We really are tanking

[indeedproceed]

I'm totally cool with a tank-job.  I'm glad we're doing it.  It's the right move.

No, it's not.

Tanking was the right move.  Ainge made a smart decision to tank this season.  There was no sense in milking another 41 win season out of KG, Pierce and Rondo.  Especially with this huge draft class coming up.  Trading KG and Pierce for a boatload of draft picks was a heist.  Throwing the season was a bitter pill to swallow, but it was absolutely the right move for this organization's long-term future.  I'm fully in support of it.  I have no gripes about Ainge having tanked this season.  I would have traded those guys over a year ago and tanked last season if given the option.

I agree, for the most part. But of all the tank jobs going on right now, I hate ours the most. Philadelphia, Orlando, Phoenix, those teams are tanking, and there is no mistake there.

Are we even sure that Philly is tanking right now? I mean, they are leading the division.

Oh they're tanking. They're just lucky real early. Miami on the second night of a B2B without Wade, Washington without Nene, and their fresh legs both times got some good early returns, but they will look like who they are soon enough.

[LarBrd33]

I'm totally cool with a tank-job.  I'm glad we're doing it.  It's the right move.

No, it's not.

Tanking was the right move.  Ainge made a smart decision to tank this season.  There was no sense in milking another 41 win season out of KG, Pierce and Rondo.  Especially with this huge draft class coming up.  Trading KG and Pierce for a boatload of draft picks was a heist.  Throwing the season was a bitter pill to swallow, but it was absolutely the right move for this organization's long-term future.  I'm fully in support of it.  I have no gripes about Ainge having tanked this season.  I would have traded those guys over a year ago and tanked last season if given the option.

I agree, for the most part. But of all the tank jobs going on right now, I hate ours the most. Philadelphia, Orlando, Phoenix, those teams are tanking, and there is no mistake there. But their guys looked like they were an actual team that wanted to be there, I've watched all 3 of Orlando's games this season, and in the games they lost, they still held their head high, and left it on the floor. They lost, but there wasn't any shame associated with it.

But watching these Cs is giving me agita. They look so...ugly. Like they're faking being a NBA team. Jeff Green sulks between highlight plays, Sullinger looks...well terrible. Olynyk gives me a little hope bouncing around out there, but meh. Everyone else aside from old man Wallace looks like they're just collecting a paycheck.

It's gross. A bitter pill indeed.

Do you think Green is unhappy?  My girlfriend watched the first game with us and kept pointing out that Green had poor body language.  As early as the very first huddle she's like "What's with that guy... everyone else is huddled around the coach paying attention and he's off to the side with his eyes looking elsewhere."

[D.o.s.]

I'm totally cool with a tank-job.  I'm glad we're doing it.  It's the right move.

No, it's not.

Tanking was the right move.  Ainge made a smart decision to tank this season.  There was no sense in milking another 41 win season out of KG, Pierce and Rondo.  Especially with this huge draft class coming up.  Trading KG and Pierce for a boatload of draft picks was a heist.  Throwing the season was a bitter pill to swallow, but it was absolutely the right move for this organization's long-term future.  I'm fully in support of it.  I have no gripes about Ainge having tanked this season.  I would have traded those guys over a year ago and tanked last season if given the option.

I agree, for the most part. But of all the tank jobs going on right now, I hate ours the most. Philadelphia, Orlando, Phoenix, those teams are tanking, and there is no mistake there.

Are we even sure that Philly is tanking right now? I mean, they are leading the division.

Oh they're tanking. They're just lucky real early. Miami on the second night of a B2B without Wade, Washington without Nene, and their fresh legs both times got some good early returns, but they will look like who they are soon enough.

Nene's already missing games? Wow.

[coco]

Agreed.  Playing Lee and Bass more than 20 mins is the tell.   Yep, we are tanking.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Agreed.  Playing Lee and Bass more than 20 mins is the tell.   Yep, we are tanking.

Who do we play instead of Bass then? I think if we really are tanking we should sit him, because he looks like he's trying to win us some games there.

Lee is just terrible.

[LarBrd33]

I'm totally cool with a tank-job.  I'm glad we're doing it.  It's the right move.

No, it's not.

Tanking was the right move.  Ainge made a smart decision to tank this season.  There was no sense in milking another 41 win season out of KG, Pierce and Rondo.  Especially with this huge draft class coming up.  Trading KG and Pierce for a boatload of draft picks was a heist.  Throwing the season was a bitter pill to swallow, but it was absolutely the right move for this organization's long-term future.  I'm fully in support of it.  I have no gripes about Ainge having tanked this season.  I would have traded those guys over a year ago and tanked last season if given the option.

I agree, for the most part. But of all the tank jobs going on right now, I hate ours the most. Philadelphia, Orlando, Phoenix, those teams are tanking, and there is no mistake there.

Are we even sure that Philly is tanking right now? I mean, they are leading the division.

