... is what ownership / new ownership is going to be saying after this season if the team doesn't make it to at least the Conference Finals this season. Ownership can justify a record luxury tax if the team is winning titles. It can't if we're falling short, particularly if that's in the first or second round. So if the guys want to keep playing together, they need to lock in for the playoffs.
Until then, though, I think it's premature to talk about major trades that move core players off of the roster, or about firing coaches, or any of that. It would do more harm than good to trade a top-8 piece of the roster right now, and it's very hard to see any outside coach getting this team more focused and motivated.''
I think that in terms of the current malaise, we just need to give it time and hope for the best. I know, in most life situations "stick with the status quo and make no changes" isn't always good advice, but I think we have to trust the core group of players. They've been through the battle before, and they've won. Physically, they have the capability of doing it again.
But, it does scare we that this could be the last season we're watching this group of guys together.