Is Tanking in 2012-2013 a legitimate Plan D?

[Corey]

It's a completely legitimate option for a number of reasons.

1) Obtain Paul...Paul leaves, KG and Ray expire, and the only salary you're committed to is Pierce. No big free agents have ever signed in Boston -- EVER --, so you're looking at a team of Pierce and scrubs. With any luck, you trade him for a pair of first rounders.

2) Keep Rondo and extend Green, KG and Ray expire, and you move forward with Rondo, Pierce and Green. AT BEST you're a 6 seed with this core. You wont win the atlantic with the Knicks and 76ers growing stronger. Stuck with early 20's picks for the remainder of Rondo's contract...You're just putting off the inevitable rebuild for a few years.

3) Blow it up at the deadline this year when you realize the old guys can't win a title together (assuming you dont get Paul). Acquire as many picks and young players as possible for the 'big' four. Start the rebuild immediately while your players still have value.

4) In the off chance you get lucky, you get Paul...and he convinces Howard to come on board and you move forward with Paul, Pierce and Howard. Best scenario, obviously.

[Inside-Out]

I give any plan involving tanking a deep F.

Just not what we're about.

Minus 500 TP's for even thinking about it.

[LooseCannon]

maybe play good enough to make playoffs, go into the playoffs with healthy bodies.

We have so many back-to-back-to-back games this year and its going to tear the Celtics apart with injuries, so I say they should just tank those games

so come 2012 summer, we have a possible of two 1st round picks between 11-20...

Say we get CP3, and trade those 2 draft picks + players for Dwight, I'm pretty sure having 2 high 1st round picks appeals to anyone

The Celtics have the minimum of one back-to-back-to-back April 13-15.  Picks 11-20 are not high 1st round picks.  A solid role player is a good result for that level of pick.

[PosImpos]

maybe play good enough to make playoffs, go into the playoffs with healthy bodies.

We have so many back-to-back-to-back games this year and its going to tear the Celtics apart with injuries, so I say they should just tank those games

so come 2012 summer, we have a possible of two 1st round picks between 11-20...

Say we get CP3, and trade those 2 draft picks + players for Dwight, I'm pretty sure having 2 high 1st round picks appeals to anyone

The Celtics have the minimum of one back-to-back-to-back April 13-15.  Picks 11-20 are not high 1st round picks.  A solid role player is a good result for that level of pick.

in the 2012 draft, that might not be the case.  you might be able to count on getting a solid starter in the late lottery.

[PosImpos]

Just not what we're about.

um . . . what do you think 06-07 was all about, then?

[nickagneta]

Just not what we're about.

um . . . what do you think 06-07 was all about, then?

Don't forget that ML Carr year back in 1998(??) when Red Auerbach was still involved with the team. The Celtics tanked like crazy that year.

[snively]

I think Ainge prefers to see non-contending seasons as developmental seasons, not plunges into the tank.

He'd try to collect some young players and give them playing time, try to buy low/sell high on guys like Ricky Davis, Toine... I don't think there'd be much in the way of deliberate losing for draft position.

[erisred]

3) Blow it up at the deadline this year when you realize the old guys can't win a title together (assuming you dont get Paul). Acquire as many picks and young players as possible for the 'big' four. Start the rebuild immediately while your players still have value.

I don't think Danny gets Chris Paul now. I don't think Danny will be able to get Dwight Howard later, either.  IMO, if we get no Paul, then go ahead and clear the decks right now.

[jc3celticsphan]

tanking gets you no where. the "closed door lottery" sucks and we should have rondo and durant right now. just sayin

[jc3celticsphan]

scratch that rondo durant and al jeff. possibly pierce if he didnt demand a trade