Tankers Rejoice

[Mr October]

this season has become Very annoying to me...I'm getting anxious for SOMETHING to happen---Trade away our Vets and let KO and Vitor play---Stop playing Humphries, unless we are going to trade or re-sign him. NOT if we're letting his contract expire-makes ZERO sense. I hate feeling like these losses will lead to something good---it BETTER.

It's painful but you have to be patient. I want ainge to make the best trade possible. The team isnt going anywhere this year anyway. This team is years away from making any significant noise in the playoffs.

I imagine that if the trade deadline passes an humphries is still a Celtic, he will probably see a lot less playing time, and just be a nice expiring contract at the end of the season. Until then,  he is playing well enough to earn the time, and might as well showcase him for a desperate team in February.

[Mr October]

If the season ended today, we'd miss the playoffs and have the 9th best odds in the draft.

We're 2 games out of a Top 5 pick right now.  If we hit a massive losing streak, we could be in the land of golden biscuits in no time.

Bad news is, the Bobcats are skidding... we're a mere half game out of the 8th seed (#15 pick).  Garbage Leastern Conference.

Wouldn't it just be hilarious if this state of affairs continued and there was little to no separation?

One team wins the dubious honor of a 4 game sweep by the Heat or Pacers, where the contender contempuously sits all 5 starters to ensure the games have less than a 30 point margin of victory, while a team a half game worse potentially ends up with a franchise caliber player.

Good lord. You'd have to laugh, if you didn't, you'd cry.

I'm really hoping some trades shake up the conference.  Someone HAS to be a buyer.  The Raptors have gone and made themself respectable, at least.  The Nets are only 2 games out of the playoffs.  Bobcats entered this season in "win-now" mode, it would be nice to see them land a couple players that would ensure short-term success.  Cavs could theoretically improve if they traded Bynum for a position they need (the Richard Jefferson trade, for instance).  Maybe the Knicks make a play for Asik.  Stuff can change pretty rapidly. 

There's currently only 3 games separating Charlotte (8th seed/15th pick) and Orlando #3 pick.  That's sick.  That literally means that a 4 game win streak/4 game lose streak could dramatically shift the fortunes of a team.  There's only 5 games between Orlando and the 5th seed.  The entire conference from the 5th seed down is garbage.


The question is... how would you feel if Boston became a buyer?  With Rondo soon returning... there's some rationalization to Boston cashing in their chips and going after a playoff slot.  It certainly wouldn't be difficult to get a playoff slot this year... and there certainly seems to be talent available if you want it:  Asik ... possibly Afflalo and Melo... Several capable role players who don't fit on teams tanking.

The lack of separation is painfull. I am looking forward to seeing the celtics slide down the standings during this west swing, and brutal January schedule.

The lottery talent in this draft is really intriguing. Gotta get those ping pong balls!

[indeedproceed]

I'd put perfect pizza up against a lobbie any day. Ever had the clam pie at Pepe's in New Haven? If i had a choice of one last meal before heading for the big house, that might be it...

Its funny, when I was typing all that in the back of my head my inner foodie was like.."Yeah, but remember that pizza you had in New York? The one where you froze the last slice so you could enjoy it later? That was pretty good pizza. And you've paid a lot more at prime rib joints for far less satisfaction."

[Yenohb]

I'm still rooting for the Knicks to be terrible if I'm being honest. That is in addition to the Hawks as well. When the Cs play competitively and lose by 3 points it makes my day. Although I was intrigued with the idea of bringing in Josh Smith and keeping PP and KG, I have been in the "tanking" category since the offseason.

In regards to players not being able to create their own shots, that is because this roster was constructed around Rondo. He is the main shot creator for the team in his own unique way.

TP.

[Nerf DPOY]

The upcoming stretch may be the roughest of the season, but February looks to be a breeze by comparison. Only 12 games but the only playoff teams (if season ended today) are the Mavs, Spurs, Suns, and Hawks. Also, who knows how the Suns and Hawks will look by mid to late Feb? Throw in a possibly 100% Rondo,...oh I don't even want to think about what could happen....we could go 7-5.

Edit: Only 11 games in February.

[Celtics18]

At the beginning of the season it was; "Wiggins/Parker of bust!".  Now it's; "woo hoo, ninth pick!"

