Chris Forsberg: If the Celtics are tanking, they're terrible at it.

[nickagneta]

If the Celtics (4-4) are tanking, they're terrible at it. Boston pushed its win streak to four games and is at .500 for the season. Combined with Philadelphia's loss to the Spurs, Boston is now tied with the 76ers atop the Atlantic Division. We'll say it again: This team is a lot of fun to watch. It remains to be seen if they can maintain this sort of competitiveness, but they've given themselves a chance to win every time out and are improving with each game.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4708196/rapid-reaction-celtics-120-magic-105

He's right.

Danny said they would not be tanking. Stevens said they would not be tanking. The players to a man have said they would not be tanking.

The team has been competitive all season, have gotten better with each game they play and the players are starting to established defined roles in a winning combination that maximizes this team's chances to win. These are not signs of a team that is trying to lose. They are signs of a young team growing and maturing and becoming a solid foundation to build a future with while making a run at respectability in a rebuilding year.

It looks like a Rondo Bradley starting back court could be very dangerous and now, with Crawford showing he can be that combo guard of the bench, a strong back court rotation will be established based on youth and defense and an ability to run.

Sullinger is starting to eat up guys underneath and appears to score at will once he established his position. With conditioning and some transformation of fat to muscle, he has a bright future as maybe one of the best players to come out of last year's draft class. I don't think a futre of 16+ PPG and 10 RPG is out of the question while playing very good defense.

Green is Green. When he shows up big, he's big time but otherwise he will disappear at times and overall be a great third option or okay 2nd option on a team. He's showing some leadership and being the big brother to guys like Crawford and Pressey which is important.

Faverani and Olynyk need some seasoning and strengthening but the rookie duo appear to make a fairly good center combo that gives Stevens different looks and strengths in different areas. I think it might be too early to claim either will be anything more than extremely valuable role players but the potential is there for more, especially if Olynyk can shake the foul bug and start knocking down some shots from outside 12 feet.

Bass has been terrific and Wallace seemed perfectly suited for that energy off the bench guy that provides veteran knowledge and experience to a young bench group.

Keeping most of this group together and adding pieces through the draft(even if those pieces are not Wiggins) will go a long way to turning this team into a winning bunch, without tanking, which is a good thing because this group of Celtics absolutely suck at tanking.

[Interceptor]

Danny said they would not be tanking. Stevens said they would not be tanking. The players to a man have said they would not be tanking.

Under-rated point, here. Everyone in the organization has said that they want to build a winning culture, that they are not tanking, that this team will surprise people.

Eight games into the season, the pundits have egg on their faces. Still have 74 games to go, but that's the score today.

[Snakehead]

The thing is if our young players are actually this good we have a lot of pieces.  Plus we have multiple picks over the next few years.  And we become an attractive FA location with cap space (depending on how resigning players could go, but we obviously have a few big expiring deals).

Our position is a good one.

[fairweatherfan]

We're tanking at tanking!  Metatanking!  Danny you're a genius!

[More Banners]

I have to admit that the biggest surprise to me is how quickly and effectively these rotations seem to have come together.  At least in these most recent wins, we see players playing roles, and most folks staying within themselves.

I didn't think this would happen like this, that's for sure.

A 10-player rotation seems to help?  Only one role per player; no tweeenie or combo play, like I would have probably done it myself.  It seems to be maximizing everyone's strength.  Glad he's the coach.

But while I've been preoccupied with one starting unit, Stevens has made two units, each well suited, and plays 10 guys.  He's surely figuring out how to get the best out of his guys.

Enjoy the showcase, everyone!

When Hump, Bogans, and Brooks fall off the salary cap and two rookies come on next year (up to 4 with the guy in Turkey), where is the money going to go?

Will Crawford and Bradley be competing for Free Agency Guard money from the Celtics, and who are the available FA guards up to $10M?

