I think they will, but the way things are going, I wouldn't be surprised if they're fighting until the last couple of weeks of the regular season to make it in.

First round exit looks like a virtual certainty, barring some kind of major shakeup around the trade deadline.


I'm with you, though -- if the Celtics are still struggling to stay around .500 a month and a half or so from now, I think DA should seriously explore just blowing up the team and trying to get some picks in the upcoming draft / tanking for a late-ish lottery pick.

7 seed...get the bulls in round 1

i think if the draw miami or the bulls round one...they get swept

The team's sure been playing like about a 7 seed, haven't they?  Beating some of the league's dregs, but not quite able to get over the hump against any of the better teams.  It's kind of what I expected to see this year; they're warriors, so they aren't going to give up or tank, but they simply are not one of the three best teams in the conference any more and they don't look likely to get very deep in the playoffs.  They'll get some wins, they'll look better as Pierce and Pietrus round into shape, but it's hard for me to see what they can do to get significantly better by year-end.

With that said, I don't want to see them tank.  There's still enough talent where they aren't going to get a real high pick, anyway.  But, I don't want them to make desperate trades to shore up the bench, nothing that's going to sacrifice young players or draft picks.  Don't trade JJJ (or even AB) for a veteran guy to give bench scoring.  I don't see this as being a season where the young guys are going to get too much of an opportunity to play, but we're got to start rebuilding somewhere, rebuilding at least some potential future assets.  

So, I think they'll make the playoffs, but I don't think they'll go far, and the core of the team isn't good enough to justify sacrificing any more young/picks.  

EDIT: I also think we're seeing that it's not worth signing Ray Allen to an extension.  Love Ray Allen, he's probably been the team's MVP so far this year, and I have no doubt he'll be contributing SOMEWHERE for at least a few more seasons - but it's time to start rebuilding with some youth.  Don't sacrifice the cap space.

Quote from: PosImpos on January 11, 2012, 10:48:41 PM

I think they will, but the way things are going, I wouldn't be surprised if they're fighting until the last couple of weeks of the regular season to make it in.

First round exit looks like a virtual certainty, barring some kind of major shakeup around the trade deadline.

we really arent different than the #3 seed team we were last year.

the team is older, the bench is less productive, they're much weaker at the center position (and smaller), the defense doesn't compare, KG seems to have lost a step, and they can't seem to get over the hump against good teams. 

also, the condensed season schedule really doesn't do them any favors.  just being as good as last year's team wouldn't even get them the 3rd seed in this kind of season, i don't think.  playing this badly, they'll be scraping to make the playoffs.

thing is the east is much better this year...philly looks great....atlanta looks better...the pacers are really good...and the knicks have some serious offense....that leaves boston in the 7 or 8 hole

Quote from: cman88 on January 11, 2012, 11:03:50 PM

I think we'll get our stuff together as more games are played and guys start to get their timing and conditioning back.

That may be true, but it's probably true for a good number of teams in the league.  Pierce's injury has set us back, but I don't see why the timing/conditioning thing is something particular to Boston.  Dallas looked pretty winded in the fourth quarter too, you know?

its not particular to boston..Dallas just got over .500 tonight and looked pretty winded as well if it wasnt for Dirks heroics in the 4th

what we are seeing now is that the younger/athletic teams are off to a flying start. because those guys honestly dont need much to get back into shape.

I think alot of the older players are used to using the training camps/pre-season to work themselves into game shape..keep in mind this is pierces 5th game of the season.

I think we will be playing alot better in march/febuary than we are now