Yeah. I get wanting to play. But as a casual I’d rather see 10 more good years than one ok game.

Maybe they’ve learned their lesson after what happened to IT.

Embiid was dirty af that series; actively tried to injure Mitch at one point, it was crazy. In retrospect, my man was probably on high powered opiates to even step on the floor. He might not have been himself, lol. Remember when it looked like he destroyed his knee then he somehow came back the same game?

He even tried taking it out on mitchell robinson. Sad to see

Increase your fiber intake then

Acting like you guys weren’t playing with house money whether or not Tatum was back or not. They’re the two seed for a reason and you guys were a play in team.

I’m honestly considering not even watching because I’m so sure now we will shit the bed and get cooked by a role player. Thats how messed up this team has my head for decades. 

Celtics did play most of the season without him, I don’t think it would be embarrassing to lose this one

Yeah one of my biggest gripe with kobe was him doing everything possible to take that lakers team to the playoffs in 2013. Cost us our entire window

Tbf, he did it in 2010 and won a ring.. but still

Honestly, depends on the situation.

First round of the playoffs? Sit his ass

Finals game 7, boy I don’t care if you’re gonna have to amputate after the game I want my best player playing.

This ain’t load management. Dude is dinged and still is not whole from his previous grave injury. It is what it is. Can’t go.

Wasn’t it an achilles? 

Whatever it was the same still applies

He left game 6 with an injury to his left leg, they didn’t list him on their mandatory injury report yesterday, and then they added him today with an injury to his left leg.

They were trying to hide his injury status.

They’re 1-2 against Philly since Embiid came back and now they’ve lost their best player. They’re cooked

On the one hand, the bench mob has had its minutes repressed and could show out.

On the other hand, “playing hard” isn’t enough when everyone is playing hard. Can Hugo and Baylor et all make a difference?

I guess that’s why they play the game.

This

as someone said in another thread, the celtics were a very good (not great) team this season that was coached really well and just played harder than anyone else. however, talent rises in the playoffs. 

without tatum being fully back, healthy, confident and leading this team, they are not contenders, no offense to brown. it’s just how it is. there is a reason why the +/- numbers for both of them are what they are and why tatum has led the team in p/r/a every year and has four all-nba 1st team selections.

edit: and even if tatum was fully recovered, the loss of talent like jrue, horford and porzingis was going to show in the playoffs. they have to reshuffle this squad next year to contend again. all the moves the front office made this year were with the intention of saving as much money as possible, which was the right move considering tatum’s absence from the team. 

they showed grit, pride, resilience and a winning mentality. that’s more than enough to feel content with the season. even if they win tonight, i wouldn’t risk tatum’s long term health for a deeper playoff run this year.

Tatum’s style of play translates to playoffs. You need shot creators.

The Celtics got the 2nd seed by having a deep bench and playing a lot of hustle guys.

You need Tatum to do anything. Maybe they beat Philly tonight but who cares. You need Tatum to win the ship

Absolutely takes them from juggernaut to regular strong East team

To me its more about next series even if they win. Aren’t getting past the Knicks without Tatum and I don’t think I’ll be comfortable with him coming back.

Philly will have 4 of the 5 best players on the court

To be honest everyone expected a gap year from them. But for them to make it this far, whatever the outcome I’m happy.

Exactly, too many idiots worrying about tough guy bravado instead of long term health/career

Not going to look like a tough guy when you go out and reinjure an achilles and have to be out another year or two because you wanted to show how macho you were