I think the season is just about over

[j804]

Rondo's continued absence has been very disappointing. Expected him back by now. I think the team has been waiting for him and has been running out of steam / optimism over the last few weeks.

It's a pity. This team would be a lot more fun to watch with Rondo on the floor. Hopefully he'll make it back sometime soon before even more of the season is wasted.

It would be a pity to watch Rondo go down with an other injury like Rose did. Yes he's not Rose, but he's not Peterson either.

I don't get this thinking though it might even be the opposite, wait forever and ever to come back what did Rose take off almost 1 and a half 2 years? How did that work out for him? There's a chance taking all that time off then trying to come back and go hard how he does could have caused his further injury.

[Celtics18]

The fact that they won 13 without Rondo is surprising alone.  This team was garbage on paper.  Credit Stevens and the players for wildly overachieving.

They could still surprise us and continue winning.  NOt sure how good of a thing that would be.  I think we're best off if we miss the playoffs and get a top pick.  But at this point, I wouldnt' be shocked to see us make the playoffs with 35 wins, get owned by Indiana in round 1 and end up with the #15 pick in the draft.

But if they fall apart this month.. it should surprise absolutely nobody other than Celtics18.  He's consistently picked "over" on this team and thus far... he's pretty much been right.

Thanks for that.  I'm a little nervous about this upcoming road trip myself. 

Sully's playing with one hand, Rondo's taking longer than I expected, and the stress of trying to keep it together seems to be starting to show. 

A win against the Pellies tonight would be a huge step towards keeping this team afloat.

You were one of the few people who believed this team could make the playoffs this year.  That said, weren't your expectations based on Gerald Wallace, Humphries and Rondo?... You certainly weren't counting on Jordan Crawford... nor did you expect that the Knicks/Brooklyn and the majority of the Leastern conference would be a disaster.

Still... kudos to now.  We are a half game out of the playoffs.  I thought we'd be a lock for the bottom 5.

The play of Jordan Crawford has definitely been a pleasant surprise, and I thought that Gerald Wallace would be more of a factor than he's been.  And, yes, I expected to have Rondo back by now.

I, like most, expected the Knicks and the Nets to be among the top five teams in the conference, but you are wrong in claiming that I didn't think the rest of the conference would be a disaster.  As a matter of fact, I had numerous debates with folks who were claiming that the likes of Toronto, Washington, Cleveland, and Milwaukee would be head and shoulders above the Celtics.  I was convinced that outside what I saw as a top five of Miami, Indiana, Chicago (who have also been worse than expected), and the two New York teams that the rest of the East would most likely be decidedly mediocre.  This was one of my main points in arguing that we had a chance to be a team that could win at least 35 games and compete for the playoffs.  It was never that I thought this was a great team.  I was looking around at the competition and thinking that our team could compete based on the fact that I didn't see a lot of overwhelmingly powerful teams in the Eastern conference. 

There's still a lot to be decided, and if we don't get our star point guard back until sometime in late February, it may be too late for this team. 

I'm going to keep rooting for them, though, to buck the odds and reach that 35 win mark which has been the mark that I set for them before the season started. 

[BballTim]

The fact that they won 13 without Rondo is surprising alone.  This team was garbage on paper.  Credit Stevens and the players for wildly overachieving.

They could still surprise us and continue winning.  NOt sure how good of a thing that would be.  I think we're best off if we miss the playoffs and get a top pick.  But at this point, I wouldnt' be shocked to see us make the playoffs with 35 wins, get owned by Indiana in round 1 and end up with the #15 pick in the draft.

But if they fall apart this month.. it should surprise absolutely nobody other than Celtics18.  He's consistently picked "over" on this team and thus far... he's pretty much been right.

Thanks for that.  I'm a little nervous about this upcoming road trip myself. 

Sully's playing with one hand, Rondo's taking longer than I expected, and the stress of trying to keep it together seems to be starting to show. 

