If Celts stand pat, delay bringing back Irving and Hayward. Best chance?

[Tr1boy]

This Irving/Haywardless unit has shown (playoff run) that they should be able to do very well in the regular season.  Top 4 in the EC

Rest Irving/Hayward for as long as they need to (up to mid season if need be).  Then bring them back for the home stretch/Playoffs

This would result in a much higher chance they will be fully healthy for a deep playoff run.  If Kyrie has 50-60 top calibre games for next season, wouldn't it be better to save it for the later half/playoffs ?

thoughts

[CelticsElite]

Hayward needs reps badly. I expect him to be rusty so he needs as many reps as possible to shake off the rust. He’s only been playing 1v1 recently

I don’t see the rest happening unless they are setbacks in recovery

[Tr1boy]

Hayward needs reps badly. I expect him to be rusty so he needs as many reps as possible to shake off the rust. He’s only been playing 1v1 recently

I don’t see the rest happening unless they are setbacks in recovery

I get what you mean

But what if there is a mileage limit. 

IF Irving had rested much earlier than he did. And didn't play so many mins early in the season

there was probably a chance he would have been able to play in the playoffs (so not play 10-15  regular season games and instead play these games in the playoffs)

[droopdog7]

No.  I believe if the celts meet the warriors in the finals, the team with home court will win it.  Go all out to win as many games as possible.

[gouki88]

No.  I believe if the celts meet the warriors in the finals, the team with home court will win it.  Go all out to win as many games as possible.

Yeah, this is a big factor. We've seen how much certain players of ours thrive at home

[Tr1boy]

No.  I believe if the celts meet the warriors in the finals, the team with home court will win it.  Go all out to win as many games as possible.

Yeah, this is a big factor. We've seen how much certain players of ours thrive at home

Like game 7  of ECF ?

[gouki88]

No.  I believe if the celts meet the warriors in the finals, the team with home court will win it.  Go all out to win as many games as possible.

Yeah, this is a big factor. We've seen how much certain players of ours thrive at home

Like game 7  of ECF ?

Please don't remind me of that mind-boggling brickfest

[trickybilly]

Couldn't agree more.

Would much prefer that Gordie play once a week, and Kyrie maybe twice for the first quarter of season. Then slowly build.

[RockinRyA]

No. play them right away. Just limit their minutes. We need to build chemistry and also for them to shake off their rust.

[Tr1boy]

Couldn't agree more.

Would much prefer that Gordie play once a week, and Kyrie maybe twice for the first quarter of season. Then slowly build.

Yes. Also never play them b2b games

The luxury of last seasons mishap =  the team won't go into panic mode if one or both are not playing.

So never play them b2b, bring Hayward off the bench at the start,  don't play Irving alot of mins and stick with scheduled breaks for starters

[moiso]

These guys aren't late season buyout pickups.  You just can't rest them so long when they are healthy.  The idea is ridiculous to me.  Do you think they will be happy not playing?  Of course not, plus Kyrie is in a contract season.  I'm ok with slightly lower minutes and an occasional day off if some injury is starting to nag one of them, but would be an insult to everyone to baby them too much.

[Roy H.]

I think building chemistry, Hayward learning to trust his ankle, and knocking off rust are more important than rest.

Limiting minutes is fine, but I wouldn’t support sitting out more games than needed.

[footey]

Their doctors and trainers will prescribe their minute restrictions.

But generally agree that subject to that, get them back in to get confidence back in the injured leg, and develop team chemistry. We haven't seen how the full team will gel; we saw positive glimpses in preseason, that's it. This will be a different team when those two return. Especially from the one that finished the season post-Irving.

I also agree that going for home court advantage is a worthwhile goal.  It could make the difference. Without it, we probably don't escape first round of playoffs.

[Moranis]

I have no problem waiting until they are healthy, but if they are healthy you play them as soon as they are to get all the rust and kinks out.