Start to Tank A Bit

[Celtics2021]

So Kyrie can now play all the games. Nets 1st round is a terrifying prospect

No, it's not terrifying.  The Celtics are better than the Nets with or without Kyrie.  They might wind up being a more difficult team than their seeding indicates, but they aren't terrifying.  They've got the 22nd ranked defense for a reason, and Kyrie isn't helping that.  Ultimately they're a flawed team that needs a superhero effort by Durant virtually every night just to be competitive.

I think it would be foolish to underestimate them. The Nets are the most dangerous team in the East if healthy and the last team I would have want the C’s to play in the first round. They nearly beat the Bucks last year and they were missing starters.

Kyrie, Curry, Durant, Simmons, Drummond with Dragic, Mills, Aldridge, Brown off the bench is as talented if not more talented than any team in the NBA.

This team just gave up 132 to Memphis last night without Morant.  The defense is tremendously flawed.  They’ve barely played together as a team — heck, if you’re including Simmons they won’t have played together at all.  Durant missed a lot of time with a knee injury and has had to play 37 minutes a night since his return.  The Celtics overall talent is greater, and their level of connectedness is far greater.  It would be an entertaining series that I firmly expect the Celtics would win.  Not sweep, but definitely win, probably in 5.

[ozgod]

So Kyrie can now play all the games. Nets 1st round is a terrifying prospect

I point back to my comment right before yours. You control what YOU can control.  The Nets could potentially go up the standings, I think 6th is even in reach possibly for them with how the Bulls have been slumping a bit.

You have no idea where Brooklyn lands, unless you're talking 1-2 games left in the season.  Win as many games as you can, get the best seeding possible to have as many home games as possible, and let the chips fall where they may, because who knows where Brooklyn lands.

Yes, it's really just a fan debate as to the ideal seed to get a "favorable" matchup against someone. Definitely there are some favorable matchups for us, probably Chicago and Cleveland. But I'm sure the players and coaches aren't thinking about that at all. They just want to keep playing as well as they have been playing, and only taking it one game at a time and see where they end up and who they have to play. They will be prepared for any of the teams they are facing and they would have to believe they can beat any of the teams they are facing, because there's no room for doubt if you want to make a deep playoff run.

At the end of the day they have to beat any and all these teams to win it all. I would find it hard to believe anybody would plan to throw games or risking loss of momentum just to play the Bulls vs the Nets just because it would be a better chance of getting to the 2nd round. I would love it we could somehow get the No1 seed, even if it meant us playing the Nets. They have the best player in the league in KD, but honestly, the team I'm most afraid of from a matchup point of view is Milwaukee. I think they match up well against us and our game against them will be a really good yardstick.

[Hoopvortex]

So Kyrie can now play all the games. Nets 1st round is a terrifying prospect

No, it's not terrifying.  The Celtics are better than the Nets with or without Kyrie.  They might wind up being a more difficult team than their seeding indicates, but they aren't terrifying.  They've got the 22nd ranked defense for a reason, and Kyrie isn't helping that.  Ultimately they're a flawed team that needs a superhero effort by Durant virtually every night just to be competitive.

I think it would be foolish to underestimate them. The Nets are the most dangerous team in the East if healthy and the last team I would have want the C’s to play in the first round. They nearly beat the Bucks last year and they were missing starters.

Kyrie, Curry, Durant, Simmons, Drummond with Dragic, Mills, Aldridge, Brown off the bench is as talented if not more talented than any team in the NBA.

They don't even have a timetable for Simmons' return; even if he makes it back for the second round I wouldn't bet much on his effectiveness. Joe Harris is out for the season. Seth Curry returning would help their depth, and their offense, a lot, but their real problem is defense.

Durant played 40 minutes last night in a loss; and Irving played 44. It's fair to say that they were pulling out the stops to get a win, but in vain.

So while your argument is on the whole a good one, their current circumstances tend to undermine it.

