Poll: Does the front office think the team will make the playoffs?

[LooseCannon]

The question isn't what you think, the question is how do you think the Celtics brain trust evaluates the team's playoff potential.  What do you think they are thinking?

[GetLucky]

I think the front office thinks the playoffs are 50-50, contingent on Rondo. Rich Gotham said that they're excited to see "2011-2012" Rajon Rondo, and I genuinely think he was telling the truth. They've made moves to get better while also maintiaining flexibility.

To expand upon my first statement, I think the front office wants and believes we can make the playoffs in the weak East. Even without Rondo last year, we were closer to the playoffs than the worst record. However, I think they are waiting to see if Rondo steps it up to decide what direction we're going. If he steps it up and leads the team to the playoffs, I think we'll go all in trying to improve our spot each year. I think if Rondo doesn't look healthy or doesn't step up his game, we will go with the youth movement, which we've already done with some moves (ie Turner, Young, Smart, AB, Oly, Sully, etc.). Basically all of our team's contributors, other than Rondo and Green (our two biggest contributors) are young, and we could go either way at this point. I think the front office has put themselves in a good "wait and see" spot, where we could easily contend or go young. I don't say rebuild" because I think the Celtics have already set up a decent young foundation.

[Endless Paradise]

Long shot.  They're not quite the Sixers, but they're also not quite the Knicks.

[Who]

Decent shot. Less than 50% but not long shot.

[mgent]

Definitely over 50-50, probably closer to 75-25 so long as we're healthy.  A major injury would probably take us out of the running completely.

[mgent]

If we do the math, Indiana, Miami, Cleveland, Washington, and Chicago all have a 90% chance or better of making the playoffs.  Milwaukee, Philly, Orlando, and Detroit all have basically no chance (and will probably all tank anyway). 

That leaves Boston, Atlanta, Toronto, Brooklyn, New York and Charlotte fighting for 3 spots.  Worst case that gives us around 50-50.  However, injuries usually take out at least 1 team, and if we assume we're a little better than Brooklyn, NY, and Charlotte our chances look really good.  The possibility of us packaging some picks and players for an upgrade(s) has got to count for something as well.

[csfansince60s]

I think a lot depends on if the front office thinks that Rondo stays for the year.

IF they think Rondo stays for the year, given the weakness of the East and the likely jumps from some of its players' performances, I think that they think there's a better at least a 50-50 chance.

If they think that Rondo is gone at some point, I think that they think no.

[Nerf DPOY]

If we do the math, Indiana, Miami, Cleveland, Washington, and Chicago all have a 90% chance or better of making the playoffs.

I would agree with you on Indiana if this summer didn't happen.

[mgent]

If we do the math, Indiana, Miami, Cleveland, Washington, and Chicago all have a 90% chance or better of making the playoffs.

I would agree with you on Indiana if this summer didn't happen.

Thank you, that helps my arugment even more!

[LooseCannon]

I think a lot depends on if the front office thinks that Rondo stays for the year.

IF they think Rondo stays for the year, given the weakness of the East and the likely jumps from some of its players' performances, I think that they think there's a better at least a 50-50 chance.

If they think that Rondo is gone at some point, I think that they think no.

Shouldn't it be the other way around?  Rondo doesn't have a choice in whether he stays or goes.  Shouldn't the probability that they hang on to Rondo for the rest of the year depend on how they think the team will do with Rondo?

[nickagneta]

If we do the math, Indiana, Miami, Cleveland, Washington, and Chicago all have a 90% chance or better of making the playoffs.  Milwaukee, Philly, Orlando, and Detroit all have basically no chance (and will probably all tank anyway). 

That leaves Boston, Atlanta, Toronto, Brooklyn, New York and Charlotte fighting for 3 spots.  Worst case that gives us around 50-50.  However, injuries usually take out at least 1 team, and if we assume we're a little better than Brooklyn, NY, and Charlotte our chances look really good.  The possibility of us packaging some picks and players for an upgrade(s) has got to count for something as well.

Do the math....

I want to see in what mathematical world you come up with the odds that you did.

[Vox_Populi]

If we do the math, Indiana, Miami, Cleveland, Washington, and Chicago all have a 90% chance or better of making the playoffs.  Milwaukee, Philly, Orlando, and Detroit all have basically no chance (and will probably all tank anyway). 

That leaves Boston, Atlanta, Toronto, Brooklyn, New York and Charlotte fighting for 3 spots.  Worst case that gives us around 50-50.  However, injuries usually take out at least 1 team, and if we assume we're a little better than Brooklyn, NY, and Charlotte our chances look really good.  The possibility of us packaging some picks and players for an upgrade(s) has got to count for something as well.

I find it hard to believe that Toronto and Charlotte have a worse chance the Pacers. I also do think Detroit might be better than they're given credit for.

[csfansince60s]

I think a lot depends on if the front office thinks that Rondo stays for the year.

IF they think Rondo stays for the year, given the weakness of the East and the likely jumps from some of its players' performances, I think that they think there's a better at least a 50-50 chance.

If they think that Rondo is gone at some point, I think that they think no.

Shouldn't it be the other way around?  Rondo doesn't have a choice in whether he stays or goes.  Shouldn't the probability that they hang on to Rondo for the rest of the year depend on how they think the team will do with Rondo?

TP, Loose, you're right...it should be the other way around, but there are so many things to factor in as to whether they keep him or not, that I think that that is just one consideration of many in their decision to keep him.

The others include but not limited to: his play and health/recovery, injuries to his teammates, key injuries to playoff contenders in the East, performance of his teammates evoking hope for the future, how the team is doing before the deadline in February, if any Godfather offers come their way from a desperate team at the deadline or before , if and at what point they feel that tanking is the way to go. All these factors create a very fluid situation throughout the year, many of them impacting each other and whether they decide to keep Rondo or not. Too many permutations for my head to consider.