Time to blow it up

[BballTim]

Remember when we kept saying in 2002 that that team was a "mirage?"

Well, that's my feelings toward this current team.  I don't think we can repeat next season what we did this season.  I really believe this year was more mentally draining on these guys than they'd want to admit because it took so much effort for them to get there.  I just don't think they can do it again...it's a trap to believe otherwise...  (I believe our head coach even shares these thoughts privately.)

I agree with the OP and would consider getting out the dynamite...

  We can easily contend next year. I don't think it was especially mentally draining to go 27-27 over the last 2/3 of the season.

What if Doc decides to leave? Raaheed is most likely going to retire. Do you really think we can contend with an even older Pierce and KG, Perk just coming off of a major injury, and the uncertainty  of Ray even being there or not? And a new coach on top of that.
Lets be logical.

  We can return all 5 starters and BBD, we can re-sign TA and Nate if we want, and we have the MLE and possibly Sheed's vanishing contract. Perk will be coming back from injury but his game isn't exactly based on great athleticism. KG's knee will be healthier.

  Seems pretty logical. Acting like a top 2 team in the league can't compete, to me, seems less logical.

[More Banners]

Acting like a top 2 team in the league can't compete, to me, seems less logical.

I think there is a consensus building that the team overachieved, and is not really a top-2 team to begin with. 

How accurate that assessment is can be debated, but without Sheed, who was key to the playoff run, and with Perk out much of next season, also a key player in what make the club such a tough out in the playoffs, even if top-2 was solid, those two key losses threaten to make the 1969:2010 as 1970:2011 analogy painfully accurate. 

[Brendan]

I think between the Sheed thing, Perk and BBD, S&T for TA, S&T Scal to make salaries match, and MLE - we have a lot of ways to change the role players around big3+1.

Assuming nothing drastic - C's should target a wing that can both defend and shoot off the bench - Battier, Dudley are two I like. They can replace 80% of what Perk brings to the table with a vet signing if needed - I'd rather see him stay and think he'll be in form by mid season anyways. They'd do well to find a big with a post game - getting some easy buckets with the second unit and preventing the clogged toilet with the first unit. I'd love that to be Jefferson - but am open to any option for a guy who can score in the block. Then they should look to combine the rolls of Nate and TA - if it's true that West might be an FA, get him, otherwise keep looking for a combo guard that can defend and drain 3s.

[greg_kite]

No way!

Who in the East is scary right now?

If Lebron goes back to Cleveland do they improve?  Besides Lebron their team is old, with Jamison, Shaq and Z looking older than the Cs.

Atlanta could lose JJ and take a step back.

Orlando was full strenth but were OWNED by the Cs and KG had a subpar series.

Chicago is the only team that would scare me but even they would lack size if they only get Lebron.

So if you ask me the C's have as good a shot as any Eastern team of getting back to the finals (before free agency).  Why would you want to mess with that?

[MF Doom]

Remember when we kept saying in 2002 that that team was a "mirage?"

Well, that's my feelings toward this current team.  I don't think we can repeat next season what we did this season.  I really believe this year was more mentally draining on these guys than they'd want to admit because it took so much effort for them to get there.  I just don't think they can do it again...it's a trap to believe otherwise...  (I believe our head coach even shares these thoughts privately.)

I agree with the OP and would consider getting out the dynamite...

  We can easily contend next year. I don't think it was especially mentally draining to go 27-27 over the last 2/3 of the season.

What if Doc decides to leave? Raaheed is most likely going to retire. Do you really think we can contend with an even older Pierce and KG, Perk just coming off of a major injury, and the uncertainty  of Ray even being there or not? And a new coach on top of that.
Lets be logical.

  We can return all 5 starters and BBD, we can re-sign TA and Nate if we want, and we have the MLE and possibly Sheed's vanishing contract. Perk will be coming back from injury but his game isn't exactly based on great athleticism. KG's knee will be healthier.

  Seems pretty logical. Acting like a top 2 team in the league can't compete, to me, seems less logical.