[Goldstar88]

So Kyrie can now play all the games. Nets 1st round is a terrifying prospect

No, it's not terrifying.  The Celtics are better than the Nets with or without Kyrie.  They might wind up being a more difficult team than their seeding indicates, but they aren't terrifying.  They've got the 22nd ranked defense for a reason, and Kyrie isn't helping that.  Ultimately they're a flawed team that needs a superhero effort by Durant virtually every night just to be competitive.

I think it would be foolish to underestimate them. The Nets are the most dangerous team in the East if healthy and the last team I would have want the C’s to play in the first round. They nearly beat the Bucks last year and they were missing starters.

Kyrie, Curry, Durant, Simmons, Drummond with Dragic, Mills, Aldridge, Brown off the bench is as talented if not more talented than any team in the NBA.

This team just gave up 132 to Memphis last night without Morant.  The defense is tremendously flawed.  They’ve barely played together as a team — heck, if you’re including Simmons they won’t have played together at all.  Durant missed a lot of time with a knee injury and has had to play 37 minutes a night since his return.  The Celtics overall talent is greater, and their level of connectedness is far greater.  It would be an entertaining series that I firmly expect the Celtics would win.  Not sweep, but definitely win, probably in 5.

Again, “IF” the Nets are healthy or at least to the point where Simmons, Dragic, Curry, are available for the playoffs. Also, Memphis is a very good team with or without Morant. Think they might  have a better record without, which is strange. Playoffs are about a month away, so there is still time for them to get those guys back.

[Kiorrik]

Dunno about you guys but I'd rather face the Nets round 1 than ECF.

1. Health
2. Momentum
3. Not tired from 2 other playoff series

Top 2 will for sure affect us, the third is a potential worry if we struggle in 7 game series where they crush their opponents in 4's.

Bring these fools on now, whilst we know we can kick their butts.

[ETNCeltics]

I doubt the Celtics have considered it. Maybe Brad has looked at it, but Ime and the players are too consumed with the regular season still to look at this sort of thing.

None of these teams will be easy. IMO, we shouldn't think about resting anyone other than Al until the last couple games. Avoiding BKN and getting Toronto instead is no picnic. We're going to have to go through a gauntlet to win the East, no matter which seed we are.

[Kiorrik]

https://www.sportscasting.com/seth-curry-availability-greater-concern-nets-ben-simmons-return/

Nets possibly without Curry for a while?

Bring on the Nets ASAP plz

If we lose, we don't deserve it anyway. Bring 'm on. Right now.

[Neurotic Guy]

https://www.sportscasting.com/seth-curry-availability-greater-concern-nets-ben-simmons-return/

Nets possibly without Curry for a while?

Bring on the Nets ASAP plz

If we lose, we don't deserve it anyway. Bring 'm on. Right now.

I'm good however it plays out, but it would be a slightly easier pathway to not have to face 3 of Nets, Bucks, Sixers, and Heat in the 3 rounds.  But it's not like Cleveland, Chicago, Atlanta/Charlotte, or Toronto will be a cake walk in round 1.   I'd rather the C's set their sites on the #1 seed and HCA than try to strategize to avoid the Nets.

[Kiorrik]

https://www.sportscasting.com/seth-curry-availability-greater-concern-nets-ben-simmons-return/

Nets possibly without Curry for a while?

Bring on the Nets ASAP plz

If we lose, we don't deserve it anyway. Bring 'm on. Right now.

I'm good however it plays out, but it would be a slightly easier pathway to not have to face 3 of Nets, Bucks, Sixers, and Heat in the 3 rounds.  But it's not like Cleveland, Chicago, Atlanta/Charlotte, or Toronto will be a cake walk in round 1.   I'd rather the C's set their sites on the #1 seed and HCA than try to strategize to avoid the Nets.

Yeah - keep this steamroller going and flatten any and every thing that gets in our way.

[gouki88]

So Kyrie can now play all the games. Nets 1st round is a terrifying prospect

No, it's not terrifying.  The Celtics are better than the Nets with or without Kyrie.  They might wind up being a more difficult team than their seeding indicates, but they aren't terrifying.  They've got the 22nd ranked defense for a reason, and Kyrie isn't helping that.  Ultimately they're a flawed team that needs a superhero effort by Durant virtually every night just to be competitive.