A win against the Pellies tonight would be a huge step towards keeping this team afloat.

You were one of the few people who believed this team could make the playoffs this year.  That said, weren't your expectations based on Gerald Wallace, Humphries and Rondo?... You certainly weren't counting on Jordan Crawford... nor did you expect that the Knicks/Brooklyn and the majority of the Leastern conference would be a disaster.

Still... kudos to now.  We are a half game out of the playoffs.  I thought we'd be a lock for the bottom 5.

  Part of that was people underestimating the Celts, much of it was everybody overestimating the rest of the league. Every summer since 2009 or so there are discussions about how the Celts will fare than can best be characterized as "how will the season turn out if the Celts struggle and the rest of the teams enjoy smooth sailing?". The Celts could still hit the skids, but so could a number of other teams. There's hope for your "bottom 5" yet, but it was never a lock.

[Sketch5]

Rondo's continued absence has been very disappointing. Expected him back by now. I think the team has been waiting for him and has been running out of steam / optimism over the last few weeks.

It's a pity. This team would be a lot more fun to watch with Rondo on the floor. Hopefully he'll make it back sometime soon before even more of the season is wasted.

It would be a pity to watch Rondo go down with an other injury like Rose did. Yes he's not Rose, but he's not Peterson either.

I don't get this thinking though it might even be the opposite, wait forever and ever to come back what did Rose take off almost 1 and a half 2 years? How did that work out for him? There's a chance taking all that time off then trying to come back and go hard how he does could have caused his further injury.

Im not saying that he should take 2 years off, but my wife said after he got injured Jan/Feb most likely when he would be ready. So when people get frustrated that he's not on the floor yet, I can't understand why they would want him to rush it, if it really doesn't matter, we're not good enough to make a dent in the playoffs. I think if he's 100% now, he should rest a week, week and a half, heal from all the working out, let his other leg get some much needed rest, then start getting into game shape, and only play 15 to 20 mins at first.

[gpap]

I am surprised how much everyone is letting Danny Ainge off the hook.

I'll tell you why I am furious at Ainge (not like it would cause him to lose any sleep.)

He set this team up to fail when the players clearly came into this season looking to win.

Also, he totally miscalculated how inferior the rest of the league was going to be. As a G.M., though you can't predict how other teams fare, you should have a better idea of when it makes sense to tank and when to compete.

When I see guys like Bass and Green have a much overblown but clear disagreement during a game, I interpret that as a frustrated team knowing they don't have the parts needed to compete.

And, I think D.A. has not been setting up this team for success over the last couple years.

Last year at the deadline, he could've acquired a point guard and a legit big. If he had done that, we likely eliminate the pitiful Knicks who had no business whipping us like they did in 6 games.

This year, same story.

He assembles an uneven roster with 12 shooting guards, 18 power forwards and no real center or point guard. After he sees how hard the team plays and how poor the rest of the league is, he should've or should be looking to address the team's needs and improve the roster.

Right now, there are so many good players available via trade that could help us, it's laughable.

But Ainge unfortunately has this strange infatuation with mid-teen draft picks instead of building a contender for this year.

For those holding out hope for a top 3 pick, it ain't happening. WAY too many bad teams this year and I personally don't have any interest in a draft pick not selected in the lottery.

Anyway, just my own personal venting

[LarBrd33]

I am surprised how much everyone is letting Danny Ainge off the hook.

I'll tell you why I am furious at Ainge (not like it would cause him to lose any sleep.)

He set this team up to fail when the players clearly came into this season looking to win.

Also, he totally miscalculated how inferior the rest of the league was going to be. As a G.M., though you can't predict how other teams fare, you should have a better idea of when it makes sense to tank and when to compete.

When I see guys like Bass and Green have a much overblown but clear disagreement during a game, I interpret that as a frustrated team knowing they don't have the parts needed to compete.

And, I think D.A. has not been setting up this team for success over the last couple years.

