AP PHOTO - Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett yells out support for his teammates while icing down his knee during the first half of March 25's game against the Orlando Magic in Orlando, Fla.

Pennant fever it ain’t, but some kind of illness is gripping the Hub. It’s holding on for dear life with fans, commentators, radio’s talking heads and even newspaper scribes.

Can you believe it? Without Kevin Garnett the pundits all declare that the Boston Celtics will not win another NBA title. Seriously? No, seriously? Please guys and gals, tell us something we don’t know.

From Glenn Ordway and Gerry Callahan on WEEI 850-AM declaring no chance for the Green, to The Patriot Ledger’s Mike Fine and the Celtics players looking for a silver lining, there is no joy in Mudville.

That small glimmer of hope may have been caught on Comcast Sports Net where Danny Ainge said Garnett would play if the playoffs started today.

Of course that doesn’t stop New England fandom from losing it. The Eagle-Tribune’s Alan Siegel is right on the money. Now I already knew Siegel is a good guy, but he just proved himself intelligent as well. As I’ve been saying for many years now, Boston is just the favorite stomping ground of the hysterical and incorrigible fan.

So in case you didn’t know it, Kevin Garnett is hurting. He may be forced to have knee surgery. If he isn’t on the court come playoff time? Well, I hate to steal a line from the self-indulgent buffoon down in Bristol, Conn., will tell you: “That’s why they play the games.”

Tags: Alan Siegel, Danny Ainge, Gerry Callahan, Glenn Ordway, Kevin Garnett, Mike Fine, The Eagle-Tribune, The Patriot Ledger, WEEI