Celtics will be better than anticipated this year

[Beat LA]

Yes I do, unfortunately, given their inability to accept that we always get screwed in the lottery, regardless of our record, and next year's draft is supposed to be loaded with guys who can solve our deficiencies inside, on both ends.  Would I like those guys?  Of course - who wouldn't?  Are we going to get any of them on the other hand - no, absolutely not, and if we do, they'll end up being a bust haha.

We drafted Cowens, Bird, McHale and Russell and you think we always get screwed?

Okay, lately then.  Bird was a special case, and we traded for McHale's draft pick and Russell's, so that disqualifies them from this discussion to me, anyway.  Plus, with Cowens, there weren't nearly as many teams then as there are now, so rebuilding could be done much faster.  Not so much today, though.  Sigh. 

[D.o.s.]

We've now got two Jordan Crawfords but they both play poorer defense.

Your post was awesome, but I cracked up at this. Imagine anyone posting this last year.

[loco_91]

Better than anticipated is a broad statement.

In terms if wins what do you think the general expectation is?

And then part two of my question, how many wins would be better than anticipated?

I think they have a lot of nice young players, and have nice depth at positions 1-4. Hopefully Zeller will surprise us at center. I still see a lack of shooting ability from the guard positions, a lot of undisciplined youth, Sully's unknown weight status, a lack of go-to players in the last 4 minutes of the 4th quarter.

I am excited about the future too though. Smart should become a heck of a player. I like all the young role players. And that stack of picks should yield something nice over the next few years via trade, drafting.

agreed. C's can be decent without any big moves, just player development. But we are two BIG pieces away from being actually good: we need a go-to scorer who can create his own shot, and a legit starting center.

I think we have a 30-35 win team next year. Bad, but not basement. We have a shot at .500 and the playoffs if things go better than expected-- would take a few things, Rondo stepping it up a notch, getting a contribution from Smart and Zeller, someone out of KO Sully and AB stepping up with a career year. I think the most likely route there is that Rondo is great, Smart develops to the point that we can run basically a 3 guard rotation, and KO breaks out as our starting PF.

[Smokeeye123]

Horrible news then, Hoping they trade Rondo and have the worst record in the league next year. Anybody hoping for playoffs or wins is lost at this point.

It's all about 18 not getting swept in the first round and being a treadmill team. Boston is a championship or bust city.

[Smokeeye123]

I will add though that if Smart somehow becomes the rookie of the year and a franchise player, Sully becomes david west, and Kelly becomes Dirk I will be fine with making the playoffs or whatever, I just doubt this will happen

[MBunge]

I thought we had the talent to be better last season.  Not a lot better but a little.  That talent will be better next season.  Rondo will be better.  KO and Sully will be better.  Smart will be better than Pressey.  Turner will be better than Wallace.  Zeller/Vitor/Anthony will be better than the center corps we started with last season.  Stevens should also be better.

But what do I know.

Mike

[Future Celtics Owner]

Yes I do, unfortunately, given their inability to accept that we always get screwed in the lottery, regardless of our record, and next year's draft is supposed to be loaded with guys who can solve our deficiencies inside, on both ends.  Would I like those guys?  Of course - who wouldn't?  Are we going to get any of them on the other hand - no, absolutely not, and if we do, they'll end up being a bust haha.

We drafted Cowens, Bird, McHale and Russell and you think we always get screwed?

We were statistically likeliest to get the 6th pick. It was not like the Duncan draft at all. I think we did a hell of a job in the draft this year with Smart and Young. And this coming draft we will prob have a top 8 pick and draft a big guy to seal up the center position.

[Chris22]

I thought we had the talent to be better last season.  Not a lot better but a little.  That talent will be better next season.  Rondo will be better.  KO and Sully will be better.  Smart will be better than Pressey.  Turner will be better than Wallace.  Zeller/Vitor/Anthony will be better than the center corps we started with last season.  Stevens should also be better.

But what do I know.

Mike

We could of been better, but we were trying to lose last season.
I don't think that will be the case this year.

[Mazingerz]

I will add though that if Smart somehow becomes the rookie of the year and a franchise player, Sully becomes david west, and Kelly becomes Dirk I will be fine with making the playoffs or whatever, I just doubt this will happen

You mean I sacrificed two goats and a lamb for nothing? 

[Celtics4ever]

so that disqualifies them from this discussion to me, anyway

Does that make all the picks recently acquired disqualified too?

Lottery is always based off luck.  Drafting is not but there is a degree of luck on whether a kid gets injured.

[Onslaught]

We've lost veteran players and could lose more before this is all over with. And we 'be added young kids. That can help way down the road if these kids get good. But for this year it will hurt.

Other then Rondo being better I don't see anything to make me think this year will be better. Please don't say the development of some of the overrated players on this site like KO are going to be the ones to put us over the top.

The east still stinks but has got a little harder this year. No way the Celtics make the playoffs. All the playoff teams from last year are still better then us. And now you add one new team in the Cavs to that list.

And I'm ok with this. I figured it take a minimum of 5 years to rebuild and have a respectable team. This is year two of that rebuild and I'm ok with how things are going.

[Stizz44]

I got the East Playoff hunt looking like this:

Lock for playoffs:
Cleveland
Chicago
Washington
Charlotte
Miami
Toronto
Indiana


Fight for 8th seed

Brooklyn
New York
Detroit
Boston
Atlanta


Lottery Land
Orlando
Milwaukee
Philly

Celtics can def put up a fight this season and make the playoffs. Atlanta may realize its time to tank again. Brooklyn is another injury away from disaster. New York isnt anything special.

[Onslaught]

I see all the teams you listed fighting for the 8th spot being better then us. By "better" I'm not saying good teams. Just better then we are right now. It is what it is guys. Our team stinks. But that's how things work.

[manl_lui]

I got the East Playoff hunt looking like this:

Lock for playoffs:
Cleveland
Chicago
Washington
Charlotte
Miami
Toronto
Indiana


Fight for 8th seed

Brooklyn
New York
Detroit
Boston
Atlanta


Lottery Land
Orlando
Milwaukee
Philly

Celtics can def put up a fight this season and make the playoffs. Atlanta may realize its time to tank again. Brooklyn is another injury away from disaster. New York isnt anything special.

I have a feeling Atlanta will make playoffs this year with Al Horford coming back and with Milsap. For some odd reason, I think it is another hit or miss season for Toronto. Charlotte could still be anywhere between 6, 7th or out of playoffs. I honestly DO believe that the 8th seed is WIDE open for the taking for teams like us.

[Onslaught]

Charlotte is a lock.