[Bankshot]

If the Celtics (4-4) are tanking, they're terrible at it. Boston pushed its win streak to four games and is at .500 for the season. Combined with Philadelphia's loss to the Spurs, Boston is now tied with the 76ers atop the Atlantic Division. We'll say it again: This team is a lot of fun to watch. It remains to be seen if they can maintain this sort of competitiveness, but they've given themselves a chance to win every time out and are improving with each game.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4708196/rapid-reaction-celtics-120-magic-105

He's right.

Danny said they would not be tanking. Stevens said they would not be tanking. The players to a man have said they would not be tanking.

The team has been competitive all season, have gotten better with each game they play and the players are starting to established defined roles in a winning combination that maximizes this team's chances to win. These are not signs of a team that is trying to lose. They are signs of a young team growing and maturing and becoming a solid foundation to build a future with while making a run at respectability in a rebuilding year.

It looks like a Rondo Bradley starting back court could be very dangerous and now, with Crawford showing he can be that combo guard of the bench, a strong back court rotation will be established based on youth and defense and an ability to run.

Sullinger is starting to eat up guys underneath and appears to score at will once he established his position. With conditioning and some transformation of fat to muscle, he has a bright future as maybe one of the best players to come out of last year's draft class. I don't think a futre of 16+ PPG and 10 RPG is out of the question while playing very good defense.

Green is Green. When he shows up big, he's big time but otherwise he will disappear at times and overall be a great third option or okay 2nd option on a team. He's showing some leadership and being the big brother to guys like Crawford and Pressey which is important.

Faverani and Olynyk need some seasoning and strengthening but the rookie duo appear to make a fairly good center combo that gives Stevens different looks and strengths in different areas. I think it might be too early to claim either will be anything more than extremely valuable role players but the potential is there for more, especially if Olynyk can shake the foul bug and start knocking down some shots from outside 12 feet.

Bass has been terrific and Wallace seemed perfectly suited for that energy off the bench guy that provides veteran knowledge and experience to a young bench group.

Keeping most of this group together and adding pieces through the draft(even if those pieces are not Wiggins) will go a long way to turning this team into a winning bunch, without tanking, which is a good thing because this group of Celtics absolutely suck at tanking.

Rondo/Bradley COULD be dangerous, provided Rondo has improved his shot and doesn't hold the ball for 15 seconds waiting for the assist.  I think one of the reasons Crawford/Bradley works is because Crawford is pretty good offensively and you cannot sag off of him.  If Rondo reverts back to holding the ball and refusing to take the open shot or taking it and rarely making it.... well, I certainly wouldn't be happy.

[kozlodoev]

We're tanking at tanking!  Metatanking!  Danny you're a genius!

Nah, we're tanking by proxy -- making sure the Nets lose as many games as possible.

[gpap]

We're tanking at tanking!  Metatanking!  Danny you're a genius!

Lol, it's uncharted territory in sports. Being bad at being bad

[kozlodoev]

We're tanking at tanking!  Metatanking!  Danny you're a genius!

Lol, it's unchartered territory in sports. Being bad at being bad

I think the Red Sox just wrote the book on this.

[VitorSullyandKOFan]

I'm very impressed by the young players they are improving in every game.

[prov1ml34]

Remember who was on the bench as an assistant two years ago for our playoff run? T-Wolves GM Flip Saunders.

Maybe Danny and him and a relationship which could get a deal agreed upon....

[ssspence]

If the Celtics (4-4) are tanking, they're terrible at it. Boston pushed its win streak to four games and is at .500 for the season. Combined with Philadelphia's loss to the Spurs, Boston is now tied with the 76ers atop the Atlantic Division. We'll say it again: This team is a lot of fun to watch. It remains to be seen if they can maintain this sort of competitiveness, but they've given themselves a chance to win every time out and are improving with each game.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4708196/rapid-reaction-celtics-120-magic-105

He's right.

