NBA Notebook: Paul Pierce, Chris Paul injuries effect Celtics, Hornets in unique ways
New Orleans point guard Chris Paul (left) and Boston Celtics veteran forward Paul Pierce (right) were both recently injured. However, their injuries effect their respective teams in different ways. (Kent Smith/Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
By Matt Serocki
Over the last few days, two NBA superstars have suffered injuries that are important in determining how their teams will forge ahead.
The Celtics’ Paul Pierce injured his left foot in the first half of a 99-88 win against the Washington Wizards Monday Night.
Pierce injured the leg while going for a loose ball and he did not return.
The fear is that Pierce may have broken the foot. If he has, it means more playing time for Tony Allen.
It also means that any chance the Celtics have of going deeper into the playoffs this season is significantly diminished without Pierce (averaging 18.9 points this season).
While the Celtics have been able to soldier on without Kevin Garnett, Tony Allen, Rajon Rondo and Glen Davis for varying lengths of time, Pierce’s injury may just be the most serious over both the long and short term.
Boston got a much-needed win Monday night and needs to gain momentum to right a 4-6 record over its last 10 games.
The Celtics (30-16) do, however, have a resiliency when it comes to dealing with injuries to big-name players.
When Garnett went down, Rasheed Wallace, Brian Scalabrine and Davis filled in well. While each brings something different to the table and is not the same talent as Garnett, the stress of losing Garnett was eased with the contributions Wallace, Scal and Davis have made.
Rondo’s brief time off was overcome with good play from Eddie House and Tony Allen. Even though Pierce is the heart, truth and soul of the Celtics, Boston has players that are capable of stepping up in his place.
The New Orleans Hornets, on the other hand, are not nearly in as good a position as the Celtics are.
They currently sit in tenth place at 26-22 in the ultra-competitive Western Conference behind the likes of the Grizzlies and the Thunder. The Rockets are also a half game behind at 25-22.
While Boston has been able to overcome said injuries, the injury to Chris Paul almost certainly ends the Hornets’ chance at making a significant impact in the playoffs.
Guard Darren Collison may have shown promise in his first game taking over for Paul, but he is a rookie and the onus of picking up the slack that Paul’s injury created will be very heavy.
I’m not knocking the kid or the Hornets; it’s just that the Celtics have won regularly over the last few years while also dealing with injuries to major players. They also play in the weak Eastern Conference where teams under .500 consistently make the playoffs.
The Hornets play in a much stronger Conference with several teams ahead of them in the standings. If Paul can come back and New Orleans is still in contention, than his return may just be the spark the Hornets will need.
Until then, however, Collison’s ability to mesh with the likes of Peja Stojakavic, David West, Emeka Okafor and James Posey will be tested in every game.
Matt Serocki is a Blogger for Boston Sports U18. He is also a Sports Corespondent for The MetroWest Daily News. He can be reached at mattser82@yahoo.com.
