The next 10 games will obliterate our lottery chances.

[LooseCannon]

to all those opposed to tanking:

i hope you all enjoy theses meaningless wins that will stop us from getting a superstar in the next draft.sure it sucks losing but i rather hit rock bottom this year than be mediocre the next 5-10 years because we can't get a real superstar on the team.(no rondo is not,and don't exepect a free-agent one either)the draft is the only way we'll get one,and after having one it will be easier to get more

The promise of more posts like this will make every win that much more enjoyable.

[Mencius]

I get the funny feeling that the tankers in the crowd will go apoplectic if we win 7 of 10 and don't make any trades over the next ten days yet, that is exactly what could happen.

I don't know how likely that is. Its probably more likely no trades are made than the team winning 7 of 10 games but anything is possible as a lot of teams that we play over the next t few weeks are tanking hard.

Yep--that'd be what would make this season unbearable to watch.

Exactly.  If you're going to stink and have no chance at contending, well, you know the rest.

[chambers]

I get the funny feeling that the tankers in the crowd will go apoplectic if we win 7 of 10 and don't make any trades over the next ten days yet, that is exactly what could happen.

I don't know how likely that is. Its probably more likely no trades are made than the team winning 7 of 10 games but anything is possible as a lot of teams that we play over the next t few weeks are tanking hard.

If that did happen I'd be furious. It would be the worst outcome for the future of this franchise.
Having that pick is the diamond in our asset collection.
No matter if you oppose rebuilding by drafting players or trading assets to get them-we need to nab one of those top 5 picks.
Considering Danny traded away Crawford and Lee though, it's very unlikely that this current roster stays the same over the trade deadline because they are still good enough to win 7 of 10 against the other scum of the league.
The veterans that likely don't have part in the future of this team are probably gone for breakeven returns at best.
Personally I hope Danny puts player development of Sullinger, Olynyk, Fav and Blue ahead of winning a few meaningless games.

[LarBrd33]

to all those opposed to tanking:

i hope you all enjoy theses meaningless wins that will stop us from getting a superstar in the next draft.sure it sucks losing but i rather hit rock bottom this year than be mediocre the next 5-10 years because we can't get a real superstar on the team.(no rondo is not,and don't exepect a free-agent one either)the draft is the only way we'll get one,and after having one it will be easier to get more

I agree. Look at how good the Bobcats are with all of those top 5 picks. The Cavs look like title contenders and the Wizards....just look unstoppable.

There is a reason that for the last decade the lottery teams for the most part remain unchanged. Tanking alone will not win a title. I would think its likely that if the Celtics have a repeat of this season they will be looking for a new coach since Stevens will have lost the team. Danny doesn't seem like the type of guy that wants to rebuild for the next decade.

The cavs drafted anthony Bennet with the firrst pick...THey are also located in Clevland...

If you arent completely incompetant you can build an exceptional team by getting top 5 picks. Also I'd like to hear your magical idea on how to rebuild while winning games. Want to be the Hawks for the next decade? Or do you want to get a high pick and turn into the 2008 Celtics.

  Sign me up for turning into the 2008 Celts if all it takes to get there is a high draft pick.

Sure that's possible.  You keep Rondo... he's your Pierce.  You trade the Top 5 pick + expiring contracts for an all-star player like Melo (he's your Ray) and then you trade your elite big prospect (Big Al/Sully) + multiple additional prospects (bradley/delonte,  Oly/Gerald Green, multiple 1sts) for a disgruntled superstar big man in Minnesota (Kevin Garnett/Love)

Instant Big 3 - Pierce/Rondo, Ray/Melo, Kevin/Kevin

I'm cool with it.  I'd prefer we just bottom out and select a superstar so we can have more than a 3-5 year window... in other words, the Kevin Durant path that the ThunderSonics took in 2007.   I'd take 15 years of contending built around a home-grown superstar over a small window built around purchased aging all-stars.

Fwiw, Love and Melo are much younger than Ray and KG when we traded for them... that' makes this idea unrealistic.  That and the fact that Kevin Love is a lock to go home to the Lakers.

[BballTim]

to all those opposed to tanking:

i hope you all enjoy theses meaningless wins that will stop us from getting a superstar in the next draft.sure it sucks losing but i rather hit rock bottom this year than be mediocre the next 5-10 years because we can't get a real superstar on the team.(no rondo is not,and don't exepect a free-agent one either)the draft is the only way we'll get one,and after having one it will be easier to get more

I agree. Look at how good the Bobcats are with all of those top 5 picks. The Cavs look like title contenders and the Wizards....just look unstoppable.

There is a reason that for the last decade the lottery teams for the most part remain unchanged. Tanking alone will not win a title. I would think its likely that if the Celtics have a repeat of this season they will be looking for a new coach since Stevens will have lost the team. Danny doesn't seem like the type of guy that wants to rebuild for the next decade.

The cavs drafted anthony Bennet with the firrst pick...THey are also located in Clevland...

If you arent completely incompetant you can build an exceptional team by getting top 5 picks. Also I'd like to hear your magical idea on how to rebuild while winning games. Want to be the Hawks for the next decade? Or do you want to get a high pick and turn into the 2008 Celtics.

