Article: Why the Celtics should make one more run with current core

[PosImpos]

No one is going to force you to watch.

Ooooo, good one!

[GreenEnvy]

Not really the best time to post this article.


But the article itself doesn't really say anything new and just appeals to this nebulous idea that "they might as well make one more run" and "they're beating themselves" as if the team is just going to become completely different overnight as soon as the playoffs begin.  They haven't played like an elite team, or beaten one, all season.

The playoffs are a different beast. We are obviously an old team, and this compressed season is taking it's toll in our legs.

When the playoffs begin, games get spread out (one or two days off between every game) and coaching, strategy, and defense all prevail.

This team basically turned the proverbial switch in 2010 after a lackluster regular season. I believe the notion that we can't make another run because we lose to joke teams or get blown out the night after OT losses is flawed.

I personally am against trading the Big Three because we couldn't get anything close to equal value for them. I am in favor of trading everything else, including (especially?) Rondo and the picks. Why some people are obsessed with these non-lottery picks baffles me. For every Al Jefferson DA drafts, there is a Gerald Green.

[PosImpos]

Not really the best time to post this article.


But the article itself doesn't really say anything new and just appeals to this nebulous idea that "they might as well make one more run" and "they're beating themselves" as if the team is just going to become completely different overnight as soon as the playoffs begin.  They haven't played like an elite team, or beaten one, all season.

The playoffs are a different beast. We are obviously an old team, and this compressed season is taking it's toll in our legs.

When the playoffs begin, games get spread out (one or two days off between every game) and coaching, strategy, and defense all prevail.

This team basically turned the proverbial switch in 2010 after a lackluster regular season. I believe the notion that we can't make another run because we lose to joke teams or get blown out the night after OT losses is flawed.

I personally am against trading the Big Three because we couldn't get anything close to equal value for them. I am in favor of trading everything else, including (especially?) Rondo and the picks. Why some people are obsessed with these non-lottery picks baffles me. For every Al Jefferson DA drafts, there is a Gerald Green.

I know all of that very well; I suffered through the 2010 season and was shocked by the playoff run like most people here.

The difference with that team is that all along we knew they were perfectly capable of playing like an elite team.  They were just so disjointed, dejected, and distracted throughout the regular season that it seemed far-fetched to think they'd get it all together as soon as the playoffs began.

This season, I really think this team is, more often than not, fighting hard out there.  I think for the most part we've seen the best this team has to offer.  I think they'd have a fighting chance against any team in the East in a playoff series -- except for the Heat or Bulls.

[GreenFaith1819]

I'm on board.

Get everyone healthy, and make a final run with this group.

Do it.

Target Josh Smith in the off-season, Wilcox, Jeff Green, Bass, Pietrus and convince Ray and KG to return. Let the youngsters JJ, E'twaun and AB develop, too. Perhaps Stiemsma as well.

Why Josh Smith? I betting that he won't be too difficult to convince to come here...BOS won't have to wine and dine and beg him to come...he's already gone on record as being supportive and friends with Rondo.

Plus, I'm sure that we've all seen how Josh Smith has carried ATL the last few weeks. The man has some good qualities in him that are coming to the surface now that Johnson and Horford were hurt.

But as for the rest of the season I personally don't care if we lose again in the playoffs, but I certainly wouldn't want to be our opponent(s).

We'd make quite a dangerous foe. I liken this group to THIS guy:



Old, a bit eccentric, but unpredictable and dangerous. Ask ORL (27 pt comeback on the road) about unpredictable.

I tell you, after watching with JOY as BOS inserted its foot up LA's behinds in June 2008, anything after that was a bonus, to me.

I know I don't speak for everyone, but again - 132 to 91 was WORTH IT. Every single drop.

Perhaps add a big or Beasely over the next few weeks - if he can be pried from Minny without us giving up too much.

But don't touch the Core Four. Let the trade deadline pass, and I'm betting that Ray will play better without these rumors floating around.

I'm betting that UBUNTU will return in full force.

Who knows what could happen?

[KGs Knee]

Not really the best time to post this article.


But the article itself doesn't really say anything new and just appeals to this nebulous idea that "they might as well make one more run" and "they're beating themselves" as if the team is just going to become completely different overnight as soon as the playoffs begin.  They haven't played like an elite team, or beaten one, all season.

There's nothing nebulous about wanting to see this team make one more run at it.  I still don't think that Danny will make a trade unless he thinks it's one that improves the team's chances for this season.  For this reason, I think it's highly unlikely that Pierce, Garnett, Rondo, or even Allen aren't in Celtic green after the trade deadline. 

I can appreciate the idea of not making a move unless it's a good one.

But you're not going to convince me it's good to do nothing just because "hey, why not give them one more run?"  The Celtics aren't an elite team, and "one more run" is not likely to result in anything but a first round defeat.

And you're not going to convince me that there's a move to be made that significantly increases our chances at a title this season.  If that's the case, then let's keep the gang together and enjoy this team.

