Am I the only one excited for what's to come?

[Kay.Bee09]

I love Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Doc Rivers, but I love the Boston Celtics franchise even more. I'm looking at this situation optimistically and I see arguably the best point guard in the game, a lot of potential in Jeff Green, and so many opportunities if those three leave. We'll have the money to rebuild. Am I the only one who sees a bright future for the Boston Celtics?

I've fooled myself into thinking, for the past two seasons, that Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and, at the time, Ray Allen were going to be able to carry my favorite team to a championship. I didn't want to see them go after witnessing 2008. Finally tasting what a championship felt like after almost a 20 year drought spoiled me, but it's time to move on. I was the last person to have wanted to see one of my favorite players of all time in Kevin Garnett leave, but we're not getting anywhere and at the end of the day, basketball is a team sport. We're not like the Miami Heat or the Los Angeles Lakers. The Boston Celtics pride themselves on team work and were actually the first ones to initiate it in the NBA. We don't allow ourselves to fall flat just because a couple of players are leaving. We should take it with a grain of salt and come back stronger, Boston Strong.

I'm excited for this off-season. Let's be open to change and forever bleed green. If I've witnessed anything in this years Finals it's that the Miami Heat actually can be beaten. They have glaring weaknesses and hopefully Danny Ainge will round up an army to get the job done next season. Let's build something great. It doesn't have to be some star-studded dynasty, just an amazing team that can finally get Banner 18 hung from the rafters of TD Garden.

[LarBrd33]

I'm excited too.  We'll likely have 3-5 years of lotto basketball minimum (upwards of two decades), but we'll be collecting assets and there will be plenty of future Jiri Welsches to compare to Larry Bird. 

[LGC88]

I look forward to see RR, JG and Sully together.
I'm hoping to see nice offensive basketball. I want a break at this Celtics defense. It was a drag seeing them not be able to score.
Fast transition play, that would be nice if we can be a team like Houston last season. It was fun to watch them play.
But for now, it is too early to tell if those 3 players will be healthy and in Boston for the season coming.
Let's see DA plan first.

[LarBrd33]

I look forward to see RR, JG and Sully together.
I'm hoping to see nice offensive basketball. I want a break at this Celtics defense. It was a drag seeing them not be able to score.
Fast transition play, that would be nice if we can be a team like Houston last season. It was fun to watch them play.
But for now, it is too early to tell if those 3 players will be healthy and in Boston for the season coming.
Let's see DA plan first.

No guarantee you'll see that happen next year.  Rondo could sit out the entire season... or Boston could trade him.  We're in tank mode.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Im excited to the Draft already, I am excited to see the new Celtics.

More athletic, more capable of running and gunning but hopefully still the same defensive minded team.

[LGC88]

I look forward to see RR, JG and Sully together.
I'm hoping to see nice offensive basketball. I want a break at this Celtics defense. It was a drag seeing them not be able to score.
Fast transition play, that would be nice if we can be a team like Houston last season. It was fun to watch them play.
But for now, it is too early to tell if those 3 players will be healthy and in Boston for the season coming.
Let's see DA plan first.

No guarantee you'll see that happen next year.  Rondo could sit out the entire season... or Boston could trade him.  We're in tank mode.

We are not in tank mode, we will lose games while looking good on the floor. Scoring 100ppg while losing games is not too hard to accomplish, just be bad on defense.

[raynman]

trade sully for thomas robinson, get a good bacukp pg, draft or sign a good athletic center (or dj if ever the clippers trade pushes thru).. we should just go run and gun to suit rondo and green’s play.. we can keep lee, bass and crawford.. Suns East, anyone? ...
or Plan B : FULL TANK MODE!

[Celtics4ever]

I'm excited too.  We'll likely have 3-5 years of lotto basketball minimum (upwards of two decades), but we'll be collecting assets and there will be plenty of future Jiri Welsches to compare to Larry Bird. 

As opposed to watching PP and KG in five minute spurts, and them getting so old they need walkers on the court.  Now that is a slight exaggeration, KG's game has had less drop off than Paul.   It has been painful to watch PP not be able to make those end of game iso shots that he used to ice with regularity.

How the heck is 3-5 years yield two decades?  Do you mean two decades without a championship.   Because 3-5 years is a third to half a decade where I am from.

[celtics2]

Reality! Was 1 ring worth all this? I think not. Eventually fans and media will reflect on this. We may walk on Mars before becoming a qualified team again.

[SHAQATTACK]

I will always like KG and Paul .  Two of my favorites ever.  Hope they do good if they play on another team....even LA. 

But ,  I think Doc Rivers is a sleazy weasel  and his buddy Ainge is no better.

Most likey they need to be fired and thrown out of the Celtics organization. 

I won't feel comfortable until they are out. and some decent people take charge .

[celticslove]

i'm just excited that the overrated coach will be gone (hopefully). i just wish that our next coach will have patience to play and develop our young guys. sad to see KG and pierce go though.

[freshinthehouse]

Reality! Was 1 ring worth all this? I think not. Eventually fans and media will reflect on this. We may walk on Mars before becoming a qualified team again.

Was it worth it?  Hell yes it was.  What was the other option, build around Rondo, AlJeff, Perk, and Gerald Green?  We'd be lucky to get out of the first round with that core.  You always go for the brass ring when you have a chance.

[chambers]

I'm excited too.  We'll likely have 3-5 years of lotto basketball minimum (upwards of two decades), but we'll be collecting assets and there will be plenty of future Jiri Welsches to compare to Larry Bird.

I don't think we'll take that long. I mean we might not win a ship but we won't suck for 10 straight years. As long as Ainge is at the helm we are fine.

Once Ainge is gone?who knows...

Anyone know who Sam presti's fave team and organisation are?
Starts with a B

[Celtics18]

I'm always excited about the Celtics.  I think we are in much better shape than many are prognosticating.  It'll be interesting to see what kind of team Danny can build around Rondo for the near future.  Rondo, Bradley, Green, and Sully is a good start. 

Whether or not KG, Paul and/or Doc are back next year, I think we have the makings of a playoff team in 2014.  That should always be the goal as far as I'm concerned, whether you are considered as one of the contenders for the title or not.   

[Celtics17]

If things go down as they look, KG, PP and Doc all leaving and Rondo being held out until the team is sure he is healthy, then this team may be pretty good sooner then later. All it takes is good health ( a given for any team to be competitive), a few lucky picks, and landing a big time impact free agent. I think this team can be very good in two seasons!