Unless we can solve the problem of rebounding or having a consistent scorer, which are the two reasons we lost game 7, then why not look towards the future? With all of the unncertanties and circumstances we are under, it seems highly unlikely that we can win a title next year, which is the goal, not just going a few rounds into the playoffs

[PosImpos]

Acting like a top 2 team in the league can't compete, to me, seems less logical.

I think there is a consensus building that the team overachieved, and is not really a top-2 team to begin with.  

How accurate that assessment is can be debated, but without Sheed, who was key to the playoff run, and with Perk out much of next season, also a key player in what make the club such a tough out in the playoffs, even if top-2 was solid, those two key losses threaten to make the 1969:2010 as 1970:2011 analogy painfully accurate.  

Well, the C's were winning championships again by the mid-70's so I guess I wouldn't mind if we're on that kind of track.

I really just dread the prospect of being out of contention for 5-6 years and not winning a title again for 10+ years

[Andy Jick]

Who in the East is scary right now?

I think Milwaukee will be a greatly improved team...

[BballTim]

Acting like a top 2 team in the league can't compete, to me, seems less logical.

I think there is a consensus building that the team overachieved, and is not really a top-2 team to begin with. 

  Fine. There was a consensus building all year that the Celts were done and wouldn't be able to compete for a title. How'd that turn out?

[BballTim]

Remember when we kept saying in 2002 that that team was a "mirage?"

Well, that's my feelings toward this current team.  I don't think we can repeat next season what we did this season.  I really believe this year was more mentally draining on these guys than they'd want to admit because it took so much effort for them to get there.  I just don't think they can do it again...it's a trap to believe otherwise...  (I believe our head coach even shares these thoughts privately.)

I agree with the OP and would consider getting out the dynamite...

  We can easily contend next year. I don't think it was especially mentally draining to go 27-27 over the last 2/3 of the season.

What if Doc decides to leave? Raaheed is most likely going to retire. Do you really think we can contend with an even older Pierce and KG, Perk just coming off of a major injury, and the uncertainty  of Ray even being there or not? And a new coach on top of that.
Lets be logical.

  We can return all 5 starters and BBD, we can re-sign TA and Nate if we want, and we have the MLE and possibly Sheed's vanishing contract. Perk will be coming back from injury but his game isn't exactly based on great athleticism. KG's knee will be healthier.

  Seems pretty logical. Acting like a top 2 team in the league can't compete, to me, seems less logical.

Unless we can solve the problem of rebounding or having a consistent scorer, which are the two reasons we lost game 7, then why not look towards the future? With all of the unncertanties and circumstances we are under, it seems highly unlikely that we can win a title next year, which is the goal, not just going a few rounds into the playoffs

  So we lost game 7 (without Perk) because of insurmountable problems? Weren't we able to beat Cleveland and Orlando and win 3 against LA in spite of those weaknesses? And if "just going a few rounds into the playoffs" falls short of our goals, how does dismantling the team and winning 40 games or so meet our goals?

  This thread is just an overreaction.

[BballTim]

Who in the East is scary right now?

I think Milwaukee will be a greatly improved team...

  By adding Maggette?

[PosImpos]

Who in the East is scary right now?

I think Milwaukee will be a greatly improved team...

How about the 1 or 2 teams that will end up with LeBron and / or a couple of top free agents?

If Miami manages to add Amare or Bosh to Wade + a bunch of other solid roleplayers, they are immediately the best team in the East.  If they add LeBron, the Heat are the best team in the NBA and win titles for the next 5 years (at least). 

Seriously, if LeBron and Wade play on the same team, how many games does that team lose?  As unlikely as that is, a team with LeBron + Bosh or Wade + Bosh would still be incredibly scary.

The Magic are still gonna be pretty good, too - though I think they are still one piece away from a real title team.

[MF Doom]

Neither meet our goals but it creates a window for the future. If we dont win it all next year, which I've already stated is unlikely, then that window is completely shut.