Big Game tomorrow / Bill Simmons' Tweets

[Celtics4ever]

We don't have any all star players. We have one potential All Star (well two if you count Isaiah Thomas with Smart) and Smart has a long way to go.

I'm just not sure what assets we have that are gaining value? Maybe Zeller ? Turner is still worthless. James Young is an absolute dud so far.
Avery Bradley might get us a pick between 12-18 if we traded him.

Other than Sullinger? Would anyone give us a top 20 pick for Olynyk? Meh.

I think it's nice to watch this team make a push for the 8th seed but seeing guys like Bass, Crowder leave next year leaves us with the same squad of role players that live and die by the three point shot.

If they make the 8th seed then good for them, but I'm not sure exactly where it leaves us.
The East is just so weak, and in a normal NBA year this team wouldn't even sniff the playoffs.

If we make the playoffs and Marcus Smart can start attacking the basket, and Zeller can become a legit starting NBA center then I'll be happy.

Bitter sweet is this game.

   Well Said, TP

The only thing I do not concur with is that I do not think Sully would get us a top 20 draft pick.

[D.o.s.]

I still hate the idea of making the playoffs with a below .500 record.  I don't think that serves much of a point.

Playoff basketball is a different animal. Even if it comes with an early first round exit, the experience for our young team going into the future will be invaluable.  That's the point.

 Because I'm sure there will be many players on the roster right now that'll be there when we make a run for Banner 18.

[Celtics18]

I still hate the idea of making the playoffs with a below .500 record.  I don't think that serves much of a point.

Playoff basketball is a different animal. Even if it comes with an early first round exit, the experience for our young team going into the future will be invaluable.  That's the point.

 Because I'm sure there will be many players on the roster right now that'll be there when we make a run for Banner 18.

If by many you mean 5 or 6 guys, then I think there's a good chance that there will indeed be many current Celtics who will be around for our next contender. 

And, yes, I believe making the playoffs this season will ultimately end up being a valuable experience in the development of these players. 

[j804]

I still hate the idea of making the playoffs with a below .500 record.  I don't think that serves much of a point.

Playoff basketball is a different animal. Even if it comes with an early first round exit, the experience for our young team going into the future will be invaluable.  That's the point.

 Because I'm sure there will be many players on the roster right now that'll be there when we make a run for Banner 18.

If by many you mean 5 or 6 guys, then I think there's a good chance that there will indeed be many current Celtics who will be around for our next contender. 

And, yes, I believe making the playoffs this season will ultimately end up being a valuable experience in the development of these players.

it also makes Boston attractive in free agency, it'll show brad is a hell of a coach

[MBunge]

If Boston can make the playoffs by winning about 38 games, there's nothing about which to complain.    They'll have played better than .500 ball for a good chunk of the season, even with all the roster turnover and injuries.  And I'm less concerned with the players getting playoff experience than in Stevens gaining some credibility with his own players and others around the league.

Mike

[D.o.s.]

I don't think a 38 win season and a first round upset is particularly awesome, aside from watching the C's at least four more games this season.

[indeedproceed]

Surprised Ol' Bill's twitter is silent tonight about the win.

[TheFlex]

Surprised Ol' Bill's twitter is silent tonight about the win.

My guess is being a millionaire on a Saturday night in LA has something to do with it.

[Quetzalcoatl]

He posted the standings on Instagram

[MBunge]

I don't think a 38 win season and a first round upset is particularly awesome, aside from watching the C's at least four more games this season.

Winning 13 more games than the season before isn't historic.  Doing it when you trade away the two best players on the squad for less talented players is pretty impressive.  And a 38 win team in the East is a lot more attractive to FAs than a 29 win team.

Mike

[Snakehead]

I don't think a 38 win season and a first round upset is particularly awesome, aside from watching the C's at least four more games this season.

I would be pretty impressed with that and find it awesome.  Would show me how good Stevens actually is and probably something about our players we already have if we could do that.

I don't need total success.  My favorite basketball team ever is probably the 12 Celtics because we came closer to beating the Heat than anyone and shouldn't have had business doing that.

And personally I have let go of any tanking or pick goals.  It's a stupid way to watch sports and I want to win games.  Not that I don't get thinking the other way, but I'm tired of thinking about it.

[jambr380]

I don't think a 38 win season and a first round upset is particularly awesome, aside from watching the C's at least four more games this season.

Winning 13 more games than the season before isn't historic.  Doing it when you trade away the two best players on the squad for less talented players is pretty impressive.  And a 38 win team in the East is a lot more attractive to FAs than a 29 win team.

Mike

I agree with this. If you break up the season into two parts, it is even more impressive. If we win 38 games and make the playoffs, we will be on an upswing (with an obvious above .500 record in the 2nd half) and free agents will likely notice the job Stevens is doing as well as the potential this team has.

With our lack of marquee talent, a star free agent still has the opportunity to come to Boston to make it 'his' team, but will now have the advantage of not thinking it has to be all on his shoulders. Throw in a couple of wins in a first round playoff match-up (I really don't want it to be versus Cleveland) and we make even more noise.

[jambr380]

I don't think a 38 win season and a first round upset is particularly awesome, aside from watching the C's at least four more games this season.

I would be pretty impressed with that and find it awesome.  Would show me how good Stevens actually is and probably something about our players we already have if we could do that.

I don't need total success.  My favorite basketball team ever is probably the 12 Celtics because we came closer to beating the Heat than anyone and shouldn't have had business doing that.

And personally I have let go of any tanking or pick goals.  It's a stupid way to watch sports and I want to win games.  Not that I don't get thinking the other way, but I'm tired of thinking about it.

Yeah, it's neat after a year and a half (and IP had a very good metaphor describing it) legitimately hoping for wins. It was until last week that I was genuinely satisfied with guys making shots not named Smart, KO, or Bradley. Losing 3-4 slots in the lottery is a bummer, but as long as we don't back our way into the playoffs, I think it will be solid experience for everybody involved.

[GratefulCs]

Golly


Boston sports fans can put a negative spin on anything


Enjoy the ride!