We're less than a week into the NBA preseason, and the Celtics are already crying for mercy. Three games down, still five to go, and the C's have had enough.
"We've got to find a way to get down to five preseason games," Doc Rivers joked at Monday's practice. "Wouldn't that be terrific?"
Rivers is working with a veteran team, a collection of guys who have made their rounds in the NBA and know all the angles. They don't have much use for preseason games — they're ready for the ones that really count, and they're loath to expend any precious energy before the regular season tips off on Oct. 26.
And yet here they are, slogging their way through a grueling week of five exhibition games in seven days.
The C's enter Tuesday night's tilt with the Philadelphia 76ers with a pristine 3-0 record in preseason play, including a 93-65 laugher over the Sixers in last Wednesday's opener, but it wouldn't be a bit surprising to see that undefeated record take a little slide this week.
Rivers will have to start resting his veterans this week to keep their legs fresh for the regular season. As much as the C's would love to put their best foot forward in last five preseason contests, health is a premium.
The minor injuries have already started to creep up — Avery Bradley has yet to play as he recovers from ankle surgery, Jermaine O'Neal has battled hamstring soreness, and back spasms have been a nagging problem for Delonte West. And now the oldest Celtic, Shaquille O'Neal, is dealing with an arthritic hip that has limited his practice time this October. At the moment, he's the biggest health concern of all.
"Shaq will not go [Tuesday]," Rivers said. "I'm not sure who will go. Shaq won't go because of his hip — I was going to sit him anyway. But I may sit three or four guys tomorrow. I'm not positive about that."
A wave of other DNPs may surface in the near future. You can expect the Celtics' veteran Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to sit out at least one game this week, and both O'Neals will see substantial minute cutbacks because of their health issues.
But it's tricky for Rivers, who's trying to balance two competing goals — resting his starters and experimenting with his two veteran centers in the starting five.
"This is the decision we have to make," the coach said. "I wanted to see Jermaine in the starting lineup [Tuesday], but now I may sit other guys. So maybe I'll wait until the New York game — it's a back-to-back, and I don't want our guys playing both games. So we'll see. I have no idea right now."
Just two weeks away from the start of the regular season, the Celtics have five games left to fine-tune their rotation for their big opener against the mighty Miami Heat. The C's aren't yet feeling the urgency, but they no doubt will soon.
