Thank you Danny Ainge

[Big333223]

I read on twitter that the Celtics have the most playoff wins in the NBA over the last 18 seasons. I can't figure out how to confirm that but now I really want to know where they rank.

Because Ainge was a former player, his profile was inordinately high for a GM so he got talked about and scrutinized (and celebrated) more than someone else might've but all in all I'm really glad he was the GM of the Celtics.

[showtime]

 If Hayward didn't get hurt. if Kyrie had really wanted to be a Celtic. With Tatum and Brown turning into a superstar and Allstars, things would have looked a lot different!

[Big333223]

If Hayward didn't get hurt. if Kyrie had really wanted to be a Celtic. With Tatum and Brown turning into a superstar and Allstars, things would have looked a lot different!

Maybe because there are so many other things to talk about, I don't think we talk enough about the potential of that 2018 team.

Hayward gets hurt immediately and Kyrie doesn't play in the playoffs and they still went to Game 7 of the ECF.

Knowing what we know now, what if Hayward and Kyrie had stayed healthy and their playoff lineup was Irving, Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Horford with Rozier, Smart, Morris, and Baynes rounding out the rotation.

How far does that team get against the Warriors? What does reaching the NBA Finals together do to all those players?

Kind of a crazy what-if.

[GC003332]

I read on twitter that the Celtics have the most playoff wins in the NBA over the last 18 seasons. I can't figure out how to confirm that but now I really want to know where they rank.

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/most-playoff-wins-by-team-since-2004

According to this site you have the Spurs with 123 playoff wins first, then the Heat with 118 then the Celtics are equal third with the Cavs on 97 playoff wins.

[Roy H.]

If Hayward didn't get hurt. if Kyrie had really wanted to be a Celtic. With Tatum and Brown turning into a superstar and Allstars, things would have looked a lot different!

Maybe because there are so many other things to talk about, I don't think we talk enough about the potential of that 2018 team.

Hayward gets hurt immediately and Kyrie doesn't play in the playoffs and they still went to Game 7 of the ECF.

Knowing what we know now, what if Hayward and Kyrie had stayed healthy and their playoff lineup was Irving, Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Horford with Rozier, Smart, Morris, and Baynes rounding out the rotation.

How far does that team get against the Warriors? What does reaching the NBA Finals together do to all those players?

Kind of a crazy what-if.

It just shows how much luck plays a factor.  It’s not like Danny built around injury-prone players.  The basketball gods just screwed us.

I will go to my grave thinking that if KG, then Perk, don’t get injured, we hang 3 banners.  Hell, maybe we get one in 2011 as well, as good as that team was playing.  Even if Danny still wants to trade Perk that year, maybe a fully healthy Perk gets us Harden instead of Uncle Sleepy.  Regardless, three titles is realistic.

Then, if Hayward doesn’t get a freak injury, we’re rolling with Kyrie as our #1, Gordon as 1B, and Horford as an elite facilitator.  With a healthy team, I think everyone is less discouraged.  Kyrie re-ups, there are universally good feelings, and we make the AD trade.  It costs us a bundle — Tatum, a S&T of Rozier, the SAC #1, the MEM #1 and another 1st — but it’s worth the risk.

We end up with:

Horford / Baynes / Timelord
Davis / Morris / Theis
Hayward
Brown / Smart
Kyrie

In the draft, we don’t have the picks for Langford or Grant Williams, and we don’t trade down for Carson Edwards.  We take either Thybulle or Brandon Clarke (probably Thybulle due to roster construction).

So...

Horford / Baynes / Timelord
Davis / Morris / Theis
Hayward / Ojeleye
Brown / Thybulle
Kyrie / Smart / (Larkin or Wanamaker)

That team is 100% realistic, and I’ve got to think that it wins multiple titles.

In another universe, Danny’s ticket to the HOF is already punched, going down as one of the best executives of all-time.  He’s got 5+ titles as an executive, and two more as a player. 

It’s just one of those “good decisions, bad outcomes” things.

[showtime]

If Hayward didn't get hurt. if Kyrie had really wanted to be a Celtic. With Tatum and Brown turning into a superstar and Allstars, things would have looked a lot different!

Maybe because there are so many other things to talk about, I don't think we talk enough about the potential of that 2018 team.

