hospital that included the removal of posterior bone spurs from his right knee. The surgery was performed by Celtics physician Brian McKeon, assisted by Michael Belkin and John Richmond. An NBA source said Garnett, 33, is expected to be out 6-8 weeks. He is expected to do rehabilitation in Boston first before continuing it in his offseason home in Malibu, Calif. "There were no surprises," said Celtics president Danny Ainge. "I just spoke to him [Sunday] night. He seemed like he knew ..."

Surgery spurs Kevin Garnett

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May 27

Boston Herald

"There were no unexpected obstacles for team physician Dr. Brian McKeon when he entered Kevin Garnett's right knee yesterday - which means the 2009-10 Celtics season has started off on the right foot. Spurs were removed during the procedure at New England Baptist Hospital, and McKeon, assisted by Drs. Michael Belkin and John Richmond, were obviously pleased to find no structural damage. "They didn't have to touch the tendon," Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said in a telephone interview. "They never thought they would. "There were really no surprises throughout the procedure. They just went and cleaned out some wear and tear and got rid of the spur in the back of the ..."

Garnett's surgery is next week

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May 20

Boston Globe

"The Celtics' Kevin Garnett will have surgery to remove bone spurs in his right knee next week. The operation will be performed by team physician Brian McKeown. "They seem to think it is a straightforward surgery and Kevin will be recovered 100 percent by training camp," said Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge. "Having Kevin back on the court with the team is a priority for us." Garnett is expected to return in 6-8 weeks, according to an NBA source. Ainge said no other Celtic is likely to be subjected to a medical procedure in the offseason, though coach Doc Rivers indicated that surgery was being considered for Kendrick Perkins (left shoulder) and Paul Pierce (ankle ..."

Garnett in a suit, but not suiting up

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May 2

Boston Globe

"Don't expect a Willis Reed moment for Kevin Garnett in Game 7 against the Bulls tonight, or as long as the Celtics are alive in the postseason. Team president Danny Ainge said yesterday via text message there are no plans for Garnett to play until next season. Garnett has not played since March 25 in Orlando because of a right knee sprain. He is expected to have bone spur surgery on the knee, and had been holding off in hopes of returning. Garnett suffered the injury at Utah Feb. 19. While coach Doc Rivers early on had left open the possibility of Garnett returning this season, he recently likened the odds to that of winning the lottery. Garnett, who turns 33 May 19, has three years and ..."

Celtics' GM: Kevin Garnett won't play in Game 7

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May 2

Chicago Sun-Times

"Kevin Garnett won't be a surprise starter for the Boston Celtics when they host the Bulls tonight in Game 7. Celtics president Danny Ainge put a stop to such speculation Friday when he told the Boston Globe that Garnett is expected to be out for the season with a knee injury. ''I'm not planning on him the rest of the season,'' Ainge said. Celtics coach Doc Rivers ruled Garnett out before the series started. Garnett missed 22 of the Celtics' last 26 regular-season games because of a strain of the popliteus tendon, which sits at the back of the knee. The tendon strain must heal naturally, and has taken longer than anticipated. Garnett will likely have offseason surgery on his right knee to ..."

No changes to Kevin Garnett's status

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April 23

Boston Herald

"Another practice, another morning in the back room getting treatment for Kevin Garnett. And once again the window for a return has been left cracked open in case the injured forward's condition improves. "It's the same, no change," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said after yesterday's practice in Waltham, which preceded a flight to Chicago for tonight's Game 3 of a first-round playoff series vs. the Bulls. "The thing is that he's just doing rehab. He does it every day, and I think he should do it because you never know. There is the chance the tendon could let go one day, you never know." The problem Rivers referred to is an inflamed tendon, attached to muscle, that has locked up Garnett's right ..."

Kevin Garnett surgery put on hold

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April 22

Boston Herald

"Kevin Garnett may feel an extra tug to get back now that Leon Powe is out for the season, but Doc Rivers stressed yesterday that the situations are unrelated. "I don't think anything influences that," the Celtics coach said of Garnett's right knee strain. "It is what it is with him. It doesn't change one way or the other." What has changed is Garnett's surgery timetable. He now agrees with the team and will wait until every possible avenue to get him back in these playoffs has been exhausted. "He's not going to do it right now," Rivers said of the procedure. "He was looking and searching for it and then he just decided to wait." While the level of hope that Garnett might play again this ..."

