CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: Random thoughts on Staplegate and More

When Simmons posted his Tweet about KG having staples in his knee I just kind of blew it off as BS being BS. But now there is more smoke about it and when there is enough smoke, there probably is a fire. This article on Red's Army references a comment by Michael Felger on Sports Tonight mentioning an old report about staples in KG's knee. The Celtics Hub article gives these quotes from the Boston media about KG's injury and surgery.

From the Patriot Ledger on May 26: The All-Star forward had an arthroscopy procedure performed on his right knee and had bone spurs removed from the back of the knee at New England Baptist Hospital.

Later in the same article, the author describes the injury/ies this way: The tendon continued to swell whenever Garnett attempted to run, and Rivers declared him out of the entire playoffs just two days before the Celtics opened against the Chicago Bulls.

From Scott Souza at MetroWest Daily News last week:

The Celtics coach said yesterday Garnett was on schedule to hit the practice floor running when camp opens a week from Tuesday after undergoing offseason right knee surgery to remove a bone spur and calm a swollen tendon.

Celtics Hub digs a bit further in this article.
Then, the article goes on to give some quotes from Will Carroll, a well respected reporter on sports injuries. First, from Will's Tweets:

Kevin Garnett’s knee surgery may be getting the typical Boston treatment, but this was complex surgery. No 1, including Celts, know respond

More on Garnett — tough tendon, no comps, and for cripe’s sake STAPLES. Doesn’t that tell you, combined with last yr, that this is serious?

@celticsblog The popliteal tendon was the big issue. The spurs were causing tendon damage. Saying it wasn’t tendon is chicken/egg spin.

Then in response from Zach's queries:

I can’t talk about sourcing, but heard that this was more than just a simple chip/spur removal and that there was some repair work done to the tendon itself. That’s not uncommon or even a bad thing, it’s just that it’s much more serious than they’re letting on. I think the Celtics suddenly feel like they need to be the Pats in regards to information.

Given the information I have, I don’t think Garnett’s “done” or even going to be out significantly longer, but I do worry that he’s going to have maintenance issues.

So, there may be some validity that KG did have staples put into his tendon to repair it. And that could be why he still has not been cleared for contact and once again, the Celtics organization has probably put out spin and partial truths and outright falsehoods about the injury. But with all that said, reports from players (particularly Ray Allen) have been that KG looks good and that he is raring to go for this season. So, regardless of what the injury was and how it was repaired, I am looking forward to a healthy KG this season and Banner 18 in June.

Sports Illustrated has an interview with Rondo. He opens up on various subjects and has some interesting things to say about this team and his future. First off, Rondo is in great shape going into this season:

I've gained about eight pounds; I'm up to like 187 now. I came into the league at 160. But with the type of game I play, taking the contact and the hits, hitting the floor, it's still a game of muscle. And my body fat has improved a little bit. I'm down to like 5.1 [percent] now.

And about working with Rasheed Wallace added into the mix with Pierce, KG and Ray Allen and how that will have to be handled:

I have to stay aggressive, not necessarily offensively, but throughout the entire game on both ends of the court. Just knowing when to get guys the ball, who has it going. Just like the last two years, if Paul has it going then Ray and Kevin have to sit back and let Paul go to work. Those guys are easy to work with. I'm sure Rasheed will fall in line. I don't know him much but I'm sure he won't be a problem trying to get shots. He's a very unselfish guy, and he wants to win a title.

He also says that he wants to stay in Boston if they want him. If they don't, he said he wants to go where he is wanted. So, Danny needs to get that extension done. This kid is still young and growing and is willing to learn and work on his game. Don't make the mistake they made with Chauncey Billups and trade a potential all star for temporary fix. We have a potential top PG in the league and need to keep him.

Ron Artest has said that if the Lakers don't repeat it will be his fault. Nice of him to admit it up front because it probably will be his fault. That is, along with Odom's whirlwind wedding to his future ex-wife which seems destined for a divorce around playoff time, Farmer's disgruntled attitude about being a back up, and Gasol's busy summer playing for Spain. All that will take a toll along with Artest's volatile personality. Not to mention that contenders rarely stay injury free two seasons in a row. They had their injury free season last year and shouldn't expect the same this season. Oh, and now they have the bullseye on their backs where every team is gunning for them. So, the Lakers won't repeat, but it won't be all Artest's fault.

The WNBA Finals start tonight. Be sure to watch the LA Sparks take on the Phoenix Mercury tonight at 10:00 ET on ESPN 2. Cheer on Candace Parker, who is now a part of the Celtics family. I can't think of a better motivation for Shelden Williams than having his wife win a championship this year. Also, Lisa Leslie is retiring this year after her incredible career. She deserves to go out a winner. It is hard to cheer for a team wearing purple and gold, but the Sparks aren't the Fakers and there are some good reasons to cheer for them.

6 days till training camp which opens on 9/29 according to the schedule on NBA.com. I just can't wait! This is going to be a very long week!

[Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!]

Comments:

Thanks for organizing the staple information.

As someone who had a very successful knee reconstruction (after a torn ACL), I wonder how different the "staple" is to the "attachment" of the tendon to the bone that occurred for me. I believe I was told the tendon would grow into the bone, basically putting me in the same position as before (the only difference being a sliver of my patella tendon now is where my ACL used to be).

My question is, over time, does the stapled part of the tendon grow into KG's bone?

Either way - you just know that if KG can walk come playoff time, he will not miss another post season.

I think there will be a sense of urgency this year with this group to cement their legacies.

# posted by

CW : 11:27 AM

Interesting, CW. I am not sure about what the staples do that any other method wouldn't but it seems to me as though staples would be pretty strong. I know they put staples in Perk's shoulder to try to prevent it from popping back out. So far in 2 seasons, he has tweaked it but it hasn't popped back out.

I also agree that if any way possible, KG will not miss another playoff game.

And I also agree that these 3 see a second championship together as cementing their legacies. One ring is nice but 2 would put them in an elite class. Pierce especially wants more than one to cement his legacy as an all time great Celtic.

# posted by

FLCeltsFan : 1:18 PM

I think it might help if Danny showed a little more love for Rondo publicly. Sometimes the vibe I get is that Rondo isn't all that wanted by the C's and that's foolish imo.

# posted by

JR : 3:59 PM

I agree, JR. Danny has been critical of Rondo in public but has also said that they want Rondo. He is sending mixed messages. He does need to show more support for him. PG's of his caliber are not all that easy to find and if they let him go, they will be sorry.

# posted by

FLCeltsFan : 6:33 PM