Congratulations, tankers . . . I guess.

[indeedproceed]

At the beginning of the season it was; "Wiggins/Parker of bust!".  Now it's; "woo hoo, ninth pick!"

Congratulations, tankers . . . I guess.

I don't think a 9th pick is anyone's best case scenario, but I also doubt anyone who thinks that getting a top-5 pick in this draft believes the C's will remain at the 9th spot. There's no real separation yet, lotta basketball.

[JSD]

After we lose these next 5 straight we will be 13 - 25 or .342

That's good for the 6th worst record in the NBA.

[moiso]

Cheers, JSD!

[celticmaestro]

Since my dream of Banner 18 coming this year while the Nets finish with the worst record isn't likely, then the more losses the merrier in my opinion.

[hpantazo]

The upcoming stretch may be the roughest of the season, but February looks to be a breeze by comparison. Only 12 games but the only playoff teams (if season ended today) are the Mavs, Spurs, Suns, and Hawks. Also, who knows how the Suns and Hawks will look by mid to late Feb? Throw in a possibly 100% Rondo,...oh I don't even want to think about what could happen....we could go 7-5.

Edit: Only 11 games in February.

Rondo won't be 100% until next season. No player who returned from acl surgery has ever been anywhere close to 100% until at least 4-5 months after returning to game action.

Just a few examples, Rose sucked when he came back this year, and he was out a lot longer than Rondo. Shumpert is just now this week finally showing signs of returning to his pre-injury self. Perk never returned to his pre-acl self, and neither did Josh Howard, or Leon Powe, or countless other players. Those who did, took about a season of NBA action to do so.

[Fan from VT]

If the season ended today, we'd miss the playoffs and have the 9th best odds in the draft.

We're 2 games out of a Top 5 pick right now.  If we hit a massive losing streak, we could be in the land of golden biscuits in no time.

Bad news is, the Bobcats are skidding... we're a mere half game out of the 8th seed (#15 pick).  Garbage Leastern Conference.

Wouldn't it just be hilarious if this state of affairs continued and there was little to no separation?

One team wins the dubious honor of a 4 game sweep by the Heat or Pacers, where the contender contempuously sits all 5 starters to ensure the games have less than a 30 point margin of victory, while a team a half game worse potentially ends up with a franchise caliber player.

Good lord. You'd have to laugh, if you didn't, you'd cry.

I'm really hoping some trades shake up the conference.  Someone HAS to be a buyer.  The Raptors have gone and made themself respectable, at least.  The Nets are only 2 games out of the playoffs.  Bobcats entered this season in "win-now" mode, it would be nice to see them land a couple players that would ensure short-term success.  Cavs could theoretically improve if they traded Bynum for a position they need (the Richard Jefferson trade, for instance).  Maybe the Knicks make a play for Asik.  Stuff can change pretty rapidly. 

There's currently only 3 games separating Charlotte (8th seed/15th pick) and Orlando #3 pick.  That's sick.  That literally means that a 4 game win streak/4 game lose streak could dramatically shift the fortunes of a team.  There's only 5 games between Orlando and the 5th seed.  The entire conference from the 5th seed down is garbage.


The question is... how would you feel if Boston became a buyer?  With Rondo soon returning... there's some rationalization to Boston cashing in their chips and going after a playoff slot.  It certainly wouldn't be difficult to get a playoff slot this year... and there certainly seems to be talent available if you want it:  Asik ... possibly Afflalo and Melo... Several capable role players who don't fit on teams tanking.

The really awful thing is that if Boston acquired both Afflalo and Asik (easily doable, and probably doable without giving up too much in the way of picks), and Rondo does come back looking like 85% of himself, a Rondo-Afflalo-Green-Sully-Asik lineup is the 3rd best in the East, and by a good margin I'd wager.

EDIT: The reason why its awful is because while that's a good team..in a conference like the West, it's probably a strong 5 seed. A strong 5 seed relying on 4 role players and a star whose talent is most predicated upon making life easier for those around him. Its like a really good traditional supreme pizza, and Rondo is perfectly cooked crust.

But the problem with perfect pizza is that its not prime rib or lobster, and it never will be.

