Was this playoff appearance worth it?

[Greyman]

Definitely worth it. The fact is we made it and need to make the most of it. Soak in the experience. No point in pontificating "If only we hadn't made the playoffs". The positives are numerable. Playoff experience for a young coach and a host of young players who will only be better with age and size (for some) next season. Definitely caught the eye of some possible additions for next year. Still have lots of assets to use. Some current players increased their value for trade purposes.

A crazy Cavs fan came here and started a thread that gave many laughs for a while. Now that wouldn't have happened if we didn't make the playoffs. Many realised through this how lucky we are not to live in Cleveland. Gotta be worth it.

[ChainSmokingLikeDino]

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.

This conversation is going on in multiple threads, so to answer the question here: maybe don't sweat it so much? I know that sounds glib but enjoy the present, appreciate the promise of the future. You will never have the answers. People throw around trade ideas on here all the time, and if I may say so, most of them are absolute lunacy. And why? Because they are crazy fan ideas that are so far removed from the actual workings of the NBA to be nonsense (or Simmons-sense). You and I will never have the insight and behind the scenes knowledge to know what Ainge knows. Does that suck? In one sense, yes. But it also means I'm not pretending that I have the blueprint in front of me. It means I am happy The Celtics have a great coach, a front office I trust, players I think can contribute to a succesful team. Looking around the league I can't even say that about a lot of teams. Speaking of The Pelicans I don't trust that front office and coaching staff much. Even The Thunder got question marks all over. Every team does. Even The Spurs for their future. So, if it is answers to a definite path, I don't have them. All I can say is I am not upset with the prospects for this franchises future.

Edit to add: As you say those plans are just as uncertain. Do you put more worth in that uncertainty than The Celtics uncertainty? A clear blueprint can still fail. I don't know if I'd rather be in The Sixers boat. Maybe? But it is all maybe. It is all up to so many random things. How close were the Lakers to getting Chris Paul? Extend that ad nauseum. One thing we do know is Danny Ainge is good at capitalizing on other GM's in desperate positions. That swings way more than ping pong balls or clear plans. See Houston. It took them waiting and amassing assets and the random, once in a million fact that Presti demanded an answer from Harden within an hour about a contract extension. Give Harden a day maybe he signs it (he has even said he doesn't know what he would have done). But they didn't and Houston was there to capitalize. And The Celtics are more primed to capitalize than any other team besides Philly right now (and they may not even want to).

[Celtics18]

Why the past tense?

We're still playing. 

[LarBrd33]

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.

[Drucci]

Yes, it's a valuable experience for Brad Stevens, Smart and our other inexperienced players. It also tells us which players are expendable or not - for example, I think this series (coupled with his previous playoff outings) shows that Bradley can't be considered a key part of our future so we should look to trade him.

On a personal level, it's also fun to watch the Celtics in the playoffs after a one-year absence.

[chambers]

It's fine considering we have so many Brooklyn picks and assets to move up the draft if we see/like a potential impact guy.
It's been fun to see our guys fight and wear the uniform with pride.

Problem for me is that some our major trade assets like Avery Bradley and Sullinger have been pretty quiet and done nothing for the most part- well Bradley was good tonight but there's only 1 game left for him to play well!
Whereas guys like Crowder and even Jerebko (today's game) look great, and they aren't signed to our roster next season- so we're showcasing guys for free agency without much return other than Marcus Smart, Evan Turner, Tyler Zeller and Kelly Olynyk's development. Thomas has looked okay but not as good as I'd hoped considering his defensive issues.
I think this series has been good for Evan Turner's trade value and I'd be surprised if Danny didn't search for some deals to get some value back on his $4 million contract for next season- plenty of playoff teams with late first round picks could use him.

If we imagine the very likely possibility that we don't re-sign any of our own pending free agents then the guys coming back next season experiencing this playoff series will be:

Smart
IT
Zeller (one year left)
Olynyk
Sully (one year left)
Bradley
Turner (one year left)

With Pressey, Young, Wallace and rookies off the bench.

Would have been nice to throw James Young into the playoffs and give him some experience. At least he's on the bench with them and hopefully it motivates him for the offseason.

[Csfan1984]

I'm going to say no.

[chambers]

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. The opposite has happened and it's basically because our coach has willed this team with every slight edge he can find.
Ainge probably wasn't expecting Datome and Jerebko to play so much, and probably wasn't expecting Thomas to be this good- but Stevens realizes that by playing our bench so much that it gives us a fighting chance in every game.

I think it all factors on if we can get a decent free agent or two, and I'd say the chances of that happening are pretty small. (Maybe 25%?)
If we could get Kevin Love and Khris Middleton then we are in the game.
If we don't get any major free agents, I think we might take a different path.