  Sign me up for turning into the 2008 Celts if all it takes to get there is a high draft pick.

Sure that's possible.  You keep Rondo... he's your Pierce.  You trade the Top 5 pick + expiring contracts for an all-star player like Melo (he's your Ray) and then you trade your elite big prospect (Big Al/Sully) + multiple additional prospects (bradley/delonte,  Oly/Gerald Green, multiple 1sts) for a disgruntled superstar big man in Minnesota (Kevin Garnett/Love)

Instant Big 3 - Pierce/Rondo, Ray/Melo, Kevin/Kevin

I'm cool with it.  I'd prefer we just bottom out and select a superstar so we can have more than a 3-5 year window... in other words, the Kevin Durant path that the ThunderSonics took in 2007.   I'd take 15 years of contending built around a home-grown superstar over a small window built around purchased aging all-stars.

Fwiw, Love and Melo are much younger than Ray and KG when we traded for them... that' makes this idea unrealistic.  That and the fact that Kevin Love is a lock to go home to the Lakers.

  Assuming that Durant gives the team that drafted him a contending window of longer than 3-5 years he'll be the only player drafted this century to do that aside from Wade, who was only able to do so because the best player in the world joined his team. Take the 3-5 year window if you can get it. It's likely to be 3-5 years longer than the window you'll get from your draft pick.

[dreamgreen]

I'm hoping they are showcasing Bass and Green for a deal at the deadline. I'd like to see KO get at least 25 mins a game so we can see what we have.

Getting a top 5 pick is important no matter what anyone says. The next 6 months should define this team for the next 5 years.

I would love to see them turn some of our parts for a quality center. Perhaps we still get Asik? Any chance we turn Green and some picks into Monroe?

Going on a winning streak is a bad idea, building the team and developing players is the priority.

[LilRip]

It really confounds me as to why there are posters rooting for the celtics to win games just so they can barely miss the playoffs and end up with the 13th pick or something. Look, we have studs in Rondo and Sully. We know that. But those 2 aren't enough to get us deep into the playoffs, never mind a ring.

Let this year play out, particularly because of the strong draft class. It's not like a high pick will hurt us. Even if you believe that there are no good rookies this year, I would imagine that we could trade the 2nd overall pick for someone like Kevin Love or Andre Drummond. It's that valuable.

Yes, I root for the celtics to win, but I'm willing to take the L's now if it means something much better later on. And I realize that even if we draft our "star" this year, that we won't be instant contenders, or even a playoff team. Heck, Durant led the Thunder to 20 wins in his first year. LBJ didn't make the playoffs either. But I'll take either of those guys on this C's team. Patience is needed in rebuilding.

[guava_wrench]

Counting the Orlando game which we just won the schedule is...

Magic
@76ers
Kings
Mavericks
@Bucks
Spurs
@Suns
@Lakers
@Kings
@Jazz

Literally everyone of those bolded games is an easily winnable game. Unless Danny blows it up completely soon we will be flirting with the 8th seed.

No game is "easily" winnable for the Celtics. Even the Magic at home was a close win.

[guava_wrench]

It really confounds me as to why there are posters rooting for the celtics to win games just so they can barely miss the playoffs and end up with the 13th pick or something. Look, we have studs in Rondo and Sully. We know that. But those 2 aren't enough to get us deep into the playoffs, never mind a ring.

Let this year play out, particularly because of the strong draft class. It's not like a high pick will hurt us. Even if you believe that there are no good rookies this year, I would imagine that we could trade the 2nd overall pick for someone like Kevin Love or Andre Drummond. It's that valuable.

Yes, I root for the celtics to win, but I'm willing to take the L's now if it means something much better later on. And I realize that even if we draft our "star" this year, that we won't be instant contenders, or even a playoff team. Heck, Durant led the Thunder to 20 wins in his first year. LBJ didn't make the playoffs either. But I'll take either of those guys on this C's team. Patience is needed in rebuilding.

Why do people care so much about what people root for? Rooting makes no difference one way or another. Let people feel what they want to feel.

[guava_wrench]

I'm hoping they are showcasing Bass and Green for a deal at the deadline. I'd like to see KO get at least 25 mins a game so we can see what we have.

How do you "showcase" guys who already get starter's minutes?

[LilRip]

It really confounds me as to why there are posters rooting for the celtics to win games just so they can barely miss the playoffs and end up with the 13th pick or something. Look, we have studs in Rondo and Sully. We know that. But those 2 aren't enough to get us deep into the playoffs, never mind a ring.

Let this year play out, particularly because of the strong draft class. It's not like a high pick will hurt us. Even if you believe that there are no good rookies this year, I would imagine that we could trade the 2nd overall pick for someone like Kevin Love or Andre Drummond. It's that valuable.

Yes, I root for the celtics to win, but I'm willing to take the L's now if it means something much better later on. And I realize that even if we draft our "star" this year, that we won't be instant contenders, or even a playoff team. Heck, Durant led the Thunder to 20 wins in his first year. LBJ didn't make the playoffs either. But I'll take either of those guys on this C's team. Patience is needed in rebuilding.

