Will the Celtics be tanking in 2015?

[Mr October]

Does anyone realize how easy it is to field a competitive team in the NBA right now?

Just wondering.

It's not really rocket science or a geometry equation.

Pick up some decent players this summer (they don't even have to be superstars like Love or Melo) and we are right back in the playoffs again next year.

If anyone is waiting for the Celtics to draft the next Lebron in one of the upcoming drafts, I am afraid you are going to be disappointed.

I don't think it will be that easy. In free agency the celtics only have enough space to sign one slightly above mid level guy. And that guy might be Avery Bradley.

Meanwhile we lose experienced depth when Bayless and Humphries walk. In their place could be 2 rookies who will make more mistakes than those 2 during their rookie year. If Rondo is traded, it would probably be for youth.

The only way i see a return to the playoffs is a semi splashy trade for a center like Asik, maybe Sanders.

Which is part of my point.

Pick up a decent center (which by today's standards is like having another Kareem Abdul Jabar), add a couple decent scorers (Ray Allen/JJ Redick types) and you've got yourself a pretty good team. Probably even better than you'd expect.

When I see teams like the Bobcats, Wizards and Raptors flourishing in the EC, I can't imagine raking up 40-45 wins in the East is going to be difficult.

Now, if we are talking about getting reaching Miami/Indiana status, that's another story.

However, I've never been one to subscribe to the belief that if you can't beat Miami then there's no point in being competitive.

Remember, Miami is either one Lebron injury or one Chris Bosh departure to free agency away from being much worse than they are now.

By the time the celtics are contenders, James will be in decline anyway. You just have to build the best team you can, and not worry about the others. You are right that luck and health are huge factors in NBA success.

The center pin for a return to the playoffs is the acquisition of a defensive center. It is such a gaping hole on this team. There aren't many of them available though. It'll be interesting to see if Ainge is ready to give up value this summer for one of those guys.

[mmmmm]

No chance.  They had a free pass this season due to the way the season ticket process works.  Most of this season's tickets were sold (renewed) last season.  That will change this offseason and there will be pressure to get people to the arena.

this was a draft class worth tanking for

Funny, there are no more crappy teams 'in the tank' this year than any other year.

Less than last year, in fact.

Irrelevant.

Boston tanked this year.  Boston didn't tank last year.  This was a year worth tanking for us.  I dont' care about anyone else.

That's fair.  You must be of the opinion that the Celtics don't need to draft a center, then.  Because this draft is most 'tank worthy' in other positions, not that one.   Pretty weak, in fact.

Rootin' for Wiggins!

Would any year that the Celtics were really bad in be a draft class worth tanking for?

[Donoghus]

No chance.  They had a free pass this season due to the way the season ticket process works.  Most of this season's tickets were sold (renewed) last season.  That will change this offseason and there will be pressure to get people to the arena.

this was a draft class worth tanking for

Funny, there are no more crappy teams 'in the tank' this year than any other year.

Less than last year, in fact.

Irrelevant.

Boston tanked this year.  Boston didn't tank last year.  This was a year worth tanking for us.  I dont' care about anyone else.

That's fair.  You must be of the opinion that the Celtics don't need to draft a center, then.  Because this draft is most 'tank worthy' in other positions, not that one.   Pretty weak, in fact.

Rootin' for Wiggins!

Would any year that the Celtics were really bad in be a draft class worth tanking for?

'77-78 and the subsequent draft ended up turning out alright. That was just a bad Celtics team, though.  Don't think they were tanking.

[Cman]

I don't think the Cs will "tank", but I don't think they will be playoff bound. We are one year into what I imagine is a 3-4 year process of a rebuild. These rebuilds are not done overnight, no matter how much we might hope.

[PhoSita]

When I see teams like the Bobcats, Wizards and Raptors flourishing in the EC, I can't imagine raking up 40-45 wins in the East is going to be difficult.

I don't think you're really giving these teams enough credit. 

The Raptors had two All-Star caliber players this season in Lowry and Derozan.  Valanciunas and Amir Johnson is an underrated defensive frontcourt.

The Bobcats had Big Al -- second most valuable big man in the Eastern Conference behind Joakim Noah. 

The Wizards had John Wall (best season yet), Gortat (very nice as always), and Beal (deadly high usage shooter).


It'll be hard for the Celtics to beat Atlanta's trio of Teague - Millsap - Horford next season, too, if they're all healthy.


These teams have quality players.  Unless Rondo totally returns to form next season -- and then some -- or one of the young guys for the Celtics takes a leap to All-Star status, there's a good chance the Cs are inferior to all of those teams next season, even if they trade for Sanders / Asik.