Last year at the deadline, he could've acquired a point guard and a legit big. If he had done that, we likely eliminate the pitiful Knicks who had no business whipping us like they did in 6 games.

This year, same story.

He assembles an uneven roster with 12 shooting guards, 18 power forwards and no real center or point guard. After he sees how hard the team plays and how poor the rest of the league is, he should've or should be looking to address the team's needs and improve the roster.

Right now, there are so many good players available via trade that could help us, it's laughable.

But Ainge unfortunately has this strange infatuation with mid-teen draft picks instead of building a contender for this year.

For those holding out hope for a top 3 pick, it ain't happening. WAY too many bad teams this year and I personally don't have any interest in a draft pick not selected in the lottery.

Anyway, just my own personal venting

Save it until Late-February.  We're in a holding pattern.  Dominos are yet to fall.

[wdleehi]

I am surprised how much everyone is letting Danny Ainge off the hook.

I'll tell you why I am furious at Ainge (not like it would cause him to lose any sleep.)

He set this team up to fail when the players clearly came into this season looking to win.

Also, he totally miscalculated how inferior the rest of the league was going to be. As a G.M., though you can't predict how other teams fare, you should have a better idea of when it makes sense to tank and when to compete.

When I see guys like Bass and Green have a much overblown but clear disagreement during a game, I interpret that as a frustrated team knowing they don't have the parts needed to compete.

And, I think D.A. has not been setting up this team for success over the last couple years.

Last year at the deadline, he could've acquired a point guard and a legit big. If he had done that, we likely eliminate the pitiful Knicks who had no business whipping us like they did in 6 games.

This year, same story.

He assembles an uneven roster with 12 shooting guards, 18 power forwards and no real center or point guard. After he sees how hard the team plays and how poor the rest of the league is, he should've or should be looking to address the team's needs and improve the roster.

Right now, there are so many good players available via trade that could help us, it's laughable.

But Ainge unfortunately has this strange infatuation with mid-teen draft picks instead of building a contender for this year.

For those holding out hope for a top 3 pick, it ain't happening. WAY too many bad teams this year and I personally don't have any interest in a draft pick not selected in the lottery.

Anyway, just my own personal venting

Ainge is in chip collection mode, not win this season mode.  I have no issue with that.


These extra SGs (Brooks, Bogans) and PFs (Humphries) are the throw ins to make salary work, not the win pieces.  The multiple picks were the target. 

Bass, Lee and Crawford are leftovers from trying to contend last year with KG, Pierce and Rondo. 


These pieces just don't evaporate over night.  And they are not pieces other teams knock down doors to get. 



Rebuilding is a patience exercise.  Or, go the Knick route. 

[PhoSita]

The season is most decidedly not over. 

However, unless you particularly enjoy watching this group or expect some new developments with the key players currently on the roster, I'd say there's not much more exciting coming down the pipe prior to the draft.

[SHAQATTACK]

I enjoy watching young dudes playing their hearts out......from my standpoint ..I'm ok with rebuilding over a few years and being in the basement gunning for a few draft picks........eventually well start our run back to the top.......until then best to relax and enjoy the ride

[chambers]

I am surprised how much everyone is letting Danny Ainge off the hook.

I'll tell you why I am furious at Ainge (not like it would cause him to lose any sleep.)

He set this team up to fail when the players clearly came into this season looking to win.

Also, he totally miscalculated how inferior the rest of the league was going to be. As a G.M., though you can't predict how other teams fare, you should have a better idea of when it makes sense to tank and when to compete.

When I see guys like Bass and Green have a much overblown but clear disagreement during a game, I interpret that as a frustrated team knowing they don't have the parts needed to compete.

And, I think D.A. has not been setting up this team for success over the last couple years.

Last year at the deadline, he could've acquired a point guard and a legit big. If he had done that, we likely eliminate the pitiful Knicks who had no business whipping us like they did in 6 games.

This year, same story.