Danny said they would not be tanking. Stevens said they would not be tanking. The players to a man have said they would not be tanking.

The team has been competitive all season, have gotten better with each game they play and the players are starting to established defined roles in a winning combination that maximizes this team's chances to win. These are not signs of a team that is trying to lose. They are signs of a young team growing and maturing and becoming a solid foundation to build a future with while making a run at respectability in a rebuilding year.

It looks like a Rondo Bradley starting back court could be very dangerous and now, with Crawford showing he can be that combo guard of the bench, a strong back court rotation will be established based on youth and defense and an ability to run.

Sullinger is starting to eat up guys underneath and appears to score at will once he established his position. With conditioning and some transformation of fat to muscle, he has a bright future as maybe one of the best players to come out of last year's draft class. I don't think a futre of 16+ PPG and 10 RPG is out of the question while playing very good defense.

Green is Green. When he shows up big, he's big time but otherwise he will disappear at times and overall be a great third option or okay 2nd option on a team. He's showing some leadership and being the big brother to guys like Crawford and Pressey which is important.

Faverani and Olynyk need some seasoning and strengthening but the rookie duo appear to make a fairly good center combo that gives Stevens different looks and strengths in different areas. I think it might be too early to claim either will be anything more than extremely valuable role players but the potential is there for more, especially if Olynyk can shake the foul bug and start knocking down some shots from outside 12 feet.

Bass has been terrific and Wallace seemed perfectly suited for that energy off the bench guy that provides veteran knowledge and experience to a young bench group.

Keeping most of this group together and adding pieces through the draft(even if those pieces are not Wiggins) will go a long way to turning this team into a winning bunch, without tanking, which is a good thing because this group of Celtics absolutely suck at tanking.

Rondo/Bradley COULD be dangerous, provided Rondo has improved his shot and doesn't hold the ball for 15 seconds waiting for the assist.  I think one of the reasons Crawford/Bradley works is because Crawford is pretty good offensively and you cannot sag off of him.  If Rondo reverts back to holding the ball and refusing to take the open shot or taking it and rarely making it.... well, I certainly wouldn't be happy.

You wont have to worry about it. Now that Crawford is our PG of the future, Rondo's a goner.

[Swoopz]

If the Celtics (4-4) are tanking, they're terrible at it. Boston pushed its win streak to four games and is at .500 for the season. Combined with Philadelphia's loss to the Spurs, Boston is now tied with the 76ers atop the Atlantic Division. We'll say it again: This team is a lot of fun to watch. It remains to be seen if they can maintain this sort of competitiveness, but they've given themselves a chance to win every time out and are improving with each game.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4708196/rapid-reaction-celtics-120-magic-105

He's right.

Danny said they would not be tanking. Stevens said they would not be tanking. The players to a man have said they would not be tanking.

The team has been competitive all season, have gotten better with each game they play and the players are starting to established defined roles in a winning combination that maximizes this team's chances to win. These are not signs of a team that is trying to lose. They are signs of a young team growing and maturing and becoming a solid foundation to build a future with while making a run at respectability in a rebuilding year.

It looks like a Rondo Bradley starting back court could be very dangerous and now, with Crawford showing he can be that combo guard of the bench, a strong back court rotation will be established based on youth and defense and an ability to run.

Sullinger is starting to eat up guys underneath and appears to score at will once he established his position. With conditioning and some transformation of fat to muscle, he has a bright future as maybe one of the best players to come out of last year's draft class. I don't think a futre of 16+ PPG and 10 RPG is out of the question while playing very good defense.

Green is Green. When he shows up big, he's big time but otherwise he will disappear at times and overall be a great third option or okay 2nd option on a team. He's showing some leadership and being the big brother to guys like Crawford and Pressey which is important.