Hayward gets hurt immediately and Kyrie doesn't play in the playoffs and they still went to Game 7 of the ECF.

Knowing what we know now, what if Hayward and Kyrie had stayed healthy and their playoff lineup was Irving, Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Horford with Rozier, Smart, Morris, and Baynes rounding out the rotation.

How far does that team get against the Warriors? What does reaching the NBA Finals together do to all those players?

Kind of a crazy what-if.

And what if that team stays healthy in 2019? We'd probably have won another title!

[showtime]

If Hayward didn't get hurt. if Kyrie had really wanted to be a Celtic. With Tatum and Brown turning into a superstar and Allstars, things would have looked a lot different!

Maybe because there are so many other things to talk about, I don't think we talk enough about the potential of that 2018 team.

Hayward gets hurt immediately and Kyrie doesn't play in the playoffs and they still went to Game 7 of the ECF.

Knowing what we know now, what if Hayward and Kyrie had stayed healthy and their playoff lineup was Irving, Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Horford with Rozier, Smart, Morris, and Baynes rounding out the rotation.

How far does that team get against the Warriors? What does reaching the NBA Finals together do to all those players?

Kind of a crazy what-if.

Now that's what I'm talking about!! Could it be the curse of Isaiah?

[showtime]

If Hayward didn't get hurt. if Kyrie had really wanted to be a Celtic. With Tatum and Brown turning into a superstar and Allstars, things would have looked a lot different!

Maybe because there are so many other things to talk about, I don't think we talk enough about the potential of that 2018 team.

Hayward gets hurt immediately and Kyrie doesn't play in the playoffs and they still went to Game 7 of the ECF.

Knowing what we know now, what if Hayward and Kyrie had stayed healthy and their playoff lineup was Irving, Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Horford with Rozier, Smart, Morris, and Baynes rounding out the rotation.

How far does that team get against the Warriors? What does reaching the NBA Finals together do to all those players?

Kind of a crazy what-if.

It just shows how much luck plays a factor.  It’s not like Danny built around injury-prone players.  The basketball gods just screwed us.

I will go to my grave thinking that if KG, then Perk, don’t get injured, we hang 3 banners.  Hell, maybe we get one in 2011 as well, as good as that team was playing.  Even if Danny still wants to trade Perk that year, maybe a fully healthy Perk gets us Harden instead of Uncle Sleepy.  Regardless, three titles is realistic.

Then, if Hayward doesn’t get a freak injury, we’re rolling with Kyrie as our #1, Gordon as 1B, and Horford as an elite facilitator.  With a healthy team, I think everyone is less discouraged.  Kyrie re-ups, there are universally good feelings, and we make the AD trade.  It costs us a bundle — Tatum, a S&T of Rozier, the SAC #1, the MEM #1 and another 1st — but it’s worth the risk.

We end up with:

Horford / Baynes / Timelord
Davis / Morris / Theis
Hayward
Brown / Smart
Kyrie

In the draft, we don’t have the picks for Langford or Grant Williams, and we don’t trade down for Carson Edwards.  We take either Thybulle or Brandon Clarke (probably Thybulle due to roster construction).

So...

Horford / Baynes / Timelord
Davis / Morris / Theis
Hayward / Ojeleye
Brown / Thybulle
Kyrie / Smart / (Larkin or Wanamaker)

That team is 100% realistic, and I’ve got to think that it wins multiple titles.

In another universe, Danny’s ticket to the HOF is already punched, going down as one of the best executives of all-time.  He’s got 5+ titles as an executive, and two more as a player. 

It’s just one of those “good decisions, bad outcomes” things.

That's how I thought it would happen! If only Kyrie had never made that pass to Hayward!

[Moranis]

It just shows how much luck plays a factor.  It’s not like Danny built around injury-prone players.  The basketball gods just screwed us.

Irving was absolutely injury-prone (in the 6 seasons in Cleveland he missed less than 10 games only once and missed a large percentage of the playoffs his first season in them).  Horford was as well, especially by that point in time.  Hayward was not, that was just a freak injury, which blew big time.  Of the young guys, obviously Tatum and Brown were not injury prone (though Brown is now showing those injury tendencies), but Smart was already injury prone by then. 

