What Has Danny Done?

[Boris Badenov]

A lot of back tracking going on around here.  All of a sudden, there seem to be a lot of folks who are just now realizing that having this team stay competitive this season is good not just for this season, but for the future as well.

Some of us have been singing this tune for a while. 

Welcome aboard, folks!

Not sure who you're calling out here, but there's a difference between enjoying the team's current run of success and saying we'll be better off for it in the future. Right?

I read a lot of the comments above as being very simply about the first thing - enjoying how the team has played for the past few games - rather than any grand statements about what our (very small-sample) run says about the future.

I for one prefer to enjoy the team's success right now without resorting to the same tired debates we've been having for months. Not to mention, it's a little early for I-told-you-so's in either direction.

I'm enjoying the team's play so far and I'll leave it at that.

[Celtics18]

A lot of back tracking going on around here.  All of a sudden, there seem to be a lot of folks who are just now realizing that having this team stay competitive this season is good not just for this season, but for the future as well.

Some of us have been singing this tune for a while. 

Welcome aboard, folks!

Not sure who you're calling out here, but there's a difference between enjoying the team's current run of success and saying we'll be better off for it in the future. Right?

I read a lot of the comments above as being very simply about the first thing - enjoying how the team has played for the past few games - rather than any grand statements about what our (very small-sample) run says about the future.

I for one prefer to enjoy the team's success right now without resorting to the same tired debates we've been having for months. Not to mention, it's a little early for I-told-you-so's in either direction.

I'm enjoying the team's play so far and I'll leave it at that.

You're right, it's too early for I-told-you-sos.  I'll retract mine and save it for later. 

[LarBrd33]

I think from Danny's perspective, our early record doesn't change his main objectives and priorities.  Win or lose, he probably headed into this season looking to develop the youngs, showcase the overpaid vets (Wallace, Bass, Lee) and ship them out for expiring contracts as the earliest chance... and I'm sure he'd prefer to see the team land a Top 7 pick.

Our ceiling is probably 35 wins.  Even if Sully and Oly continue to impress, neither of those guys are franchise players.  I listened to an interview with Chad Ford yesterday and he claimed that There's 5-7 guys in this draft who should make multiple all-star teams barring injury.  I think Danny had that in mind when he shipped out PIerce and KG for future considerations.  I'm sure he's fine with the wins for now... it makes guys like Bass and Lee tradeable.  But I think he keeps pushing on with his main objectives. 

[LarBrd33]

A lot of back tracking going on around here.  All of a sudden, there seem to be a lot of folks who are just now realizing that having this team stay competitive this season is good not just for this season, but for the future as well.

Some of us have been singing this tune for a while. 

Welcome aboard, folks!

Not sure who you're calling out here, but there's a difference between enjoying the team's current run of success and saying we'll be better off for it in the future. Right?

I read a lot of the comments above as being very simply about the first thing - enjoying how the team has played for the past few games - rather than any grand statements about what our (very small-sample) run says about the future.

I for one prefer to enjoy the team's success right now without resorting to the same tired debates we've been having for months. Not to mention, it's a little early for I-told-you-so's in either direction.

I'm enjoying the team's play so far and I'll leave it at that.

You're right, it's too early for I-told-you-sos.  I'll retract mine and save it for later.

listen to this brief interview with Chad Ford:  http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/63972/chad-ford-this-draft-worth-tanking-for

If he's right and a top 5 pick is a lock for a star... do you really think that winning 35 games this season is best for our long-term future?

We won 36 Pitino's first season.  How'd that do for our long-term success?... It took us a full decade until we were a 50 win team. 

I'm having a lot of fun watching these kids play right now.  I'm a Celtic fan.  It's impossible for me to not enjoy this.  But I'd still prefer we land a top 8 pick in this draft... and I'm pretty sure Ainge would as well.  Good news is that our lack of talent will probably catch up with us eventually.   

[ScoobyDoo]

I love that we are winning some games, but I still the the best possible scenario for this team long term would be:

1. Core young guys compete hard all year and grow exponentially throughout the year.

2. We still get a top five lottery pick

3. Brooklyn and Atlanta nose dive so they we also get a mid first round pick out of one of that scenario, something in the 15 to 18 range.

