However, that isn't to say that our current path of improving isn't going to work, it just simply isn't as easily apparent.
This is the essence of it, in my opinion.
I can understand the frustration that some fans have with second-guessing and naysaying of the current squad, the incessant need to look down the road and ask when the team will be more, more, more. Can't we just appreciate the surprisingly fun and scrappy team we have in front of us?
On the other hand, this team will seem a lot less cute if they stay in the 35-45 win range for the next few years while they try to figure out a way to take the next step.
Ainge's strategy appears to be to constantly look for ways to add to the Celtics' treasure trove by incrementally upgrading assets and finding good deals, in the hopes that he will be ready to pounce when an opportunity to nab a star presents itself.
Question is, when will that opportunity come? This summer? Five summers from now? And will some crappy team that stinks its way into a top pick step in and usurp that opportunity, as the Cavaliers did last summer with Kevin Love?
But, as Evantime points out, the difference between picking around 16 and picking around 10 or 11 often isn't that large (or non-existent). We have a pretty good GM, and there's a solid chance he'll find us a player that multiple lottery teams fail to draft, to their detriment.
I don't think the team will ultimately be hurt all that much as a result of dropping 5 or 6 spots in this draft by making the playoffs.