When you build a team around a frail nutcase, he will miss a lot of games and generally just be a nutcase. 

[Kiorrik]

If Hayward didn't get hurt. if Kyrie had really wanted to be a Celtic. With Tatum and Brown turning into a superstar and Allstars, things would have looked a lot different!

Maybe because there are so many other things to talk about, I don't think we talk enough about the potential of that 2018 team.

Hayward gets hurt immediately and Kyrie doesn't play in the playoffs and they still went to Game 7 of the ECF.

Knowing what we know now, what if Hayward and Kyrie had stayed healthy and their playoff lineup was Irving, Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Horford with Rozier, Smart, Morris, and Baynes rounding out the rotation.

How far does that team get against the Warriors? What does reaching the NBA Finals together do to all those players?

Kind of a crazy what-if.

It just shows how much luck plays a factor.  It’s not like Danny built around injury-prone players.  The basketball gods just screwed us.

I will go to my grave thinking that if KG, then Perk, don’t get injured, we hang 3 banners.  Hell, maybe we get one in 2011 as well, as good as that team was playing.  Even if Danny still wants to trade Perk that year, maybe a fully healthy Perk gets us Harden instead of Uncle Sleepy.  Regardless, three titles is realistic.

Then, if Hayward doesn’t get a freak injury, we’re rolling with Kyrie as our #1, Gordon as 1B, and Horford as an elite facilitator.  With a healthy team, I think everyone is less discouraged.  Kyrie re-ups, there are universally good feelings, and we make the AD trade.  It costs us a bundle — Tatum, a S&T of Rozier, the SAC #1, the MEM #1 and another 1st — but it’s worth the risk.

We end up with:

Horford / Baynes / Timelord
Davis / Morris / Theis
Hayward
Brown / Smart
Kyrie

In the draft, we don’t have the picks for Langford or Grant Williams, and we don’t trade down for Carson Edwards.  We take either Thybulle or Brandon Clarke (probably Thybulle due to roster construction).

So...

Horford / Baynes / Timelord
Davis / Morris / Theis
Hayward / Ojeleye
Brown / Thybulle
Kyrie / Smart / (Larkin or Wanamaker)

That team is 100% realistic, and I’ve got to think that it wins multiple titles.

In another universe, Danny’s ticket to the HOF is already punched, going down as one of the best executives of all-time.  He’s got 5+ titles as an executive, and two more as a player. 

It’s just one of those “good decisions, bad outcomes” things.

Love this whole post, but have always been 100% on board with that first highlighted bit.

That squad was so ridiculously good, it deserved 2 more.

[SparzWizard]

If Hayward didn't get hurt. if Kyrie had really wanted to be a Celtic. With Tatum and Brown turning into a superstar and Allstars, things would have looked a lot different!

Maybe because there are so many other things to talk about, I don't think we talk enough about the potential of that 2018 team.

Hayward gets hurt immediately and Kyrie doesn't play in the playoffs and they still went to Game 7 of the ECF.

Knowing what we know now, what if Hayward and Kyrie had stayed healthy and their playoff lineup was Irving, Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Horford with Rozier, Smart, Morris, and Baynes rounding out the rotation.

How far does that team get against the Warriors? What does reaching the NBA Finals together do to all those players?

Kind of a crazy what-if.

It just shows how much luck plays a factor.  It’s not like Danny built around injury-prone players.  The basketball gods just screwed us.

I will go to my grave thinking that if KG, then Perk, don’t get injured, we hang 3 banners.  Hell, maybe we get one in 2011 as well, as good as that team was playing.  Even if Danny still wants to trade Perk that year, maybe a fully healthy Perk gets us Harden instead of Uncle Sleepy.  Regardless, three titles is realistic.

Then, if Hayward doesn’t get a freak injury, we’re rolling with Kyrie as our #1, Gordon as 1B, and Horford as an elite facilitator.  With a healthy team, I think everyone is less discouraged.  Kyrie re-ups, there are universally good feelings, and we make the AD trade.  It costs us a bundle — Tatum, a S&T of Rozier, the SAC #1, the MEM #1 and another 1st — but it’s worth the risk.