Oh they're tanking. They're just lucky real early. Miami on the second night of a B2B without Wade, Washington without Nene, and their fresh legs both times got some good early returns, but they will look like who they are soon enough.

My definition of tanking differs from some people.  That's why I use the past-tense. 

Yes, Boston already tanked the season.  They traded their two best guys for future considerations.  Ok, not their two best, but definitely the epicenter of their defense and their star offensive player.  Check out Brooklyn tonight... the old dogs still can carry a team past the Heat.   The damage is done.  We tanked.  There's not going to be any major trades to improve this team dramatically this year... that'd be counterproductive to the entire point of dumping KG/Pierce for future considerations.

Same with Philly.  They traded their star guard for a rookie who likely will not even play this year.  They absolutely already tanked the season.

In both instances, the players and coaches will still give it their all.  Boston will win some games.  Philly will win some games.  But those teams ARE SET UP TO FAIL.

I get that some people think "tanking" means intentionally losing games.  That's not going to happen until maybe the final week of the season.  Tanking already happened.  The season is tanked.  Embrace the tank.   When Philly/Boston is battling it out int he playoffs in 5 years with their superstar youngsters, you'll be glad Danny tanked this season for us. 

[indeedproceed]

I'm totally cool with a tank-job.  I'm glad we're doing it.  It's the right move.

No, it's not.

Tanking was the right move.  Ainge made a smart decision to tank this season.  There was no sense in milking another 41 win season out of KG, Pierce and Rondo.  Especially with this huge draft class coming up.  Trading KG and Pierce for a boatload of draft picks was a heist.  Throwing the season was a bitter pill to swallow, but it was absolutely the right move for this organization's long-term future.  I'm fully in support of it.  I have no gripes about Ainge having tanked this season.  I would have traded those guys over a year ago and tanked last season if given the option.

I agree, for the most part. But of all the tank jobs going on right now, I hate ours the most. Philadelphia, Orlando, Phoenix, those teams are tanking, and there is no mistake there. But their guys looked like they were an actual team that wanted to be there, I've watched all 3 of Orlando's games this season, and in the games they lost, they still held their head high, and left it on the floor. They lost, but there wasn't any shame associated with it.

But watching these Cs is giving me agita. They look so...ugly. Like they're faking being a NBA team. Jeff Green sulks between highlight plays, Sullinger looks...well terrible. Olynyk gives me a little hope bouncing around out there, but meh. Everyone else aside from old man Wallace looks like they're just collecting a paycheck.

It's gross. A bitter pill indeed.

Do you think Green is unhappy?  My girlfriend watched the first game with us and kept pointing out that Green had poor body language.  As early as the very first huddle she's like "What's with that guy... everyone else is huddled around the coach paying attention and he's off to the side with his eyes looking elsewhere."

I think it's just who he is. Without someone demanding more of him, without stakes or accountability, he treads water. He does 'enough' but doesn't care about doing more. That's speculation, I've never met him or anything but it's how he comes off.

He seems like he endures games, like they're something to get through.

[D.o.s.]

I'm totally cool with a tank-job.  I'm glad we're doing it.  It's the right move.

No, it's not.

Tanking was the right move.  Ainge made a smart decision to tank this season.  There was no sense in milking another 41 win season out of KG, Pierce and Rondo.  Especially with this huge draft class coming up.  Trading KG and Pierce for a boatload of draft picks was a heist.  Throwing the season was a bitter pill to swallow, but it was absolutely the right move for this organization's long-term future.  I'm fully in support of it.  I have no gripes about Ainge having tanked this season.  I would have traded those guys over a year ago and tanked last season if given the option.

I agree, for the most part. But of all the tank jobs going on right now, I hate ours the most. Philadelphia, Orlando, Phoenix, those teams are tanking, and there is no mistake there.

Are we even sure that Philly is tanking right now? I mean, they are leading the division.

Oh they're tanking. They're just lucky real early. Miami on the second night of a B2B without Wade, Washington without Nene, and their fresh legs both times got some good early returns, but they will look like who they are soon enough.

My definition of tanking differs from some people.  That's why I use the past-tense. 

Yes, Boston already tanked the season.  They traded their two best guys for future considerations.  Ok, not their two best, but definitely the epicenter of their defense and their star offensive player.  Check out Brooklyn tonight... the old dogs still can carry a team past the Heat.   The damage is done.  We tanked.  There's not going to be any major trades to improve this team dramatically this year... that'd be counterproductive to the entire point of dumping KG/Pierce for future considerations.

Same with Philly.  They traded their star guard for a rookie who likely will not even play this year.  They absolutely already tanked the season.

In both instances, the players and coaches will still give it their all.  Boston will win some games.  Philly will win some games.  But those teams ARE SET UP TO FAIL.