Faverani and Olynyk need some seasoning and strengthening but the rookie duo appear to make a fairly good center combo that gives Stevens different looks and strengths in different areas. I think it might be too early to claim either will be anything more than extremely valuable role players but the potential is there for more, especially if Olynyk can shake the foul bug and start knocking down some shots from outside 12 feet.

Bass has been terrific and Wallace seemed perfectly suited for that energy off the bench guy that provides veteran knowledge and experience to a young bench group.

Keeping most of this group together and adding pieces through the draft(even if those pieces are not Wiggins) will go a long way to turning this team into a winning bunch, without tanking, which is a good thing because this group of Celtics absolutely suck at tanking.

Rondo/Bradley COULD be dangerous, provided Rondo has improved his shot and doesn't hold the ball for 15 seconds waiting for the assist.  I think one of the reasons Crawford/Bradley works is because Crawford is pretty good offensively and you cannot sag off of him.  If Rondo reverts back to holding the ball and refusing to take the open shot or taking it and rarely making it.... well, I certainly wouldn't be happy.

Considering that was hardly a problem in previous years (even last season) I wouldn't worry too much

[MBunge]

If the Celtics (4-4) are tanking, they're terrible at it. Boston pushed its win streak to four games and is at .500 for the season. Combined with Philadelphia's loss to the Spurs, Boston is now tied with the 76ers atop the Atlantic Division. We'll say it again: This team is a lot of fun to watch. It remains to be seen if they can maintain this sort of competitiveness, but they've given themselves a chance to win every time out and are improving with each game.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4708196/rapid-reaction-celtics-120-magic-105

He's right.

Danny said they would not be tanking. Stevens said they would not be tanking. The players to a man have said they would not be tanking.

The team has been competitive all season, have gotten better with each game they play and the players are starting to established defined roles in a winning combination that maximizes this team's chances to win. These are not signs of a team that is trying to lose. They are signs of a young team growing and maturing and becoming a solid foundation to build a future with while making a run at respectability in a rebuilding year.

It looks like a Rondo Bradley starting back court could be very dangerous and now, with Crawford showing he can be that combo guard of the bench, a strong back court rotation will be established based on youth and defense and an ability to run.

Sullinger is starting to eat up guys underneath and appears to score at will once he established his position. With conditioning and some transformation of fat to muscle, he has a bright future as maybe one of the best players to come out of last year's draft class. I don't think a futre of 16+ PPG and 10 RPG is out of the question while playing very good defense.

Green is Green. When he shows up big, he's big time but otherwise he will disappear at times and overall be a great third option or okay 2nd option on a team. He's showing some leadership and being the big brother to guys like Crawford and Pressey which is important.

Faverani and Olynyk need some seasoning and strengthening but the rookie duo appear to make a fairly good center combo that gives Stevens different looks and strengths in different areas. I think it might be too early to claim either will be anything more than extremely valuable role players but the potential is there for more, especially if Olynyk can shake the foul bug and start knocking down some shots from outside 12 feet.

Bass has been terrific and Wallace seemed perfectly suited for that energy off the bench guy that provides veteran knowledge and experience to a young bench group.

Keeping most of this group together and adding pieces through the draft(even if those pieces are not Wiggins) will go a long way to turning this team into a winning bunch, without tanking, which is a good thing because this group of Celtics absolutely suck at tanking.

Rondo/Bradley COULD be dangerous, provided Rondo has improved his shot and doesn't hold the ball for 15 seconds waiting for the assist.  I think one of the reasons Crawford/Bradley works is because Crawford is pretty good offensively and you cannot sag off of him.  If Rondo reverts back to holding the ball and refusing to take the open shot or taking it and rarely making it.... well, I certainly wouldn't be happy.

It's going to be interested to see what happens with Rondo.  Stevens seems to be preaching a lot of ball movement, which would take the rock out of Rondo's hands.  But the team is also playing at a much faster pace, which means more opportunities to spread around.

Mike

[BudweiserCeltic]

I have ZERO concerns on how Rondo will play with this team.