We end up with:

Horford / Baynes / Timelord
Davis / Morris / Theis
Hayward
Brown / Smart
Kyrie

In the draft, we don’t have the picks for Langford or Grant Williams, and we don’t trade down for Carson Edwards.  We take either Thybulle or Brandon Clarke (probably Thybulle due to roster construction).

So...

Horford / Baynes / Timelord
Davis / Morris / Theis
Hayward / Ojeleye
Brown / Thybulle
Kyrie / Smart / (Larkin or Wanamaker)

That team is 100% realistic, and I’ve got to think that it wins multiple titles.

In another universe, Danny’s ticket to the HOF is already punched, going down as one of the best executives of all-time.  He’s got 5+ titles as an executive, and two more as a player. 

It’s just one of those “good decisions, bad outcomes” things.

Love this whole post, but have always been 100% on board with that first highlighted bit.

That squad was so ridiculously good, it deserved 2 more.

We win in 2009 and 2010 if KG/Perk didn't get hurt. Not sure if we'd beaten Miami with a healthy Perk in 2011-- they didn't have an answer for LBJ and Wade. Or if we'd get by the flame-hot Dallas Mavericks.

For sure we win 2012 if everybody was healthy, including Jeff Green, Chris Wilcox and those guys.

[Kiorrik]

If Hayward didn't get hurt. if Kyrie had really wanted to be a Celtic. With Tatum and Brown turning into a superstar and Allstars, things would have looked a lot different!

Maybe because there are so many other things to talk about, I don't think we talk enough about the potential of that 2018 team.

Hayward gets hurt immediately and Kyrie doesn't play in the playoffs and they still went to Game 7 of the ECF.

Knowing what we know now, what if Hayward and Kyrie had stayed healthy and their playoff lineup was Irving, Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Horford with Rozier, Smart, Morris, and Baynes rounding out the rotation.

How far does that team get against the Warriors? What does reaching the NBA Finals together do to all those players?

Kind of a crazy what-if.

It just shows how much luck plays a factor.  It’s not like Danny built around injury-prone players.  The basketball gods just screwed us.

I will go to my grave thinking that if KG, then Perk, don’t get injured, we hang 3 banners.  Hell, maybe we get one in 2011 as well, as good as that team was playing.  Even if Danny still wants to trade Perk that year, maybe a fully healthy Perk gets us Harden instead of Uncle Sleepy.  Regardless, three titles is realistic.

Then, if Hayward doesn’t get a freak injury, we’re rolling with Kyrie as our #1, Gordon as 1B, and Horford as an elite facilitator.  With a healthy team, I think everyone is less discouraged.  Kyrie re-ups, there are universally good feelings, and we make the AD trade.  It costs us a bundle — Tatum, a S&T of Rozier, the SAC #1, the MEM #1 and another 1st — but it’s worth the risk.

We end up with:

Horford / Baynes / Timelord
Davis / Morris / Theis
Hayward
Brown / Smart
Kyrie

In the draft, we don’t have the picks for Langford or Grant Williams, and we don’t trade down for Carson Edwards.  We take either Thybulle or Brandon Clarke (probably Thybulle due to roster construction).

So...

Horford / Baynes / Timelord
Davis / Morris / Theis
Hayward / Ojeleye
Brown / Thybulle
Kyrie / Smart / (Larkin or Wanamaker)

That team is 100% realistic, and I’ve got to think that it wins multiple titles.

In another universe, Danny’s ticket to the HOF is already punched, going down as one of the best executives of all-time.  He’s got 5+ titles as an executive, and two more as a player. 

It’s just one of those “good decisions, bad outcomes” things.

Love this whole post, but have always been 100% on board with that first highlighted bit.

That squad was so ridiculously good, it deserved 2 more.

We win in 2009 and 2010 if KG/Perk didn't get hurt. Not sure if we'd beaten Miami with a healthy Perk in 2011-- they didn't have an answer for LBJ and Wade. Or if we'd get by the flame-hot Dallas Mavericks.

For sure we win 2012 if everybody was healthy, including Jeff Green, Chris Wilcox and those guys.

Might also mention; we win '09 and '10, Rayray stays.

[Big333223]

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/most-playoff-wins-by-team-since-2004

According to this site you have the Spurs with 123 playoff wins first, then the Heat with 118 then the Celtics are equal third with the Cavs on 97 playoff wins.