Yeah, the problem is, there is zero chance of putting together a team that beats Miami/Indy, and if you lock yourself into a "good" team this year, you can't reasonably expect the East to be this bad for very long, so you'd essentially be locking yourself into a mediocre team in a normal future season just to "go for it" this year.


My opinion is we should be looking to sell Green/Wallace/Humphries types to Wash/Chi/Char/Det/Cle/Mil (who never seem to want to rebuild).

[LarBrd33]

The upcoming stretch may be the roughest of the season, but February looks to be a breeze by comparison. Only 12 games but the only playoff teams (if season ended today) are the Mavs, Spurs, Suns, and Hawks. Also, who knows how the Suns and Hawks will look by mid to late Feb? Throw in a possibly 100% Rondo,...oh I don't even want to think about what could happen....we could go 7-5.

Edit: Only 11 games in February.

Rondo won't be 100% until next season. No player who returned from acl surgery has ever been anywhere close to 100% until at least 4-5 months after returning to game action.

Just a few examples, Rose sucked when he came back this year, and he was out a lot longer than Rondo. Shumpert is just now this week finally showing signs of returning to his pre-injury self. Perk never returned to his pre-acl self, and neither did Josh Howard, or Leon Powe, or countless other players. Those who did, took about a season of NBA action to do so.

King LeBron James himself could descend from the heavens and join this Celtic team... and I still think they would struggle to contend.  If the 2nd best player on your team is 21 year old Jared Sullinger, you're probably not going very far.

If Rondo looks great when he returns, I still think it just expedites his ticket out of here.  This very much is a team built for the future.   Sully, Oly, Bradley, two 2014 picks, two 2015 picks, etc... 27 year olds don't really fit with the long-view of this squad.  Especially when you consider the kind of offers a "100% healthy" Rondo might lure in.  Last month the Kings were rumored to be offering Thomas, 20-year-old Ben McLemore, two 1st round picks and a couple serviceable players (Thompson and THornton) for Rondo and Wallace.  If that's the kind of offers "Question Mark Rondo" gets, a 100% Rondo should give Danny some intriguing options.  Should be interesting to see what happens.

[Jailan34]

Feels nice to have a thread for us.

It's tough watching this team lose games but every night that they and the hawks both lose is just another step closer to rebuilding the team.

I'm not sure what AB's value is because of his alleged contract demands but I'd love DA to trade him and Green for some more picks. I don't know if we will end up in the top five, but if we don't I want to be able to trade up as far as possible.

Hoping for some smart moves by Danny and a great draft night for all C's fans.

[D.o.s.]

The upcoming stretch may be the roughest of the season, but February looks to be a breeze by comparison. Only 12 games but the only playoff teams (if season ended today) are the Mavs, Spurs, Suns, and Hawks. Also, who knows how the Suns and Hawks will look by mid to late Feb? Throw in a possibly 100% Rondo,...oh I don't even want to think about what could happen....we could go 7-5.

Edit: Only 11 games in February.

Rondo won't be 100% until next season. No player who returned from acl surgery has ever been anywhere close to 100% until at least 4-5 months after returning to game action.

Just a few examples, Rose sucked when he came back this year, and he was out a lot longer than Rondo. Shumpert is just now this week finally showing signs of returning to his pre-injury self. Perk never returned to his pre-acl self, and neither did Josh Howard, or Leon Powe, or countless other players. Those who did, took about a season of NBA action to do so.

King LeBron James himself could descend from the heavens and join this Celtic team... and I still think they would struggle to contend.  If the 2nd best player on your team is 21 year old Jared Sullinger, you're probably not going very far.

If Rondo looks great when he returns, I still think it just expedites his ticket out of here.  This very much is a team built for the future.   Sully, Oly, Bradley, two 2014 picks, two 2015 picks, etc... 27 year olds don't really fit with the long-view of this squad.  Especially when you consider the kind of offers a "100% healthy" Rondo might lure in.  Last month the Kings were rumored to be offering Thomas, 20-year-old Ben McLemore, two 1st round picks and a couple serviceable players (Thompson and THornton) for Rondo and Wallace.  If that's the kind of offers "Question Mark Rondo" gets, a 100% Rondo should give Danny some intriguing options.  Should be interesting to see what happens.

I don't know if that rumor was ever anything more than blog gossip--was it ever reported by anyone with a twitter handle (and a modicum of accountability)?