I get that some people think "tanking" means intentionally losing games.  That's not going to happen until maybe the final week of the season.  Tanking already happened.  The season is tanked.  Embrace the tank.   When Philly/Boston is battling it out int he playoffs in 5 years with their superstar youngsters, you'll be glad Danny tanked this season for us.

Solid definition. We don't have any reason to intentionally lose games ala the Warriors trying to protect the Barnes pick.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Bottom line... Ainge tanked this season the second he traded our best defensive player and best offensive player for future considerations.  I came to grips with the tank-job months ago.  I'm sorry that some folks are just now realizing the obvious.  If this mismatched group of role players manages to win 30 games, it's a massive over-achievement. 

It'll sting for a few months, but long-term you're gonna love how this turns out.  Let this group of scrubs putter away to a 24 win season, get that top 8 pick... and then start building a competent team.   No brainer.

The team is not good enough to win, period. A lot if not everyone of the fans know that. Getting 24 wins is no surprise with the current squad.

What stings is being happy and excited about losing.

I guess it's really just me. But jeez, I can accept losing and accept the fact that we are not good enough but there's a silver lining into all of this. But I don't think I can root for my team to lose, and be happy and excited when they do. It feels cheap.

[coco]

Agreed.  Playing Lee and Bass more than 20 mins is the tell.   Yep, we are tanking.

Who do we play instead of Bass then? I think if we really are tanking we should sit him, because he looks like he's trying to win us some games there.

Lee is just terrible.

I don't think Lee plays team ball.  And as for Bass, even thou he is playing better than ever,  he is so one-dimensional that even when he is having a good game it almost feels like the team doesn't benefit from it..... It's jut weird.  Or maybe it's just me.

[Surferdad]

Bottom line... Ainge tanked this season the second he traded our best defensive player and best offensive player for future considerations.  I came to grips with the tank-job months ago.  I'm sorry that some folks are just now realizing the obvious.  If this mismatched group of role players manages to win 30 games, it's a massive over-achievement. 

It'll sting for a few months, but long-term you're gonna love how this turns out.  Let this group of scrubs putter away to a 24 win season, get that top 8 pick... and then start building a competent team.   No brainer.

The team is not good enough to win, period. A lot if not everyone of the fans know that. Getting 24 wins is no surprise with the current squad.

What stings is being happy and excited about losing.

I guess it's really just me. But jeez, I can accept losing and accept the fact that we are not good enough but there's a silver lining into all of this. But I don't think I can root for my team to lose, and be happy and excited when they do. It feels cheap.

This comes back to the definition of tanking.  It is NOT trying to lose a la ML Carr days.  It is Ainge who is tanking, not the players or coach.  Please feel free to root for the Celtics to win, they will not. 

[Celtics18]

I'm not buying it.  This team has got the talent to be in contention for a playoff spot by the end of the season.

I still think we'll end up winning at least 35 games. 

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Agreed.  Playing Lee and Bass more than 20 mins is the tell.   Yep, we are tanking.

Who do we play instead of Bass then? I think if we really are tanking we should sit him, because he looks like he's trying to win us some games there.

Lee is just terrible.

I don't think Lee plays team ball.  And as for Bass, even thou he is playing better than ever,  he is so one-dimensional that even when he is having a good game it almost feels like the team doesn't benefit from it..... It's jut weird.  Or maybe it's just me.

But the effort is there, and could not ask for more (well maybe a bit more on defense).

He, Wallace and Vitor are the only guys worthy of starting and chunks of minutes.

Green scored but man he probably sleepwalked for several minutes during the last game.

Courtney Lee just completely regressed. Not only that, he doesn't seem to fit.

[Celtics18]

Bottom line... Ainge tanked this season the second he traded our best defensive player and best offensive player for future considerations.  I came to grips with the tank-job months ago.  I'm sorry that some folks are just now realizing the obvious.  If this mismatched group of role players manages to win 30 games, it's a massive over-achievement. 

It'll sting for a few months, but long-term you're gonna love how this turns out.  Let this group of scrubs putter away to a 24 win season, get that top 8 pick... and then start building a competent team.   No brainer.

The team is not good enough to win, period. A lot if not everyone of the fans know that. Getting 24 wins is no surprise with the current squad.

What stings is being happy and excited about losing.

I guess it's really just me. But jeez, I can accept losing and accept the fact that we are not good enough but there's a silver lining into all of this. But I don't think I can root for my team to lose, and be happy and excited when they do. It feels cheap.

Not everyone knows it. 

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I'm not buying it.  This team has got the talent to be in contention for a playoff spot by the end of the season.

I still think we'll end up winning at least 35 games.

When Rondo comes back, then we'll see. But I agree.


If Green just STOPS being passive and we get Bass, Wallace (sans the last turnover he made) and Vitor to play these kind of games, I think we're a competent team and can sneak in the 8th seed. Heck, I think even without Rondo we could win 30 games with this squad provided.

But right now most of the team are playing terrible. They got to turn it up.