I mentioned in another post that I think it's very possible we see Ainge adjust to Steven's brilliance by doing some front office meddling or 'tanking' to a small extent.
How does he do this? Some examples:
*trade Avery Bradley who has been largely no where in this playoff series and is probably at the peak of his value with 3 years left on his new deal. Trade him for a lottery pick and attempt to move up and get someone like Winslow or a true All Star potential player. Bradley's ultimate career profile is a 6th man in the NBA so let's get a replacement for him who has a shot at being a real NBA starter.
* Don't re-sign Bass, Jerebko, Datome
* Only sign Crowder if it's a value deal. Keep in mind that Crowder's value is also great in the locker room so if we can sign him to a market value or below deal we are getting a great role model with our young guys every night. Otherwise search for guys like Crowder with multiple years left on their deals.
* Use our late first round and 2nd round picks to swing for the fences and let Stevens develop some athletic talent by utilizing their strengths -which he was famous for at Butler and why he was brought here for the long term.

No more role players in contract years. What's the point?

Just imagine if we could sign Kevin Love and Khris Middleton.
If those two guys were on our team right now there's a chance we're up 2-1.

[GreenWarrior]

I think we should define what "worth it" is first.

does making the playoffs get us any closer to 18, because that is the goal right? not in the least, not when the only reason we made it in is the fact that the east is horrible.

did Stevens do a good job this yr.? sure, but we did have a losing record no matter how you slice it. we should not have made the playoffs. we were the better of the worst.

we have a bunch of nice players, that don't amount to anything. you need stars in this league.

[SHAQATTACK]

Yes .....we started at near ground Zero ...dumped the whole team  except Bass ..who was so bad no body wanted him.....you can't tank anymore than that ....except hire purely bad players to put out on the court .

So not only does Danny have to replace the best players from the championship team , he has to develop,a new coach as well.

This was a good run for a inexperienced coach and rookies .


I think what was really exposed ....as people like to use it in a bad context mostly ....is this team and coach are actually better at this point than most folks expected. 

I'm happy we are exposed as pretty good rebuilding team so far.

[More Banners]

As difficult as it can be to emphasize hat ever play matters, to teach all effort, execution, and physical nature of playoff ball...there is nothing like experience to provide that lesson.

This is a step in the development of the roster, and the coach too. 

[Roy H.]

It certainly was for the fan base.  It was an exciting second half of the year, and we've had three competitive games so far.

It was for Brad Stevens.  He gained a ton of credibility.  Both Lebron and Love talked about how well-coached the Celtics are.  For a young coach, he's putting the label of "college coach" behind him, and is a guy that players respect.

It was for Wyc.  Making the playoffs helps the bottom line, both in terms of gate receipts and marketing.

It was for the players.  Gaining playoff experience now makes the team that much more ready when they're ready to actually compete, and they learned a lot about personal sacrifice for the greater good.

[LilRip]

I was going to hold off on answering these types of threads until the playoffs were officially over, but since this seems to be a hot topic now, I’ll bite.

Yes, these playoffs were "worth it". I say this for two reasons:
1. Playoff experience is invaluable (so I’ve read).
2. It put Boston back on the map, somewhat. There’s a reason why after the Rondo trade, everyone said the C’s would be one of the worst teams in the league. We were a group chock full of nobodies and unproven commodities. Admittedly, CBS is the current star of this team and if we have any chance of landing any FA, CBS will likely be the main selling point. But guys like Crowder and Zeller have some worth now instead of being some random throw-ins or cap-space fillers. IT and ET have both increased their stocks as well. And perhaps most importantly, we've actually forged our team identity of being tough, scrappy, and never-say-die.

That said, none of our guys (except maybe for Smart) are home run pieces. But I do believe that the playoff run validates how our role players are good enough to be included in future packages. All we need is that “over-the-top asset” ala Al Jefferson.

A high pick would’ve been nice this year, but that would’ve meant our players stink (as non-Celtics fans initially predicted) and our coach is pedestrian as well. Think about the Lakers situation. Outside of Kobe and Randle, none of those players have any worth.

I’m not going to go in-depth on the situation of the team since that’s been covered by posters before me but it seems like the only obvious answer on how to vastly improve this team is that there is no obvious answer, except for that we will need to get lucky at some point. I’m convinced DA is savvy enough to consistently put us in positions where we can get lucky. I don’t think this playoff run hurt us, and I’m eager to see the growth in our players (particularly Smart and KO) next year.

[RockinRyA]

Yeah, although I wouldve preferred the 8th seed, slightly better draft pick and I think we wouldve gotten more playoff games if we faced the hawks instead of the cavs. We dont match up well with the cavs.

[Celtics4ever]

I have enjoyed, watching us play more, but I hope we win at least one game but it looks grim for us.

I have always thought the pick would be worth more, a lot of this talent we have is going to walk on us or be gone.   I think a lot of the supports of this, ignore this fact completely.  How will this experience help us if it is traded or walks out the door?  But that being said, the pick is a crap shoot.   No promise that it pans out either.

I think it was good for CBS, I am not sure a guy looks at our team and sees the potential there.   We have been overmatched at most positions.  A guy might like what he sees or it might have the opposite effect.   It has shown me that we play hard but we still lack talent.  I never thought we could beat the Cavs though, but I did not think we would get swept.

We won't be able to tell for a few years whether it was worth it.  Once we see how WCS develops as a pro because that it what it cost us.   If Ainge thinks it was a poor draft then it was worth it but that remains to be seen.