That also doesn't answer the question of what you posit as a plan, or seeing worth in somethign different than your vision. I don't even know what you think. you dismiss any progress made, and you dismiss lottery (maybe? can't tell). So, what is your idea of a plan.
I don't believe the Celts are certain to be mired in mediocrity. In fact, I believe in Danny Ainge to find a way to the promised land again.
I just can't figure out a plausible path to get there right now. It's too murky. I spend so much time wracking my brain trying to figure out how the Celtics are going to become exciting and genuinely competitive again, and I just don't know. There's too much uncertainty. That's frustrating.
I'm sure there were plenty of Rockets fans that felt the same way a few years ago. A smart GM with assets and resources can make good stuff happen in just a few years time. But the Celts might not get lucky. We don't know.
I suppose it just bothers me when I feel that others are acting like there's a clear path, or that it's a sure thing. Because I don't see it. That's not to say it won't happen. But I can appreciate what people find appealing about the Sixers, and especially the Pelicans. Because the plan there is strikingly obvious, even if it is uncertain.
Pho, you're entirely right. The team isn't in a great position right now. It's very possible we'll be a 32-45 win team for the foreseeable future. We have a lot of middling assets to include in trades and some cap space. Plenty of teams can outbid us in the trade market and there are more desirable destinations for free agents. The team is very well managed, though. Ainge knows what he's doing. If the opportunity presents itself, he'll jump. The opportunity might not present itself. Not going to be shocked if we're trying to tank next year. It's not easy to land superstars and you can't compete without one.
I agree for the most part, and it's certainly frustrating to wonder what direction we are actually headed in. I think from listening to Ainge's explanations this season that he severely misjudged how well this team would perform post All Star break.
In my opinion he thought trading Rondo and Green would guarantee us a top 5 or 6 pick, and acquiring IT was a nice little cherry for seeing them go.
Some fans are in denial about it, but I don't there there's any doubt whatsoever that Ainge intended to bottom out this team this year. All his quotes this season paint the picture of a guy who is keenly aware that making the playoffs with a below .500 record and getting swept isn't very beneficial.
There's been 3 shifts this season, IMO.
#1 - Surround Rondo with superstar talent. Top target was Love. They would have tried to find some clever way to land Melo as well. Had we landed Love early enough, we would have tried to fill out the roster by making a play for very available players like Asik and Afflalo. - We failed to land the superstar and abandoned the plan.
#2 - Get rid of all quality vets and bottom out. Land the superstar prospect we failed to get by tanking last year. - That failed, because Stevens is an exceptional coach.
#3 - Oops.. we've played ourselves out of a Top 5 pick. Ugh. Well... at least give them a shot and hope we can carry the good vibes into free agency (hence trying to sign McGee). At least try to keep Stevens entertained so he doesn't jump ship to the College ranks (very real possibility in the next couple years if we don't continue forward momentum)
But the bulk of this season was dedicated to bottoming out again. Aside from Bass, we squeezed every last drop of value out of our veteran contributors. Had we added a top 5 pick to this roster, we'd be in pretty good position.
As for the Thomas trade... that was on the cusp of the team realizing they wouldn't be getting a top 5 pick. I think that was more just motivated by snatching up a valuable player on a discount. He's a more tradeable asset this summer than the pick we gave up. He helped us win a bit more, but it was clear even with him injured this team was overachieving their way into the also-ran playoff spot.
The Cs could have shot for a top 5 pick easily enough. Might not have made it because the bottom feeders whose rosters and rebuilding efforts you profess so much faith in suck so much, The Cs with 20 wins were on pace for 32 wins prior to the Thomas trade and
before Sullinger got injured. They won only six games last year after the ASG and it would not have been tough to end up near the same 25 wins without Rondo, Green, Sullinger, and Thomas. Still nowhere near the 15 wins you predicted for the Cs, but if Ainge was out to tank hard he could have.
Back on earth, Ainge jettisoned players that were likely to bolt in free agency for picks. Thereafter, he made trade after trade trying to accrete value through singles and doubles for players he was intrigued by. Thomas just happened to be the perfect fit as a scorer whose lack of defense was made up by AB, MS, and JC. We lost a bunch of games in the pre-ASG because lack of 4th quarter scoring and the one thing Thomas was sure to provide was 4th quarter scoring.
I am sure Ainge would have preferred substantial improvement in the team without a corresponding increase in wins, but that is a tough trick to pull off. Nonetheless, Ainge he was trying to improve the team, not tank as you claim. Tough to spin the Zeller or Prince or Thomas trades or the Turner signing any other way. You tried.