Doc's orders: Wait, Kevin Garnett

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April 20

Boston Herald

"There may be yet another act in the Kevin Garnett saga. It was reported in yesterday's Herald that the All-Star forward is planning to have surgery soon on his injured right knee, and sources continue to indicate he's heading in that direction. But a day after reiterating Garnett won't be coming to the Celtics' rescue in these playoffs, coach Doc Rivers said privately after his post-practice press conference that he and the team would like Garnett to hold off on the surgery. Then, at 3:14 yesterday afternoon, the story took another twist when Garnett appeared on the team's practice floor wearing full workout gear. He proceeded to dribble a basketball as he walked slowly around the ..."

Rivers finds inquiries unsuitable

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April 19

Boston Globe

"The influence of the injured Kevin Garnett was felt by the Celtics, at least in the first half of their 105-103 overtime loss to the Bulls yesterday in their playoff opener. Garnett, dressed in a gray suit, was on the bench and participated in timeout strategy discussions and delivered a pep talk to Glen Davis. But Garnett retired to the locker room for the second half. Asked why, coach Doc Rivers said, "Guys, Kevin is not playing in these playoffs. I'm not answering Kevin Garnett questions. I didn't even notice, honestly, until someone told me that he wasn't on the bench, and I could care less. "He was on the bench in the first half and we were down 8 points. So this is about the players ..."

Kevin Garnett eyes surgery date

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April 19

Boston Herald

"Any lingering speculation regarding a return by Kevin Garnett in these playoffs should be coming to an end soon. According to sources, Garnett is seeking a date to have surgery on his right knee sooner rather than later. "The knee is hurting him too bad right now," one source said. "He just can't play." According to another person with knowledge of the situation, Garnett sought advice from non-Celtic medical sources on remedies that could allow him to play through the end of this season. And there were points in recent weeks when it seemed the program of rest and rehab were working and that Garnett would be able to go. But when the soreness returned and increased, the options went away. ..."

The Garnett Factor

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April 19

New York Times

"Getting ready to face the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the N.B.A. playoffs was hard enough, but adding to Boston's concerns was the announcement Thursday that the Celtics' star forward Kevin Garnett, above, may miss the postseason with a knee injury that has kept him out of all but sporadic action since Feb. 22. Having finished the season with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, 62-20, the Celtics had shut down Garnett in hopes of having him back to help defend their title, but that now seems unlikely. Talking to reporters Thursday, Ray Allen, the team's second-leading scorer, tried to put a good spin on the news, saying: "If you get to the last game and hoist another ..."

Kevin Garnet down, out

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April 18

Boston Herald

"In the frenetic life of Kevin Garnett, yesterday qualified as a holiday - albeit an unwanted, frustrating one. The Celtics forward, scratched for the playoffs barring an unforeseen improvement in his sore right knee, was suddenly the guy on the couch. "He's not doing any rehab today," Doc Rivers said after yesterday's practice. "Not doing anything today. He's just sitting around - sitting in at the big men's meetings, doing what you do. I've been through that as a player, and it's no fun. "He's been great. I told the bigs yesterday that Kevin is going to be involved as far as telling us what he sees." But forget about giving him a title, like assistant coach. "I don't even want to give him ..."

Kevin Garnett's new role: Cheerleader

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April 17

Boston Herald

"NBA referees are on notice. Bring ear plugs. The tall, bald guy on the end of the bench is shouting at himself, not you. Forward Kevin Garnett, per request of Celtics management, is about to fill a role he is known to hate, as a non-playing member of the bench. "He will be on the bench," Doc Rivers said after making the announcement that, barring a miracle, Garnett will not play in the playoffs. "I told him that we need him out there. "We just hope that he doesn't get a technical." All concerned know how beneficial even an inactive Garnett can be. Throughout his inactivity - Garnett played in only four of the last 29 games of the season - the All-Star forward watched home games in the ..."

Celtics lose Ticket

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April 17

Boston Herald

"When Kevin Garnett walks through that door tomorrow he'll be limping - and in street clothes. Such was the message drummed home to the Celtics forward's teammates yesterday, after Doc Rivers said Garnett likely will be shut down for the playoffs following a painful morning workout. The C's coach said he could tell something was wrong "two steps" into Garnett's early-morning run. Though Rivers last week was encouraged by the All-Star's recovery from a strained tendon and muscle in his right knee, yesterday marked a dramatic setback. Rivers said there is a slight chance Garnett could play again this season if the Celtics go deep enough in the playoffs, though the possibility is remote. "He's ..."