I think it would be foolish to underestimate them. The Nets are the most dangerous team in the East if healthy and the last team I would have want the C’s to play in the first round. They nearly beat the Bucks last year and they were missing starters.

Kyrie, Curry, Durant, Simmons, Drummond with Dragic, Mills, Aldridge, Brown off the bench is as talented if not more talented than any team in the NBA.

This team just gave up 132 to Memphis last night without Morant.  The defense is tremendously flawed.  They’ve barely played together as a team — heck, if you’re including Simmons they won’t have played together at all.  Durant missed a lot of time with a knee injury and has had to play 37 minutes a night since his return.  The Celtics overall talent is greater, and their level of connectedness is far greater.  It would be an entertaining series that I firmly expect the Celtics would win.  Not sweep, but definitely win, probably in 5.

Again, “IF” the Nets are healthy or at least to the point where Simmons, Dragic, Curry, are available for the playoffs. Also, Memphis is a very good team with or without Morant. Think they might  have a better record without, which is strange. Playoffs are about a month away, so there is still time for them to get those guys back.

There is no excuse for a team that is supposedly as frightening as Brooklyn to be giving up 132 to Memphis without their best offensive player. Brooklyn are deeply flawed.

[Phantom255x]

Okay maybe no tanking, 1 seed is in play and BKN seems like they could get the 7 or even 6 seed if TOR slips up 

[liam]

So Kyrie can now play all the games. Nets 1st round is a terrifying prospect

No, it's not terrifying.  The Celtics are better than the Nets with or without Kyrie.  They might wind up being a more difficult team than their seeding indicates, but they aren't terrifying.  They've got the 22nd ranked defense for a reason, and Kyrie isn't helping that.  Ultimately they're a flawed team that needs a superhero effort by Durant virtually every night just to be competitive.

I think it would be foolish to underestimate them. The Nets are the most dangerous team in the East if healthy and the last team I would have want the C’s to play in the first round. They nearly beat the Bucks last year and they were missing starters.

Kyrie, Curry, Durant, Simmons, Drummond with Dragic, Mills, Aldridge, Brown off the bench is as talented if not more talented than any team in the NBA.

This team just gave up 132 to Memphis last night without Morant.  The defense is tremendously flawed.  They’ve barely played together as a team — heck, if you’re including Simmons they won’t have played together at all.  Durant missed a lot of time with a knee injury and has had to play 37 minutes a night since his return.  The Celtics overall talent is greater, and their level of connectedness is far greater.  It would be an entertaining series that I firmly expect the Celtics would win.  Not sweep, but definitely win, probably in 5.

Again, “IF” the Nets are healthy or at least to the point where Simmons, Dragic, Curry, are available for the playoffs. Also, Memphis is a very good team with or without Morant. Think they might  have a better record without, which is strange. Playoffs are about a month away, so there is still time for them to get those guys back.

There is no excuse for a team that is supposedly as frightening as Brooklyn to be giving up 132 to Memphis without their best offensive player. Brooklyn are deeply flawed.

The Nets can't defend. That's going to be a real problem in the playoffs. Durant is probably their best defender but he doesn't play defense like he used to. They can score a lot of points but can't stop other teams.

[BringToughnessBack]

Beat the Nets in the first round and before you know, Banner 18 is being raised to the rafters. I see this as the Sox beating the Yankees in 2004 and coasting to the series after that.

Keep playing lights out and destroy anyone in our way during the playoffs. No matter who it is, we can beat anyone if we play like we have the past month.

[Big333223]

It's crazy to me that there's a situation on the table where the Celtics get the 1 seed with home court advantage and face a path of: Cavs, Heat, and then one of the Bucks/Sixers to get to the Finals.

Whatever happens, happens but it's just crazy that that is on the table and not even a long shot.

[ozgod]

Okay maybe no tanking, 1 seed is in play and BKN seems like they could get the 7 or even 6 seed if TOR slips up 

Yup, finish as high as we can and see what happens