Where’s the Enthusiasm?

The Celtics get the Bulls instead of the Sixers in the first round of the playoffs. Let's get right to the schedule:

• Game 1 Sat. at Bos. (ESPN) 12:30
• Game 2 Mon. at Bos. (TNT) 7
• Game 3 Thu. at Chi. (TNT) 8
• Game 4 April 26 at Chi. (Ch. 5) 1
• (if necessary)
• Game 5 April 28 at Boston
• Game 6 April 30 at Chicago
• Game 7 May 2 at Boston (TNT)

After reading the online papers, I feel like there's a lot of negative energy in Celtics Nation, at least from the local media's perspective. Dire predictions about KG's health. Hype for the Cavs and Lakers. And that's just from Shaughnessy. There's plenty more.

In the last few days, Doc Rivers has softened his stance on KG and the playoffs. There is a lot of uncertainty about Garnett's status:

"We don't know how it's going to turn out tomorrow," the coach said. "And if it does [go well], we don't know how it's going to feel the next day. So we'll wait and see."

I gotta believe the C's are playing possum here. Messing with their oppponents and tweaking the media.

I think Chicago will be a tougher out than Philly. They have better shooters (Gordon, Salmons) and a better inside presence (Noah, Thomas, Miller). After the trade for Miller and Salmons, Chicago went 17-11. The Celtics won the season series 2-1.

On ESPN's Bulls/Celtics playoff page, everyone picks the Celtics to win. Not surprisingly, two writers, Chad Ford and Chris Sheridan pick the series to go…7. Bahahahaha… I like the Celtics in 5, with or without KG.

Today's Links: Globe – Celtics Finish on High Note | Nothing a Given for Garnett | Shaughnessy – Celtics Won't Win It All | Herald – Celtics Roll | KG Still A Question for Opener |Garnett a Big 'What If' | KG in Men's Fitness |