More Awesome Celtics News; Bradley Done For Playoffs

The Celtics are not expecting to have Avery Bradley for the rest of the playoffs because of a left shoulder injury, a source close to the shooting guard said Wednesday. Asked for a percentage about Bradley having played his final game this season, the source said in the “high 90s.’’

The source said it’s “highly likely’’ Bradley’s left shoulder would pop out again - it has popped out twice in the series against the 76ers - and playing would put him at risk of “serious structural damage.’’ GLOBE

Well this sucks, especially because if we move forward he is a valuable asset. In the beginning of the season this wouldn't be a big deal, but he has cemented himself as the 4th most important player on this team behind Rondo, KG, and Pierce. Bradley puts 100% effort every game, has been great as a starter, is the only on who runs when Rondo runs, plays lock down defense, runs the baseline and can knock down a jumper if need be.

The thing that worries me is that the team is going to need to replace him somehow. Keyon Doolin is a decent defender an does an admirable job at being aggressive but isn't much of an offensive player or should I say steaky at best, and the same goes for Pietrus. Oh yea, and Ray Allen looks like he's 90 out there. This team got a lot slower with Bradley being hurt, so this leads me to the question; WHY THE FUCK ISN'T TONY ALLEN IN GREEN!

Letting Tony Allen go is by far the worst move Danny Ainge has made. Was worse than the Perkins deal, Jermaine O'Neal or signing Scal for a 5 year 15 million dollar contract.

Crawford Out 3 Months

The Boston Red Sox announced Thursday night that Carl Crawford has a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his left (throwing) elbow, the injury that often results in Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery.

But rather than opt for surgery, the team said the outfielder will follow a protocol of more conservative treatment. ESPN

This scares the shit out of me, because I had a similar injury to this and it always acts up, and I wish when I had better insurance I actually went ahead and got the surgery. I'm afraid that Crawford is going to go through the same thing and then be out longer, later by not getting it done. I wish that he just got it done and then this would be over with. I don't want him to be in the OF and throw a ball home and have his elbow blow out. Crawford has been an absolute disaster in Boston so far, but I do feel bad for him. It seems like it's just horrible injury built up on horrible injury.

I hope he comes back and is fine, but I kind of wish he just got the TJ.

Michael Pineda Out For The Year

Remember the blockbuster trade this summer where the Yankees traded hitter Jesus Montero for Seattle Ace Michael Pineda and all of us Red Sox fans were pissed because Pineda was going to be a surefire Ace? Things just got a lot more tricky as Michael Pineda will undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair a labrum tear in his right shoulder and will be out for the rest of the season.

This is a big deal for the Yankees as shoulder issues are a big risk on pitchers. Curt Schilling, Tommy Hanson and Jake Peavy have all survived the scare. The surgeon described himself as "cautiously optimistic" that Pineda will regain his ability after surgery, because Pineda's rotator cuff is undamaged, but he acknowledged that "shoulder surgery is challenging." The fact that the surgery will be performed arthroscopically rather than with an open incision also works in Pineda's favor.

I have a feeling Pineda will be back and be fine next year due to that, but this is certainly not what the Yankees thought they were trading for. Luckily for them Andy Pettite will be there to eventually unseat Freddy Garcia.

Al Horford Out For Playoffs

This is a huge break for the Celtics because now instead of dealing with Horford in the middle, we have to deal with Zaza Pachulia which is a step down. Even though Horford (today) said he now may play I'm not buying it for a minute, he's not going to be in game shape, he's not going to risk re injuring the peck injury.

This is also great because it shortens the Hawks bench rotation to and limits who they can go to for bigs. A guy they have been using a lot is rookie Ivan Johnson at C for a big, he is their equivalent to their Brandon Bass, he's 6'8 and a strong rebounder. So having a rotation of Zaza, Josh Smith, and Ivan Johnson is a lot easier than Al Horford, Josh Smith, and Zaza Pachulia from the bench.

The Hawks will be a tough team, but I just don't trust anyone on that team other than Joe Johnson. I hate Jeff Teague, Josh Smith could be good, or awful, and have no faith in Marvin Williams to be any kind of a factor.