At least, I'm enjoying them.  And, I do happen to think that this team will become more focused and more consistent once this pesky trade deadline passes.  Heck, it's stressing me out and I am just a fan.  I don't care how many millions of dollars you make playing with a ball for a living, these guys are still humans, and all the talk of "blowing it up" has surely been difficult to cope with. 

I'm still just hoping to see this team more or less in tact after the Ides of March and seeing what they can do for the rest of the regular season and beyond.

I think this team can have a much better second half of the season than the first half.

Still, I think the best case scenario is that they sneak into the 6th seed and they have an outside shot at winning a first round playoff series.  More likely they get beaten in 5 by the Heat or Bulls the way the Pacers / Sixers were last season.

I don't think there are any moves the Celtics can make to become a contending team this season -- I agree with you there.  However, I'm not convinced there won't be any opportunities to get at least some marginal assets for older players that will be gone this summer and don't have any place on a rebuilding team.  I definitely think that's worth exploring.

Maybe it's wishful thinking on my part, but I just don't expect Danny to start making "rebuilding" moves this season if he isn't convinced it will help the current squad. 

I will reiterate my belief that I think Paul, Rajon, and KG are going to be safe.  Ray is probably the most likely to go, but, still, I don't think Danny will find enough value to replace him.

I'm not saying it's probable, but just think how much fun an early round upset of the Miami Heat would be.  We'll never even know if it's possible if we "blow it up."  If we can't pull it off, then, so be it.  The future is still looking bright for the Boston Celtics.

I watched parts of that Pistons / Cavs series in '09.

No interest in watching that from the perspective of a Pistons fan.

You know what, turn off the TV then.  Just the same as I'll do if they "blow it up".  I have no interest in that.  I want to see one last run at glory, no matter how unlikely it is.

[PosImpos]

You know what, turn off the TV then.  Just the same as I'll do if they "blow it up".  I have no interest in that.  I want to see one last run at glory, no matter how unlikely it is.

Yeah, if the C's draw the Heat or Bulls in the first round I don't expect that I'll watch more than bits and pieces of the 4-5 games they play.

I'll be honest, at this point I'm just eager to see what happens with the team this summer.  I can understand and appreciate why a lot of people here want to see one more run.  I even understand, sort of, why some people want to bring back most of the same group for yet another run next season.  They love this team and they would rather hold out hope that the magic from '08 (and '10, to a lesser extent) can come back again rather than see the team get rebuilt from the ground up again.  A big part of that is lasting distaste for rebuilding stemming from the 10-15 years prior to the Big 3 era.  I get that.

I don't feel that way, though.  I feel like we've seen everything there is to be seen with this group, and the best days are behind us.  Much of that was awesome, but now what's left is more frustrating than great.  I'm excited for the next era, if only to see something new and have the hope that this team will grow into one of the very best again.

But to each his own.

[KGs Knee]

You know what, turn off the TV then.  Just the same as I'll do if they "blow it up".  I have no interest in that.  I want to see one last run at glory, no matter how unlikely it is.

Yeah, if the C's draw the Heat or Bulls in the first round I don't expect that I'll watch more than bits and pieces of the 4-5 games they play.

I'll be honest, at this point I'm just eager to see what happens with the team this summer.  I can understand and appreciate why a lot of people here want to see one more run.  I even understand, sort of, why some people want to bring back most of the same group for yet another run next season.  They love this team and they would rather hold out hope that the magic from '08 (and '10, to a lesser extent) can come back again rather than see the team get rebuilt from the ground up again.  A big part of that is lasting distaste for rebuilding stemming from the 10-15 years prior to the Big 3 era.  I get that.

I don't feel that way, though.  I feel like we've seen everything there is to be seen with this group, and the best days are behind us.  Much of that was awesome, but now what's left is more frustrating than great.  I'm excited for the next era, if only to see something new and have the hope that this team will grow into one of the very best again.

But to each his own.

I'll agree with you on one point.  After this season, no, I do not want to bring the band back (unless of course it happens to also include Dwight).

[dlpin]

I hope the celtics stick with this group for the season (unless Howard is available for trading).

Why? The NBA is a superstar league. You compete by having a superstar. Our best chance of landing one is:
1- Howard and Williams this summer
2- Failing that, using our cap space to acquire draft picks from other teams. With a bad team plus other picks we are bound to land someone (call this the OKC model).

I don't understand this thinking that somehow borderline all stars like Josh Smith or older stars like Gasol are the way to go. Josh Smith is the 3rd best player on a team that thinks that success is winning 2 games in the second round. Gasol can't carry a team with Kobe and Bynum alongside him much less one centered around an aging Pierce and Brandon Bass. Getting these guys, or doing some of these other rumored trades, are great ways to become the next atlanta hawks, thinking that success is not getting swept in the second round.


So let the contracts expire, go after Howard, and if that fails, take our lumps for a few years and try our luck in the draft.

[chambers]

I'll be honest, at this point I'm just eager to see what happens with the team this summer.

