Celtics have a decent chance to make the playoffs

[SHAQATTACK]

One thing for sure ....

We ll need Thornton,  Bass and Prince to get it done . 

Without those vets and Wallace too to stabilize the team ....the odds really fall off IMO

[Kuberski33]

Fortunately or unfortunately (depending on your view on tanking) CBS is getting about as much as you can out his roster.  Only way to prevent us from getting to playoffs is Danny deals off Prince, Thornton and/or Bass -- or Smart or Sully get hurt.

Lost in this little surge is that Sully has really picked up his game.

[KeepRondo]

I'm not so sure Olynyk coming back helps our chances at making the playoffs. Maybe this might need it's own thread but I think the shortened rotation has helped. I also think Bass and Zeller are better defenders then Olynyk. And unfortunately Olynyk still goes through those clumsy stretches when he absolutely kills us on Offense and Defense.

[Tr1boy]

Bass, Prince and Thornton don't actually make us a young team. That would be a horrible way to back into the playoffs IMO. If young guys get us there so be it, old guys that will be gone next year would be brutal.

TP for you, this is how I feel exactly.  If Smart and Young were leading the way, I would be all in on a playoff run.  However, it's the vets that have a huge hand in these games.  That's why I think DA, moves Bass, Thornton and Prince by the deadline.

I disagree.  It's not huge .  Everyone else is doing their part.   But I do agree without these three vets we will definitely not make the playoffs.  Marcus Thornton almost single handedly kept us in the Hawks game in the middle part of the game.  Prince was good. Bass was good

Even though these guys might not be here, the young guys will get to learn alot from them from now until the end of the season.  If we make the playoffs, I expect a guy like Prince to be a really important figure in the locker room.    CBS ears is wide open when Prince ever comes to talk to him in between whistles

Believe it or not we have won 7 out of 12 games now. 

[slamtheking]

I'm not so sure Olynyk coming back helps our chances at making the playoffs. Maybe this might need it's own thread but I think the shortened rotation has helped. I also think Bass and Zeller are better defenders then Olynyk. And unfortunately Olynyk still goes through those clumsy stretches when he absolutely kills us on Offense and Defense.

I've been noticing this myself the past few games.  It'll be interesting to see the effect KO has on the game when he returns --> does he now add to the improved play we've seen lately or do things digress where we play like we did the majority of the season.

[Tr1boy]

I'm not so sure Olynyk coming back helps our chances at making the playoffs. Maybe this might need it's own thread but I think the shortened rotation has helped. I also think Bass and Zeller are better defenders then Olynyk. And unfortunately Olynyk still goes through those clumsy stretches when he absolutely kills us on Offense and Defense.

I've been noticing this myself the past few games.  It'll be interesting to see the effect KO has on the game when he returns --> does he now add to the improved play we've seen lately or do things digress where we play like we did the majority of the season.

He is going to contribute. I don't get the hate. Has KO been responsible for alot of our loses?  He tries to avoid mistakes which sometimes is the issue. But he is not committing careless turnoevers etc.     He does need to shoot more and be less aggressive at times on defense. But the effort is there.  Skills are there .  Opposing announcers are usually impressed by KO

[KeepRondo]

I'm not so sure Olynyk coming back helps our chances at making the playoffs. Maybe this might need it's own thread but I think the shortened rotation has helped. I also think Bass and Zeller are better defenders then Olynyk. And unfortunately Olynyk still goes through those clumsy stretches when he absolutely kills us on Offense and Defense.

I've been noticing this myself the past few games.  It'll be interesting to see the effect KO has on the game when he returns --> does he now add to the improved play we've seen lately or do things digress where we play like we did the majority of the season.

He is going to contribute. I don't get the hate. Has KO been responsible for alot of our loses?  He tries to avoid mistakes which sometimes is the issue. But he is not committing careless turnoevers etc.     He does need to shoot more and be less aggressive at times on defense. But the effort is there.  Skills are there .  Opposing announcers are usually impressed by KO

You are right. His effort is not a problem. But even if you think he can contribute, don't you think this at least causes a problem with the rotation again?

[Tr1boy]

I'm not so sure Olynyk coming back helps our chances at making the playoffs. Maybe this might need it's own thread but I think the shortened rotation has helped. I also think Bass and Zeller are better defenders then Olynyk. And unfortunately Olynyk still goes through those clumsy stretches when he absolutely kills us on Offense and Defense.

I've been noticing this myself the past few games.  It'll be interesting to see the effect KO has on the game when he returns --> does he now add to the improved play we've seen lately or do things digress where we play like we did the majority of the season.

He is going to contribute. I don't get the hate. Has KO been responsible for alot of our loses?  He tries to avoid mistakes which sometimes is the issue. But he is not committing careless turnoevers etc.     He does need to shoot more and be less aggressive at times on defense. But the effort is there.  Skills are there .  Opposing announcers are usually impressed by KO

You are right. His effort is not a problem. But even if you think he can contribute, don't you think this at least causes a problem with the rotation again?

I think without KO what has happened is the lineup is playing "together" more. Not just the loss of KO but also Green etc.

Guys are like all attacking for the defensive rebound. Boxing out. Double teaming, rotating better   

When KO and Sully started earlier this season this was not really the case . Not on a consistent basis.  Now guys like Smart, Crowder , Prince are not just standing around after a jump shot

KO adds 3 pt shooting, passing, drive and finish ability. On the defensive end, he is mobile and as of right now without a finished body, tries to work with the team to box out, grab rebounds, take charges.

If you ask him to try to stop Gasol on his own, or ask him to score the next 10 pts, then people will be disappointed. 

I can see him  only adding to what is going on vs causing issues   

[mmmmm]

I think more realistic assessment of what has happened is we have reaped the benefits of a much easier schedule than we started the season with.

Not only was late December and parts of January & early February loaded with weaker teams than the gauntlet of November, but we also had the good fortune to hit certain 'good' teams when they were suddenly struggling, missing key stars.

That schedule fortune should continue in the initial games after the break, as 4 of the next 5 games are against teams that are ranked below the Celtics in SRS rating.

After that, though, we go through a stretch where 8 of 12 are ranked higher than the C's currently are (and for most of the season have been) ranked.

If we hold to form, beating the teams that are ranked below us and losing to the teams ranked above us, we should, in the end, end up right around the 8th seed in the East (we are currently ranked 8th in SRS among Eastern teams, 19th overall).

We have been ranked right around 19th overall since early in the season, btw.   Even though we were losing games, our schedule was much tougher and our losing margins were reflective of the team being better than the W-L record - thus SRS tends to prove out over time.

If Danny doesn't make major roster changes then that is likely how things will pan out.  If he makes big roster changes at the deadline, who knows?

[greece66]

i/Paul George is planning to return in mid-March
ii/With Hassan Whiteside MIA has a superior team over Boston (I am sure we all remember that game)
iii/Detroit has improved a lot.
Conclusion: even if we keep all our vets, and KO comes back ready and healthy, playoffs are far from a certainty.
Hence the high risk (trying to get in the playoffs and then finish 9th)
I think Plan A in Danny's mind is a good trade for our three vets. It especially makes sense since they all have ONE year contracts.
Playoffs is at best a risky plan B.