The mysterious Kevin Garnett injury saga has finally come to an end, as Celtics' coach Doc Rivers spoke with the media Thursday morning and essentially ended the team's hopes of defending their title.

"It's not official that he's out for the entire playoffs, but it's official as far as I'm concerned," Rivers said before practice at the team's workout facility. "I just don't see how. I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't see it."

Not only can you stick a fork in Boston without the most important member of their big three, you can pretty much stick a fork in the entire NBA playoffs. Wake me up when Kobe vs. LeBron starts, because not only are the Lakers and Cavs clearly the two best remaining teams, even if someone else gets hot there's no way in hell the NBA would allow an upset. They'd put either team on the foul line seventy times a game if need be.

If you thought I was cynical about the NBA before (which I was), you'd better believe I'm twice as cynical now that over half the teams in the league are in financial trouble and are sweating how many season ticket holders will renew for next season.