TP. That ranking speaks pretty highly of Ainge.

It just shows how much luck plays a factor.  It’s not like Danny built around injury-prone players.  The basketball gods just screwed us.

I will go to my grave thinking that if KG, then Perk, don’t get injured, we hang 3 banners.  Hell, maybe we get one in 2011 as well, as good as that team was playing.  Even if Danny still wants to trade Perk that year, maybe a fully healthy Perk gets us Harden instead of Uncle Sleepy.  Regardless, three titles is realistic.

Then, if Hayward doesn’t get a freak injury, we’re rolling with Kyrie as our #1, Gordon as 1B, and Horford as an elite facilitator.  With a healthy team, I think everyone is less discouraged.  Kyrie re-ups, there are universally good feelings, and we make the AD trade.  It costs us a bundle — Tatum, a S&T of Rozier, the SAC #1, the MEM #1 and another 1st — but it’s worth the risk.

We end up with:

Horford / Baynes / Timelord
Davis / Morris / Theis
Hayward
Brown / Smart
Kyrie

In the draft, we don’t have the picks for Langford or Grant Williams, and we don’t trade down for Carson Edwards.  We take either Thybulle or Brandon Clarke (probably Thybulle due to roster construction).

So...

Horford / Baynes / Timelord
Davis / Morris / Theis
Hayward / Ojeleye
Brown / Thybulle
Kyrie / Smart / (Larkin or Wanamaker)

That team is 100% realistic, and I’ve got to think that it wins multiple titles.

In another universe, Danny’s ticket to the HOF is already punched, going down as one of the best executives of all-time.  He’s got 5+ titles as an executive, and two more as a player. 

It’s just one of those “good decisions, bad outcomes” things.

Love this whole post, but have always been 100% on board with that first highlighted bit.

That squad was so ridiculously good, it deserved 2 more.

Yep. The '09 squad was better than the '08 squad. Just as hungry as the year before but also playing loose and confident without the championship monkey on their backs. They were 44-11 in those first 55 games with healthy KG, on pace to match their 66-16 record from the year before.

And I'm convinced KG was still not back from his injury in '10. In game 7 of those finals, Pau Gasol has 9 offensive rebounds, 18 total, and Kobe had 15 rebounds. KG, who led the league in rebounding 4 times, had only 3. In a 4-point loss, that's a stat I'll never get over.

In '11, maybe they win that year if Shaq stays healthy. 9-5 in 20 mpg making 2/3 of his shots. What would that Heat team have done against Shaq for those 20 minutes?

Ugh... I'm going down the rabbit hole.

[Celtics2021]

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/most-playoff-wins-by-team-since-2004

According to this site you have the Spurs with 123 playoff wins first, then the Heat with 118 then the Celtics are equal third with the Cavs on 97 playoff wins.

TP. That ranking speaks pretty highly of Ainge.

It just shows how much luck plays a factor.  It’s not like Danny built around injury-prone players.  The basketball gods just screwed us.

I will go to my grave thinking that if KG, then Perk, don’t get injured, we hang 3 banners.  Hell, maybe we get one in 2011 as well, as good as that team was playing.  Even if Danny still wants to trade Perk that year, maybe a fully healthy Perk gets us Harden instead of Uncle Sleepy.  Regardless, three titles is realistic.

Then, if Hayward doesn’t get a freak injury, we’re rolling with Kyrie as our #1, Gordon as 1B, and Horford as an elite facilitator.  With a healthy team, I think everyone is less discouraged.  Kyrie re-ups, there are universally good feelings, and we make the AD trade.  It costs us a bundle — Tatum, a S&T of Rozier, the SAC #1, the MEM #1 and another 1st — but it’s worth the risk.

We end up with:

Horford / Baynes / Timelord
Davis / Morris / Theis
Hayward
Brown / Smart
Kyrie

In the draft, we don’t have the picks for Langford or Grant Williams, and we don’t trade down for Carson Edwards.  We take either Thybulle or Brandon Clarke (probably Thybulle due to roster construction).

So...