I don't think much is going to happen for us this summer.
Other than Williams and Dwight, there's nothing out there.
Hopefully we can move Pierce on draft night for a better pick.

As Mark Cuban pointed out recently, the value of the free agents left over after Williams and Howard will probably be dramatically over the top. The best thing to do is nurse our cap space until the best opportunity comes along for the C's.


This isn't directly related to players being over valued in a tight market, but I found a snippet here where Cuban talks about waiting.
“So, Deron Williams, Dwight Howard, all these guys that people talk about are out there, but that might not be the best decision for us. It may be better for us to pay our existing guys, keep our existing guys. It may be better for us to wait another year, because in the third year of the CBA, the new tax kicks in with the big escalators and then that pushes down the price of players, so we might be in a better position waiting for Year 3 or Year 4, just depending on what it is, to go out and get that complement to Dirk or the next Dirk, whatever it may be.”

I am eager to see what happens but in reality I doubt a whole lot happens. Which is probably a good thing and means it's unlikely we make the play offs an we are closer to lottery glory. I just wish it was this year that we were in the running for Anthony Davis.
I guess next year we would have a shot at getting Gilchrist or Nerlens Noel if we are bottom 6.

[greenlion]

i see something happening but not as dramatic as many perceive it to be..i suggest the "blow-it-up" theorists could puff a little more from your pipes, ain't gonna happen..nothing out there to even compensate our need, a big man is what we need, that is what's gonna be counted upon, but definitely not at the expense of any of our fab four..

[bostonpatriot]

I will reiterate my belief that I think Paul, Rajon, and KG are going to be safe.  Ray is probably the most likely to go, but, still, I don't think Danny will find enough value to replace him.

I'm not saying it's probable, but just think how much fun an early round upset of the Miami Heat would be.  We'll never even know if it's possible if we "blow it up."  If we can't pull it off, then, so be it.  The future is still looking bright for the Boston Celtics.

What's your plan for the off-season? Sign Garnett and Ray Allen to extensions, use the MLE in a veteran center, add Jeff Green and give it another go? 

[Tgro]

Unless we can pull off something earth-shattering by the trade deadline which I highly doubt, I'm fine letting this season play out with this band of guys no matter what the outcome. How can we lose? Not make the playoffs? Okay, Lottery bound. 1st round exit? You guys told us so. 2nd round exit? What most consider the best we can possibly be. Anything beyond, would be beyond expectations. We really don't have much lose at this point. The end of the season is only a couple of months away. We're looking at this group of guys playing together as starters for the last times.

After this season, I am for us blowing up the lineup (maybe not the team) and starting with a fresh starting lineup of guys (note, I'd gladly have some of our big 4 coming off the bench).

It seems impossible/improbable that this team can flip the switch like in '10, but I'm not counting it out yet either. For the most part, we've remained major injury free. If we aren't playing back to backs we play pretty well. At times I can see just how awesome this team can be when they put it all together and at other times just how dreadful they can be when they don't bring their "A" game. This team seems relatively uninterested in the regular season. Who knows, this may all be a big practice session for the playoffs. I think with days off during the playoffs and a coming together lets go out our way kind of effort, these guys could still be exciting come the playoffs. I haven't given up on these guys yet. Yes, its unlikely, but however it ends....we really can't be disappointed. I'm for sending these guys off with a salute and cheering on anything they accomplish.

[CelticG1]

You know what, turn off the TV then.  Just the same as I'll do if they "blow it up".  I have no interest in that.  I want to see one last run at glory, no matter how unlikely it is.

Yeah, if the C's draw the Heat or Bulls in the first round I don't expect that I'll watch more than bits and pieces of the 4-5 games they play.

I'll be honest, at this point I'm just eager to see what happens with the team this summer.  I can understand and appreciate why a lot of people here want to see one more run.  I even understand, sort of, why some people want to bring back most of the same group for yet another run next season.  They love this team and they would rather hold out hope that the magic from '08 (and '10, to a lesser extent) can come back again rather than see the team get rebuilt from the ground up again.  A big part of that is lasting distaste for rebuilding stemming from the 10-15 years prior to the Big 3 era.  I get that.

I don't feel that way, though.  I feel like we've seen everything there is to be seen with this group, and the best days are behind us.  Much of that was awesome, but now what's left is more frustrating than great.  I'm excited for the next era, if only to see something new and have the hope that this team will grow into one of the very best again.

But to each his own.

I just find this so bizarre. So in the next few years if we make the playoffs and are a lower seed that will most likely go out in the first round you wont watch the team? Or are you sick of the Big 33 and if there are new players you will watch?

Do they need to be title contenders in order for.you to watch them in the playoffs? It pretty much sounds like that's what you are saying, what's the point of watching unless they have a good chance of winning the title?

I just don't get it unless you particularly don't like the individuals currently on the team

[vinnie]

There's always a reason thy are not playing well. They aren't in shape due to the lockout. They have a lot of new players who dont low each other. They can't focus because of the trade deadline. And so on. Bottom line -- this is the end of the line and the team just isn't that good.