Would you rather . . .

[Celtics18]

see the Celtics make the playoffs every season for the next five years and get bounced in the first or second round, or see the Celtics miss the playoffs for each of the next five seasons and end up in the lottery?

I pick the former.

Note:  I'm not saying that I believe that these are the only two possible scenarios.  I'm just curious to see what others would choose given these two options. 

[ctrey]

If we ended up in the lottery a few times, this team would end up back on top. I actually think being in the lottery after the 13-14' season would be a good thing. The 2014 draft is already looking like it will be loaded, like the 2003 draft. The best way to rebuild is through the draft. particularly for Boston who is still not a marquee destination for free agents. (I know we are getting better but we are still in the second tier) I would love it to see us snag a top 3 pick. We deserve to see a break after the 2007 and 1997 drafts left us at the alter so to speak.

[Chris]

The options are getting being in the playoffs, or being in the lottery?  That's it?

Definitely the playoffs. 

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

see the Celtics make the playoffs every season for the next five years and get bounced in the first or second round, or see the Celtics miss the playoffs for each of the next five seasons and end up in the lottery?

I pick the former.

Note:  I'm not saying that I believe that these are the only two possible scenarios.  I'm just curious to see what others would choose given these two options.

neither really matters if we are not contending. build for the future. put a plan in place.

[indeedproceed]

Given the two very, very limited options, I choose playoffs.

[CelticG1]

Playoffs although losing in the first round would suck.

Obviously I want chamionships but wow it has been fun watching this team in the playoffs fightimg every year since 08. Some VERY memorable series and performances

[LooseCannon]

It depends on how the roster is constructed.  I'd hate for the Celtics to barely make the playoffs by signing the wrong players to contracts that are too big and too long, who can get the team to a winning record but not a sniff of legitimate contention.

I'd hate it even more if you could trade the entire current roster for the Bobcats roster and ended up in the lottery for the next five seasons because you are in such a hole of lack of talent that it takes a long time to rebuild.

[slamtheking]

It depends on how the roster is constructed.  I'd hate for the Celtics to barely make the playoffs by signing the wrong players to contracts that are too big and too long, who can get the team to a winning record but not a sniff of legitimate contention.

I'd hate it even more if you could trade the entire current roster for the Bobcats roster and ended up in the lottery for the next five seasons because you are in such a hole of lack of talent that it takes a long time to rebuild.

this makes sense.

it's not enough to get a lottery pick.  a team has to get a high lottery pick in a year that has franchise-quality players available for selection.  those players also have to live up to expectations. 

Having the #1 pick doesn't help much if your best option is looking like Bargnani, Kenyon Martin or whoever's taken this year.

Also doesn't help when that player is promising but hurt like Pervis Ellison. Danny Manning, Yao, Oden or Bogut.

That's not including just plain bad picks like Kandiman or Kwame.  Even Joe Smith fits here as a good player but not a #1 quality career.

[dark_lord]

give me mediocrity and playoffs everyday of the week over sucking, having lotto picks, and "hoping" someone pans out.

[PhoSita]

Lottery.  Getting bounced in the first or second round for the next five years doesn't get us anywhere.  We'd be exactly where we are right now, only five years from now.

Whereas 5 years of drafting in the lottery, particularly if we draft well and maybe get a couple of high selections during that time, could put us in a position to get a lot better pretty quickly after that 5 year period.

[JSD]

Lottery. Lottery. Lottery. Lottery. Lottery.

NO BRAINER.

If our pre-destined fate is losing in the playoffs, then we should stack our chances for that sixth year. The lottery offers the possibility of obtaining a franchise altering player.

[LooseCannon]

Lottery.  Getting bounced in the first or second round for the next five years doesn't get us anywhere.  We'd be exactly where we are right now, only five years from now.

Should I put you down as being willing to swap rosters with the Bobcats, if it were permitted?

[ManUp]

Lottery.

Only with one option there's no win.

[CelticG1]

Its tough to judhe given the options.

Its a little tougher to say I'd rather be the Hawks, Bucks or Sixers than a lotto team.

I'm just looking at this Celtics team with KG Pierce etc. They've been extremely fun ober the years and I know I'm getting heart and you know whay in the playoffs.

It may be a little different in a couple years if rondo is barely leading us to the playoffs with scrubs or sonething. Plus guaranteeing losing early in the playoffs is hard to say you'd actually want that. Especially of you are saying that whole 5 years we don't inprove the roster and just continue to lose early.

If you are talking about a run like Pierce and Toine had with ups and downs than I wouldd take that

[Yogi]

1.  The playoffs.  Celtics don't belong in the lottery.  We belong in the playoffs.  If we lose our culture, what's left?  There is a reason KG was signed for the next  years.  We only accept winners here. 

2.  The Celtics have better youth with potential than most lottery teams.  Rondo, Bradley, Green, Sullinger and Melo are better than any 5 players from the Bobcats, Kings, Suns, Magic etc.

3.  I find any scenario hard to imagine where there are eight better teams in the eastern conference than the Celtics even if Paul, KG and Terry all retire today.  As long as Rondo is healthy we are guaranteed at the absolute worst the eighth seed. 

4.  Let's say you get an amazing talent and 4 decent players in the lottery.  Congratulations! you are now the Cleveland Cavaliers.  You need talent, but without the right culture nothing will come of it.