Why do people care so much about what people root for? Rooting makes no difference one way or another. Let people feel what they want to feel.

I'm not stopping them. I'm saying it confounds me because I really can't understand it. Are people really just concerned about this year, future be darned? Call me curious.

[clover]

to all those opposed to tanking:

i hope you all enjoy theses meaningless wins that will stop us from getting a superstar in the next draft.sure it sucks losing but i rather hit rock bottom this year than be mediocre the next 5-10 years because we can't get a real superstar on the team.(no rondo is not,and don't exepect a free-agent one either)the draft is the only way we'll get one,and after having one it will be easier to get more

I agree. Look at how good the Bobcats are with all of those top 5 picks. The Cavs look like title contenders and the Wizards....just look unstoppable.

There is a reason that for the last decade the lottery teams for the most part remain unchanged. Tanking alone will not win a title. I would think its likely that if the Celtics have a repeat of this season they will be looking for a new coach since Stevens will have lost the team. Danny doesn't seem like the type of guy that wants to rebuild for the next decade.

The cavs drafted anthony Bennet with the firrst pick...THey are also located in Clevland...

If you arent completely incompetant you can build an exceptional team by getting top 5 picks. Also I'd like to hear your magical idea on how to rebuild while winning games. Want to be the Hawks for the next decade? Or do you want to get a high pick and turn into the 2008 Celtics.

  Sign me up for turning into the 2008 Celts if all it takes to get there is a high draft pick.

Sure that's possible.  You keep Rondo... he's your Pierce.  You trade the Top 5 pick + expiring contracts for an all-star player like Melo (he's your Ray) and then you trade your elite big prospect (Big Al/Sully) + multiple additional prospects (bradley/delonte,  Oly/Gerald Green, multiple 1sts) for a disgruntled superstar big man in Minnesota (Kevin Garnett/Love)

Instant Big 3 - Pierce/Rondo, Ray/Melo, Kevin/Kevin

I'm cool with it.  I'd prefer we just bottom out and select a superstar so we can have more than a 3-5 year window... in other words, the Kevin Durant path that the ThunderSonics took in 2007.   I'd take 15 years of contending built around a home-grown superstar over a small window built around purchased aging all-stars.

Fwiw, Love and Melo are much younger than Ray and KG when we traded for them... that' makes this idea unrealistic.  That and the fact that Kevin Love is a lock to go home to the Lakers.

I don't see a KG and Perk defensive core to that team. Love and Anthony are career poor and indifferent defensive players. Sure, Bradley's better than Ray defensively, but there has to be a frontcourt defense.

[AidaCelt]

Counting the Orlando game which we just won the schedule is...

Magic
@76ers
Kings
Mavericks
@Bucks
Spurs
@Suns
@Lakers
@Kings
@Jazz

Literally everyone of those bolded games is an easily winnable game. Unless Danny blows it up completely soon we will be flirting with the 8th seed.

Winnable, yes. However, Kings are playing pretty good ball and if they get DMC back soon are a tough team to beat. Jazz are also playing much better recently. Sixers, Bucks and Lakers are all >50% winning

[AidaCelt]

to all those opposed to tanking:

i hope you all enjoy theses meaningless wins that will stop us from getting a superstar in the next draft.sure it sucks losing but i rather hit rock bottom this year than be mediocre the next 5-10 years because we can't get a real superstar on the team.(no rondo is not,and don't exepect a free-agent one either)the draft is the only way we'll get one,and after having one it will be easier to get more

I agree. Look at how good the Bobcats are with all of those top 5 picks. The Cavs look like title contenders and the Wizards....just look unstoppable.

There is a reason that for the last decade the lottery teams for the most part remain unchanged. Tanking alone will not win a title. I would think its likely that if the Celtics have a repeat of this season they will be looking for a new coach since Stevens will have lost the team. Danny doesn't seem like the type of guy that wants to rebuild for the next decade.

There are plenty of examples of teams that spend years at the bottom (Bobcats, Cavs etc) but a lot of people tend to overlook teams like the Spurs who turned things around twice with top draft picks - Admiral and Duncan, OKC - KD.

The difference between these teams is partly the way they went about their strategy to rebuild (and admittedly Spurs had a lot of luck picking great times to bottom out), but more than anything they drafted well. Spurs have always drafted well.

Bottoming out (it's not tanking unless you're trying to lose, and we're not doing that) is not necessarily the answer, but as long as those playing meaningful minutes put their heart into the game, I have no problems with a year of pain for a chance at one of Embiid, Parker, Wiggins or Exum. Even the consolation prizes (for me Randle and Smart) will help for the future.

If however, we go on a winning streak and get close to playoffs (therefore getting a lower lottery pick), I'm quite happy as well.

What I can't stand is if they miss the playoffs by a game or two with no development from Sully, Oly, CJ, Pressey etc.

[Future Celtics Owner]

Unless we make a trade soon I am afraid this post is right. I am actually more than afraid, I am sickened because the only person on the team I want in our long term future is Sully. So why let these guys up their career averages on our dam team.