Start to Tank A Bit

[Phantom255x]

The C's right now are in a 3-way tie with PHI and MIL for the 2-4 seeds.

I still think the #4 seed is the best one for the Celtics, given it'd allow them to play Chicago or Cleveland 1st round with HCA, then probably Miami next round, and therefore you avoid all of PHI/BKN/MIL until the ECF at earliest, while in all likelihood at least two of those teams will play each other in a series and knock the other off.

Idk if the 2 or 3 seed would be ideal since there's a chance you face BKN first round, and then almost guaranteed to play MIL/PHI the next round.

Have to start thinking about the matchups going forward.

[Donoghus]

I think you worry about securing as much HCA as you can and let the other things fall as they fall.

This Celtics team is a legit title contender.  Get the HCA and make things a little easier on yourself.

[Roy H.]

Tanking is bad karma.  The absolute earliest I'd start thinking about it is Game 81.  If at that point it makes sense to rest the starters for a couple of games, maybe you think about it.

But really, this team has shown that it absolutely thrives on momentum.  I worry about the signal that taking the foot off the gas sends to the team, and how they react to it, consciously or subconsciously.  Plus, other teams should be scared of us, not the reverse.  If we end up playing BRK, hit them in the mouth, win that series, and have an easier series in the second round.

[Moranis]

There are no guarantees on where any team is going to finish so there is no point in tanking.  Heck the 1 seed is in play.  Miami's schedule is pretty tough and they only have a 2.5 game lead.  Their schedule is: GS, NY, BKN, SAC, @ BOS, @ CHI, @ TOR, CHA, ATL, @ ORL

It isn't totally out of the realm of possibility that MIL or PHI falls to 5 (with CHI at 3) and the other ends up 1 with BKN at 7.  Thus by being the 4 seed, Boston might end up playing Philly, Milwaukee, and Brooklyn. 

Also, tanking last year cost the Clippers as they had that very difficult 1st round match-up which seemed to wear Kawhi down and then he ended up getting hurt.  Perhaps if they didn't throw the games at the end of the year, we are talking about the Clippers as the defending NBA champs with them looking like clear favorites to repeat because Kawhi never gets hurt.

[Big333223]

Tanking is bad karma.  The absolute earliest I'd start thinking about it is Game 81.  If at that point it makes sense to rest the starters for a couple of games, maybe you think about it.

But really, this team has shown that it absolutely thrives on momentum.  I worry about the signal that taking the foot off the gas sends to the team, and how they react to it, consciously or subconsciously.  Plus, other teams should be scared of us, not the reverse.  If we end up playing BRK, hit them in the mouth, win that series, and have an easier series in the second round.

This.

The 4th seed is my preferred path for the team but you've gotta go into the playoffs with the mindset that you can beat anyone on any night. Tanking to avoid someone feels like leading with fear.

[slamtheking]

tanking is BS.  coward's way out.  take on all comers and send them packing.

the way this team has been playing they can beat anyone in the league.  let the rest of the league worry about avoiding the C's, not the other way around.

[RJD1974]

I might be in the minority, but I WANT the Nets in the opening round.

[Phantom255x]

Okay maybe tanking was a bit of a strong word there, but I think in the final 4-5 games, it's worthwhile to look at the standings, where each team's at and then evaluate from there. Rest guys if needed, don't go all out if it's the difference between playing Brooklyn 1st round or say, Chicago/Cleveland

[angryguy77]

If we can't beat the best in the first/second round, we don't belong there. Might as well be put out of our misery if that's the case.

[showtime]

 ;Some of these teams,may start tanking to avoid playing us, when it gets down to the last couple games! The way we've played these last 25 games, I wouldn't look forward to playing us!!

[liam]

tanking is BS.  coward's way out.  take on all comers and send them packing.

the way this team has been playing they can beat anyone in the league.  let the rest of the league worry about avoiding the C's, not the other way around.

AMEN!

[Goldstar88]

I don’t think they are going to tank, however, strategically resting guys may be http://a smart move so that players are fresh for the playoffs.

[RPGenerate]

tanking is BS.  coward's way out.  take on all comers and send them packing.

the way this team has been playing they can beat anyone in the league.  let the rest of the league worry about avoiding the C's, not the other way around.

I agree with this. If this team isn't good enough to beat the best teams in the league, then the chances are really low that we'd get far anyway.

[colincb]

I want whoever the 8th seed is.

[droopdog7]

Do the words HELL NO mean anything?  Listen, I am not opposed to jockeying for the position at some point.  But it's WAY too early for that right now.  You can think about that with MAX two game left.