4. Rondo comes back healthy late this season or next season

5. Celtics team with Rondo and all the young guys a year more experienced makes the playoffs next year.

6. We get two more mid first round draft picks in 2015

7. We use considerable cap in the summer of 2015, sign a max contract guy

8. Use mid level on the right veteran


9. Compete for a title in the 2015/2016 season

I think most to the above is possible, except for getting the high lottery pick this year.

Getting the high lottery pick this year would require us having a mediocre coach to guide us to that.

I think what we are going to find out is that Brad Stevens will quickly become an extraordinary NBA coach who will always get way more out of his team than expected.

It is very early, but my early returns say this guy is more Phil Jackson, Red Auerbach material as a ceiling as a coach.

He most likely will never win as many titles as either - but I think his "talent" as a coach may be as unique as theirs. He's not afraid to leave rookies in at the end of a game or just keep playing anyone who is "on' as long as they stay "on". Phil Jackson was great at doing that.

Danny knew what he was doing when he hired this guy. I haven't seen a Celtics team as dialed in and confident as these kids are playing, win or lose, in a while.   

This is going to be a very fun next 1-2 seasons 

   

[Celtics18]

A lot of back tracking going on around here.  All of a sudden, there seem to be a lot of folks who are just now realizing that having this team stay competitive this season is good not just for this season, but for the future as well.

Some of us have been singing this tune for a while. 

Welcome aboard, folks!

Not sure who you're calling out here, but there's a difference between enjoying the team's current run of success and saying we'll be better off for it in the future. Right?

I read a lot of the comments above as being very simply about the first thing - enjoying how the team has played for the past few games - rather than any grand statements about what our (very small-sample) run says about the future.

I for one prefer to enjoy the team's success right now without resorting to the same tired debates we've been having for months. Not to mention, it's a little early for I-told-you-so's in either direction.

I'm enjoying the team's play so far and I'll leave it at that.

You're right, it's too early for I-told-you-sos.  I'll retract mine and save it for later.

listen to this brief interview with Chad Ford:  http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/63972/chad-ford-this-draft-worth-tanking-for

If he's right and a top 5 pick is a lock for a star... do you really think that winning 35 games this season is best for our long-term future?

We won 36 Pitino's first season.  How'd that do for our long-term success?... It took us a full decade until we were a 50 win team. 

I'm having a lot of fun watching these kids play right now.  I'm a Celtic fan.  It's impossible for me to not enjoy this.  But I'd still prefer we land a top 8 pick in this draft... and I'm pretty sure Ainge would as well.  Good news is that our lack of talent will probably catch up with us eventually.   

I do think that winning 35 or more games this season is better for our long term success than winning 20 or less.  For that to be the case, it will most likely mean that some of our young guys are developing at a faster pace and showing more promise than many were expecting.  For example, I don't think people would be as excited about Sully and Klynyk as they are right now if they were putting up the exact same numbers as they have been, but the team was 0 and 8. 

Everybody would be saying they are losers who will never have any real value.  We win a few games in a row, and all of a sudden our future looks much brighter . . . with no tanking. 

[LooseCannon]

If he's right and a top 5 pick is a lock for a star... do you really think that winning 35 games this season is best for our long-term future?

I believe that winning 20 games this season means that all the young players suck and will never be good starters in this league, so I'd rather have a team good enough to come close to making the playoffs as a solid foundation to build upon rather than a top 5 pick and a bunch of dead weight.

[LarBrd33]

If he's right and a top 5 pick is a lock for a star... do you really think that winning 35 games this season is best for our long-term future?

I believe that winning 20 games this season means that all the young players suck and will never be good starters in this league, so I'd rather have a team good enough to come close to making the playoffs as a solid foundation to build upon rather than a top 5 pick and a bunch of dead weight.

I hear what you're saying.  It's a fair point.  You're suggesting that if we win a mere 20 games, it means that Sully and Oly probably played like garbage.  Whereas if we win 35, it means those guys exceeded expectations for 21/22 year olds.  Interesting thought. 

I think that's why I feel a lot better about wins where Sully/Oly/Bradley are the main contributors vs wins where the mediocre vets are the main contributors.  It gives you hope for the future... "How good can Sully and Oly get?!"

I don't know if I completely agree, though.  Rondo and Perk showed good potential the year we tanked in 07.  You could see talent there.  They contributed to a champion the next year.  Losing didn't stick with them...