Horford / Baynes / Timelord
Davis / Morris / Theis
Hayward / Ojeleye
Brown / Thybulle
Kyrie / Smart / (Larkin or Wanamaker)

That team is 100% realistic, and I’ve got to think that it wins multiple titles.

In another universe, Danny’s ticket to the HOF is already punched, going down as one of the best executives of all-time.  He’s got 5+ titles as an executive, and two more as a player. 

It’s just one of those “good decisions, bad outcomes” things.

Love this whole post, but have always been 100% on board with that first highlighted bit.

That squad was so ridiculously good, it deserved 2 more.

Yep. The '09 squad was better than the '08 squad. Just as hungry as the year before but also playing loose and confident without the championship monkey on their backs. They were 44-11 in those first 55 games with healthy KG, on pace to match their 66-16 record from the year before.

And I'm convinced KG was still not back from his injury in '10. In game 7 of those finals, Pau Gasol has 9 offensive rebounds, 18 total, and Kobe had 15 rebounds. KG, who led the league in rebounding 4 times, had only 3. In a 4-point loss, that's a stat I'll never get over.

In '11, maybe they win that year if Shaq stays healthy. 9-5 in 20 mpg making 2/3 of his shots. What would that Heat team have done against Shaq for those 20 minutes?

Ugh... I'm going down the rabbit hole.

Assuming Wade still goons Rondo out of the playoffs in 2011, we weren’t going to win.

[Big333223]

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/most-playoff-wins-by-team-since-2004

According to this site you have the Spurs with 123 playoff wins first, then the Heat with 118 then the Celtics are equal third with the Cavs on 97 playoff wins.

TP. That ranking speaks pretty highly of Ainge.

It just shows how much luck plays a factor.  It’s not like Danny built around injury-prone players.  The basketball gods just screwed us.

I will go to my grave thinking that if KG, then Perk, don’t get injured, we hang 3 banners.  Hell, maybe we get one in 2011 as well, as good as that team was playing.  Even if Danny still wants to trade Perk that year, maybe a fully healthy Perk gets us Harden instead of Uncle Sleepy.  Regardless, three titles is realistic.

Then, if Hayward doesn’t get a freak injury, we’re rolling with Kyrie as our #1, Gordon as 1B, and Horford as an elite facilitator.  With a healthy team, I think everyone is less discouraged.  Kyrie re-ups, there are universally good feelings, and we make the AD trade.  It costs us a bundle — Tatum, a S&T of Rozier, the SAC #1, the MEM #1 and another 1st — but it’s worth the risk.

We end up with:

Horford / Baynes / Timelord
Davis / Morris / Theis
Hayward
Brown / Smart
Kyrie

In the draft, we don’t have the picks for Langford or Grant Williams, and we don’t trade down for Carson Edwards.  We take either Thybulle or Brandon Clarke (probably Thybulle due to roster construction).

So...

Horford / Baynes / Timelord
Davis / Morris / Theis
Hayward / Ojeleye
Brown / Thybulle
Kyrie / Smart / (Larkin or Wanamaker)

That team is 100% realistic, and I’ve got to think that it wins multiple titles.

In another universe, Danny’s ticket to the HOF is already punched, going down as one of the best executives of all-time.  He’s got 5+ titles as an executive, and two more as a player. 

It’s just one of those “good decisions, bad outcomes” things.

Love this whole post, but have always been 100% on board with that first highlighted bit.

That squad was so ridiculously good, it deserved 2 more.

Yep. The '09 squad was better than the '08 squad. Just as hungry as the year before but also playing loose and confident without the championship monkey on their backs. They were 44-11 in those first 55 games with healthy KG, on pace to match their 66-16 record from the year before.

And I'm convinced KG was still not back from his injury in '10. In game 7 of those finals, Pau Gasol has 9 offensive rebounds, 18 total, and Kobe had 15 rebounds. KG, who led the league in rebounding 4 times, had only 3. In a 4-point loss, that's a stat I'll never get over.

In '11, maybe they win that year if Shaq stays healthy. 9-5 in 20 mpg making 2/3 of his shots. What would that Heat team have done against Shaq for those 20 minutes?

Ugh... I'm going down the rabbit hole.

Assuming Wade still goons Rondo out of the playoffs in 2011, we weren’t going to win.

Maybe Shaq keeps his little brother on better behavior?