Accidentally Contending

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

Now its not a likely scenario, nor is it the envisioned one given the assumptions of the roster`s current talent level, but how do you think the Celtics management responds if say 35 games into the season the players overperform their way to a 4th seed on a 22-13 record? And within those 22 wins there`s 1 or 2 shock wins like blowing out Miami in Miami, or an Olynyk triple double against Chicago.

[LooseCannon]

I think Ainge starts looking at some of the underperforming teams to see if they have an older star they are willing to trade for less than he's worth in an effort to tank and rebuild.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

maybe he just rides the team to wherever they end up at the end of the season and works from there?

[PhoSita]

I think that would be rather like the Red Sox having a surprisingly good record this season.  Team management is going to keep perspective.  A good record in the first half of the season doesn't make this squad a contender.

Indeed I think they'd take it as a sign that the talent base we're starting with is better than they thought, which is nice, but nothing more than that.  The goal would still be to develop that foundation and cast off the veterans on long term contracts to increase flexibility for adding to that foundation.

[merkins]

There is only one way I see the C's making the playoffs and it depends entirely on their 2 best players, Rondo and Green.

There is a very small chance that now Rivers and PP moved on that both Rondo and Green (respectively) will flourish.

Looking to our rookies and even second year players to do anything more than fill roles to support the established guys is just not realistic.  If this team is going to contend for a 7-8 seed Rondo will have to improve his ability to make everyone around him better (which he already excels at) and Green will have to become that 25 pp/game guy that some think he has the ability to be.

In other words these two will have to have breakthrough years, I personally dont see it and given the supporting cast there will be no accidental 4 seed.

[oldmanspeaks]

It is easy to imagine the Celtics making the playoffs even with a top Rondo for half a year and it has nothing to do with the Celtics. It has to do with so many mediocre teams. I said in another thread that it was difficult to find 8 top teams in each conference to make the playoffs. Looking at the rosters, you have a whole lot of damaged average and a few super bad teams. The Celtics will draft anywhere from 8 to 16. However the real issue is that if they somehow end up in the playoffs how quickly will they be blown out. I can see them winning no more than one playoff game. In that scenario I would rather have them miss the playoffs.

[JBcat]

If we contend by "accident" that would only improve our players trade value, and potentially add to our core for future.  Won't be an awful thing.  Who knows maybe Sully comes close to being a Kevin Love, Green close to being James Worthy, Bradley close to being Joe Dumars,  KO close to being Dirk, and Rondo is his old self again.  If everyone plays to their highest ceiling you never know.

[Roy H.]

I don't think he does anything.

Back in 2004, this team was pretty bad.  Danny then took on Chucky Atkins' salary in a deal to get a #1 pick, and Atkins helped guide this team to a playoff appearance.  If we'd won three fewer games, we could have ended up with the 7th pick; instead we got the 15th.

Now, there was no Wiggins or Parker in that draft (although D12 and Okafor were both seen as excellent players).  Still, when the team played well, Danny didn't sabotage that.

[PhoSita]

I don't think he does anything.

Back in 2004, this team was pretty bad.  Danny then took on Chucky Atkins' salary in a deal to get a #1 pick, and Atkins helped guide this team to a playoff appearance.  If we'd won three fewer games, we could have ended up with the 7th pick; instead we got the 15th.

Now, there was no Wiggins or Parker in that draft.  Still, when the team played well, Danny didn't sabotage that.

And instead of Luol Deng we got Al Jefferson.  Seems like it worked out pretty well, although Deng might have been worth more than Jefferson down the line.

[lightspeed5]

not happening, olynyk and Kris "DNP-CD" humphries will not win us a championship. We cannot contend without one more star on this team.

[hwangjini_1]

Now its not a likely scenario, nor is it the envisioned one given the assumptions of the roster`s current talent level, but how do you think the Celtics management responds if say 35 games into the season the players overperform their way to a 4th seed on a 22-13 record? And within those 22 wins there`s 1 or 2 shock wins like blowing out Miami in Miami, or an Olynyk triple double against Chicago.

whoa! a bit early to be drinking isnt it? 

this is a nice dream, but only that. but as a couple of posters have said, if the celtics are doing well ainge wont sabotage the team. he will let them win and see what happens.