2011-2012 Celtics = 2008-2009 Detroit Pistons

[PosImpos]

The similarities are many, and the likely end result of the season is the same.  All we need to do is trade away one of our older players mid-season for a has-been ticket-seller who doesn't fit with the rest of the guys on the team and the similarity will be uncanny.

I'm just hoping and praying that the decision making this off-season isn't similar to what the Pistons did in the summer of '09.

[RockinRyA]

this is what ive been thinking lately. a team who won their first championship by playing defense and teamwork and guys who are in their 30s. our decline was almost similar to theirs.

[green7]

whatever it takes to get a great star center danny has to blow it up

[PosImpos]

this is what ive been thinking lately. a team who won their first championship by playing defense and teamwork and guys who are in their 30s. our decline was almost similar to theirs.

the parallels are eerie, really.

[PosImpos]

Won a championship 4-5 years ago? Check.

Made the Finals since then but lost in Game 7? Check.

Competitive in the East for the past four years, but not so much anymore? Check.

Season likely to end in an embarrassing defeat as a bottom seed to a top seed just a season after being a top seed? Check.

Desperate mid-season trade of a key player that will only end in fan resentment and a breakdown in chemistry? Well, that happened last season, but stay tuned, it'll probably happen this season, too.

Core veterans' contracts expiring at the end of the season? Check.

Lots of cap space this summer that in the worst case scenario will be used to overpay players in an attempt to stay relevant? Check.

[tyrone biggums]

Won a championship 4-5 years ago? Check.

Made the Finals since then but lost in Game 7? Check.

Competitive in the East for the past four years, but not so much anymore? Check.

Season likely to end in an embarrassing defeat as a bottom seed to a top seed just a season after being a top seed? Check.

Desperate mid-season trade of a key player that will only end in fan resentment and a breakdown in chemistry? Well, that happened last season, but stay tuned, it'll probably happen this season, too.

Core veterans' contracts expiring at the end of the season? Check.

Lots of cap space this summer that in the worst case scenario will be used to overpay players in an attempt to stay relevant? Check.

One thing that is different, Rondo hasn't reached his ceiling yet. Billups already had by that time not to mention that Rondo is also a much better defender and rebounder than Billups was.

[TheTruthFot18]

I've been waiting (not looking forward to) the year we become like that team.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRsC9KxlYcY&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PLC9471DCC1AE9947E

Except that will be KG

[Who]

That 2009 Detroit team would have still been a 50+ win team if they hadn't of traded Chauncey Billups.

[Mike-Dub]

Won a championship 4-5 years ago? Check.

Made the Finals since then but lost in Game 7? Check.

Competitive in the East for the past four years, but not so much anymore? Check.

Season likely to end in an embarrassing defeat as a bottom seed to a top seed just a season after being a top seed? Check.

Desperate mid-season trade of a key player that will only end in fan resentment and a breakdown in chemistry? Well, that happened last season, but stay tuned, it'll probably happen this season, too.

Core veterans' contracts expiring at the end of the season? Check.

Lots of cap space this summer that in the worst case scenario will be used to overpay players in an attempt to stay relevant? Check.

Don't know where you got the last one.  I for one think Danny is a much better GM than Joe Dumars and will do an excellent job with our cap space.

[cman88]

Won a championship 4-5 years ago? Check.

Made the Finals since then but lost in Game 7? Check.

Competitive in the East for the past four years, but not so much anymore? Check.

Season likely to end in an embarrassing defeat as a bottom seed to a top seed just a season after being a top seed? Check.

Desperate mid-season trade of a key player that will only end in fan resentment and a breakdown in chemistry? Well, that happened last season, but stay tuned, it'll probably happen this season, too.

Core veterans' contracts expiring at the end of the season? Check.

Lots of cap space this summer that in the worst case scenario will be used to overpay players in an attempt to stay relevant? Check.

Don't know where you got the last one.  I for one think Danny is a much better GM than Joe Dumars and will do an excellent job with our cap space.

exactly, Danny has never really made bad moves with our cap-space that would jeopardize our future these past few years...and I dont think he would in the future

 plus, I dont think the Pistons really had a bridge to the future. they werea team comprised totally of aging players...the celtics have a budding young allstar PG in Rondo who is improving right before our eyes to build around..most teams start with nothing in a rebuild..and we know guys like josh smith, Jeff Green, oj mayo who would love to play here...and hope that a change of scenery/Doc will allow them to grow and buy into the defensive system

and you can hopefully pick up some quality pieces in the draft.

if theres anyone I would trust to lead us into the next celtics era it would be Danny ainge

[PosImpos]

Won a championship 4-5 years ago? Check.

Made the Finals since then but lost in Game 7? Check.

Competitive in the East for the past four years, but not so much anymore? Check.

Season likely to end in an embarrassing defeat as a bottom seed to a top seed just a season after being a top seed? Check.

Desperate mid-season trade of a key player that will only end in fan resentment and a breakdown in chemistry? Well, that happened last season, but stay tuned, it'll probably happen this season, too.

Core veterans' contracts expiring at the end of the season? Check.

Lots of cap space this summer that in the worst case scenario will be used to overpay players in an attempt to stay relevant? Check.

Don't know where you got the last one.  I for one think Danny is a much better GM than Joe Dumars and will do an excellent job with our cap space.

I agree; that's why I said it's the worst case scenario.  I didn't say it's likely to happen.

Luckily, I would agree that our future is better than that team, barring some idiotic moves from Danny, but our team this year is very much like that team.

[dwlefty13]

If I remember correctly, the Pistons started the season 6-0 before trading Billups to Denver for AI. Had the trade not have happened, I doubt there is even a comparison as Detroit was still a top 4 team in the Eastern Conference who matched up perfectly with Orlando (same team that made the finals) and would have still gave Cleveland and Boston a run for their money in a 7game series.