He assembles an uneven roster with 12 shooting guards, 18 power forwards and no real center or point guard. After he sees how hard the team plays and how poor the rest of the league is, he should've or should be looking to address the team's needs and improve the roster.

Right now, there are so many good players available via trade that could help us, it's laughable.

But Ainge unfortunately has this strange infatuation with mid-teen draft picks instead of building a contender for this year.

For those holding out hope for a top 3 pick, it ain't happening. WAY too many bad teams this year and I personally don't have any interest in a draft pick not selected in the lottery.

Anyway, just my own personal venting

It's about the bigger picture though. What team could we have built for this season that would honestly compete with Miami and Indiana? If we'd added the PG and big man last season to beat the Knicks, would we really have had a shot in the 2nd round or ECF?
Handing out more contracts for a guard till Rondo gets back means there's less money to spend down the road.
I'm not sure what legit big man you're talking about but again,  you have got to keep your eye on the bigger picture.
In an interview a few months ago Ainge stated something along the lines of *being medicore in the NBA is not worth it
*you must maintain 100% focus on winning a championship and what you must do to put yourself in a position to compete for a championship.
*To win an NBA championship you need superstar players.

There's still 7 weeks till the trade deadline so anything can happen.
I think the reason they're playing Brooks in the D League is because they'll be actively trying to trade at least one of our 27 shooting guards over the next 7 weeks. I mean we saw the enquiry about Lowry from Toronto and we almost saw Bass+Lee to Houston for Asik. Who knows what else Danny will try and pull off.
Don't be mad at Danny- he's done a very good job at acquiring valuable assets that we'll need down the line to get some serious players here. We don't wanna be the 2009 Toronto Raptors with all our cap space tied up in bums and mediocre players.
The only real serious cap killer is Gerald Wallace but our picks will hopefully get another team to take him from us.

Anyway, I'm still of the opinion that Danny had planned for this team to fail. As you say though, I don't think he thought the rest of the East would be so terrible, so he may try to fix that by making multiple moves in the next 6-7 weeks.

Just remember, it's about the bigger picture and eventually in the NBA you'll probably have to go through some pain and losing to get back to the top of the food chain.
Even the Spurs and Lakers go through hell periods.
I just hope we are making the most of our opportunities.

I trust Ainge either way.

[freshinthehouse]

I trust Ainge either way.

Agreed, but I think it's a bit more than that too.  We also have great ownership who are willing to spend money, and we have what looks to be a great young coach.  We may blow gnard for the next 2-3 years, but I'd be shocked if we weren't winning 50+ games a season in 3-4 years.

[Mattson]

My expectations were fairly low, as much as I hate to admit it. Without Rondo, where is this team going anyway? As long as they play hard and learn, I'm happy. The winning will come next season or the season after that. This will not last 10 years believe me!

[BleedGreen1989]

I couldn't disagree more.

If you want this team to get into the playoffs, there's plenty of time for that. If you want this team to continue to lose and hope for a top-5 pick, there's still plenty of time for that as well.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I enjoy watching young dudes playing their hearts out......from my standpoint ..I'm ok with rebuilding over a few years and being in the basement gunning for a few draft picks........eventually well start our run back to the top.......until then best to relax and enjoy the ride

agreed

[More Banners]

I'm a bit with gpap on this one.  When there's a path to go deep (weak conference), anything can happen, so take it.  Don't screw the future, but take it.

Pau Gasol is on the block and is expiring.  Take this roster, and add Rondo and Gasol for the stretch.  IF it costs a pick and other expirings to have a shot this year, we should take it.

We have Green and Wallace to match up with the big SFs, and that's a pretty nice idea by Danny (taking Wallace doesn't seem so bad in a series against NYK or MIA).  Gasol is a really, really good big man that can run the high post as well as anyone since, perhaps, Divac.

Do we have a shot with Gasol?  I think we have a puncher's chance...easily favored in the first round, and with the pieces to go the distance against the big guns in a series worth watching.