[Celtics18]

If he's right and a top 5 pick is a lock for a star... do you really think that winning 35 games this season is best for our long-term future?

I believe that winning 20 games this season means that all the young players suck and will never be good starters in this league, so I'd rather have a team good enough to come close to making the playoffs as a solid foundation to build upon rather than a top 5 pick and a bunch of dead weight.

I hear what you're saying.  It's a fair point.  You're suggesting that if we win a mere 20 games, it means that Sully and Oly probably played like garbage.  Whereas if we win 35, it means those guys exceeded expectations for 21/22 year olds.  Interesting thought. 

It gives you hope for the future... "How good can Sully and Oly get?!"

Bingo

[LarBrd33]

If he's right and a top 5 pick is a lock for a star... do you really think that winning 35 games this season is best for our long-term future?

I believe that winning 20 games this season means that all the young players suck and will never be good starters in this league, so I'd rather have a team good enough to come close to making the playoffs as a solid foundation to build upon rather than a top 5 pick and a bunch of dead weight.

I hear what you're saying.  It's a fair point.  You're suggesting that if we win a mere 20 games, it means that Sully and Oly probably played like garbage.  Whereas if we win 35, it means those guys exceeded expectations for 21/22 year olds.  Interesting thought. 

I think that's why I feel a lot better about wins where Sully/Oly/Bradley are the main contributors vs wins where the mediocre vets are the main contributors.  It gives you hope for the future... "How good can Sully and Oly get?!"

I don't know if I completely agree, though.  Rondo and Perk showed good potential the year we tanked in 07.  You could see talent there.  They contributed to a champion the next year.  Losing didn't stick with them.

Bingo

Rondo's mediocre rookie stats didn't prevent him from turning into an all-star.  If the scouts are right about this draft, I'd still strongly prefer bottoming out and landing a top 7 pick.  I Know it's fun watching these guys play, but it's like giving a toddler a cookie and saying, "if you wait 20 minutes without eating it, I'll give you a second cookie".  Most of the kids just eat the first cookie.  That explains the anti-tank mentality of a lot of this forum.  I'm happy to hold off on eating the cookie this season if the end result is a birthday cake.

[Celtics18]

If he's right and a top 5 pick is a lock for a star... do you really think that winning 35 games this season is best for our long-term future?

I believe that winning 20 games this season means that all the young players suck and will never be good starters in this league, so I'd rather have a team good enough to come close to making the playoffs as a solid foundation to build upon rather than a top 5 pick and a bunch of dead weight.

I hear what you're saying.  It's a fair point.  You're suggesting that if we win a mere 20 games, it means that Sully and Oly probably played like garbage.  Whereas if we win 35, it means those guys exceeded expectations for 21/22 year olds.  Interesting thought. 

I think that's why I feel a lot better about wins where Sully/Oly/Bradley are the main contributors vs wins where the mediocre vets are the main contributors.  It gives you hope for the future... "How good can Sully and Oly get?!"

I don't know if I completely agree, though.  Rondo and Perk showed good potential the year we tanked in 07.  You could see talent there.  They contributed to a champion the next year.  Losing didn't stick with them.

Bingo

Rondo's mediocre rookie stats didn't prevent him from turning into an all-star.  If the scouts are right about this draft, I'd still strongly prefer bottoming out and landing a top 7 pick.  I Know it's fun watching these guys play, but it's like giving a toddler a cookie and saying, "if you wait 20 minutes without eating it, I'll give you a second cookie".  Most of the kids just eat the first cookie.  That explains the anti-tank mentality of a lot of this forum.

You won't be able to stop Jared Sullinger (particularly Sully), Kelly Olynyk, Avery Bradley, Jordan Crawford, and Vitor Faverani from going after that cookie.

I doesn't really matter what I'm rooting for. 

[LarBrd33]

If he's right and a top 5 pick is a lock for a star... do you really think that winning 35 games this season is best for our long-term future?

I believe that winning 20 games this season means that all the young players suck and will never be good starters in this league, so I'd rather have a team good enough to come close to making the playoffs as a solid foundation to build upon rather than a top 5 pick and a bunch of dead weight.

I hear what you're saying.  It's a fair point.  You're suggesting that if we win a mere 20 games, it means that Sully and Oly probably played like garbage.  Whereas if we win 35, it means those guys exceeded expectations for 21/22 year olds.  Interesting thought. 

