Fiddlin’ and Diddlin’ on Wednesday

Since we don’t play until Friday, let’s hope Perk is resting his foot, West’s back is healing, and the Celtics are working on defense. We could use a healthy Wally back as well. In the meantime, much of the news is about how the injuries are giving the young Celtics a chance to get playing time and improve in leaps and bounds.

The Herald Notebook starts with the injuries and how they have changed our season from going for the playoffs to developing the kids. Also, Powe feels he can help Tony recover from the ACL tear since he is still dealing with having to work on his surgically repaired knee. They also address the fact that at one point Ray was heading to the DLeague and now is a key player off the bench.

The Globe notebook reports that in spite of all the injuries and the losses, Doc sees small victories. As fans, we also have to see the big picture. The experience that the young Celtics are getting today will make us a much better team in the future. We wouldn’t win the championship this season anyway so why not develop the young players we have now and get a high pick in a very strong draft to boot?

The Cheap Seats discusses that as the players are progressing, the team is regressing. We may not be winning but I think the team is still progressing as the players progress. Because when we get the injured players back, these young players are going to be that much stronger and it will make us a much better team for the future, which is really what this is all about. We aren’t going to win now, so build for the future.

The Patriot Ledger has a piece that discusses that Danny’s picks may be young but they aren’t dumb. Two things stand out in this article. One is that Danny really has stayed away from European players while other teams have gotten much stronger by drafting Euros. Second is that while Danny was trying to get a superstar from the middle of the first round by taking players with potential straight out of high school, players with college experience contribute more quicker. We have to be patient with these younger players as it takes them longer to develop.

Protrade continues the theme of development in Pierce’s absence. This article conjectures that on Pierce’s return, the experience gained by the young players in his absence will make us strong enough to make the playoffs. I am not sure I want to make the playoffs this season. Getting a high draft pick would certainly help us for the future more than an early exit from the playoffs would.

MySA.com has an article on the USA team. It is certain that they will be tweaking the team before the Olympics. Expect Redick and Morrison to be gone and Kidd and Boozer to be added and maybe more. It will be interesting to see if Pierce makes the Olympic team or if he even still wants to after his injury this season. With all the injuries this season to star players I wonder if some of them will choose to spend the summer working out and getting rest rather than playing on the National team.

Associated Content also has an article that conjectures that when Pierce returns to the team it will be to a different team than he left and that the Celtics will excel because of the growth of the young players in his absence.

Celtics Stuff Live has an interesting piece from a Spanish contributor. He feels that Ainge never intended to build through the draft but that he planned to stockpile talented young players with trade value to bring in a star. He may have something there.

Loy’s Place has a rant that asks why Powe isn’t getting more playing time. I love this kid and he does good things when he is on the floor and yet Doc continues to limit his minutes. I don’t get it. Also, Perk has admitted that he is still playing in a lot of pain. It is time to sit him and let the foot heal before he does more damage. Let Perk heal and give Powe more playing time. Also discussed is Doc’s offense and some good advice from Cousy that proves that another coach may just be what this team needs.

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