I think that's why I feel a lot better about wins where Sully/Oly/Bradley are the main contributors vs wins where the mediocre vets are the main contributors.  It gives you hope for the future... "How good can Sully and Oly get?!"

I don't know if I completely agree, though.  Rondo and Perk showed good potential the year we tanked in 07.  You could see talent there.  They contributed to a champion the next year.  Losing didn't stick with them.

Bingo

Rondo's mediocre rookie stats didn't prevent him from turning into an all-star.  If the scouts are right about this draft, I'd still strongly prefer bottoming out and landing a top 7 pick.  I Know it's fun watching these guys play, but it's like giving a toddler a cookie and saying, "if you wait 20 minutes without eating it, I'll give you a second cookie".  Most of the kids just eat the first cookie.  That explains the anti-tank mentality of a lot of this forum.

You won't be able to stop Jared Sullinger (particularly Sully), Kelly Olynyk, Avery Bradley, Jordan Crawford, and Vitor Faverani from going after that cookie.

I doesn't really matter what I'm rooting for.

yeah luckily Sullinger/Oly/Bradley/Crawford and Fav are still probably going to win you about 25 games.  Suns and 76ers probably aren't making the playoffs this year either despite their hot starts.

[Celtics18]

If he's right and a top 5 pick is a lock for a star... do you really think that winning 35 games this season is best for our long-term future?

I believe that winning 20 games this season means that all the young players suck and will never be good starters in this league, so I'd rather have a team good enough to come close to making the playoffs as a solid foundation to build upon rather than a top 5 pick and a bunch of dead weight.

I hear what you're saying.  It's a fair point.  You're suggesting that if we win a mere 20 games, it means that Sully and Oly probably played like garbage.  Whereas if we win 35, it means those guys exceeded expectations for 21/22 year olds.  Interesting thought. 

I think that's why I feel a lot better about wins where Sully/Oly/Bradley are the main contributors vs wins where the mediocre vets are the main contributors.  It gives you hope for the future... "How good can Sully and Oly get?!"

I don't know if I completely agree, though.  Rondo and Perk showed good potential the year we tanked in 07.  You could see talent there.  They contributed to a champion the next year.  Losing didn't stick with them.

Bingo

Rondo's mediocre rookie stats didn't prevent him from turning into an all-star.  If the scouts are right about this draft, I'd still strongly prefer bottoming out and landing a top 7 pick.  I Know it's fun watching these guys play, but it's like giving a toddler a cookie and saying, "if you wait 20 minutes without eating it, I'll give you a second cookie".  Most of the kids just eat the first cookie.  That explains the anti-tank mentality of a lot of this forum.

You won't be able to stop Jared Sullinger (particularly Sully), Kelly Olynyk, Avery Bradley, Jordan Crawford, and Vitor Faverani from going after that cookie.

I doesn't really matter what I'm rooting for.

yeah luckily Sullinger/Oly/Bradley/Crawford and Fav are still probably going to win you about 25 games.  Suns and 76ers probably aren't making the playoffs this year either.

So far--and I know it's very, very early--they are showing they can stay in the hunt (with some help from the veterans).  When Rondo returns, I expect this team to get better.  I am still seeing one of the last playoff spots as a very strong possibility for this Celtics team. 

And, yes, the young kids will need to play well for that to happen.  When they continue to play well, our future automatically looks much brighter.

No tank needed. 

Edit:

And it's not just the kids.  We benefit from having our veterans play well also.  Jeff, Brandon, Courtney, and even "the Nets castoffs" can all help improve our future outlook by playing well while helping this team win games this season. 

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

If we win i will enjoy it. If we lose in the long run and we get a top 5 pick i will enjoy that as well. win-win scenario

[LarBrd33]

If we win i will enjoy it. If we lose in the long run and we get a top 5 pick i will enjoy that as well. win-win scenario

Completely agree.  It's a win/win scenario...

until you're a 35 win team again next year... and the year after that... and the year after that...  and teams are building contenders out of Wiggins, Randle, Parker, Exum, Smart, etc...  Then you'll start to regret our missed tank opportunity.  Lol.

I have this vision of us having a feel-good season where we sneak into the playoffs.   The Lakers draft Wiggins and build a dynasty around him.  We toil away in perpetual mediocrity.  But hey at least we played 5 playoff games back in 2013-14. At least there was that.