Realistic goal: Win the Atlantic

[Hemingway]

As great as being in the East is because its easier, the same can be said for the Atlantic division. Making the playoffs was a big success for us this year, winning the Atlantic can be that for us next year. I hear a lot of talk about contention being an all or nothing- either we get 2 stars or we should tank. We just needd to keep getting better and keep our flexibility (which with the rising cap is pretty hard not to keep at this point.)

We can argue all day about how "far off" we are from being a top team, but I don't think we are that far away from beating the Raptors. 1 star or 2 legit starter types should do it.

[Evantime34]

Tp !

At the end of the year we were better than the raptors, which was evident head to head and second half recordwise.

I also don't see the Knicks nets or sixers outpacing us

[chambers]

It's a good goal.
How about making the 2nd round of the playoffs as a realistic but tough goal?
We'd need to get lucky in free agency but one player at SF or C could help us tremendously.

[chambers]

Tp !

At the end of the year we were better than the raptors, which was evident head to head and second half recordwise.

I also don't see the Knicks nets or sixers outpacing us

I think the Knicks could easily be a top 4 Eastern team given their cap room+Healthy Carmelo+ high draft pick.
Good chance they add at least one All Star caliber player with Carmelo and could also trade their pick for another high caliber stud.(or draft one ie Dangelo Russell or Mudiay who could come in straight away and have an impact).

I worry that a lot of teams that should have been better than us this year, will catch up to where they should be this season. Pistons without Smith, Knicks with Carmelo, Pacers with Paul George, Nets with Lopez and Young+Williams+Johnson etc, Bobcats with Walker +Jefferson being healthy.

If we don't add any free agents and just add via the draft I think there's every chance we are a good 5-10 wins out of the playoffs.

[Hemingway]

It's a good goal.
How about making the 2nd round of the playoffs as a realistic but tough goal?
We'd need to get lucky in free agency but one player at SF or C could help us tremendously.

they go together. If we win the atlantic the earliest we should see lbj in round 2

[SHAQATTACK]

There will be more moves , some may take us backward .....then forward .

[Celtics4ever]

I agree we may backward and then forward.

[Hemingway]

It is certainly a Danny thing to be comfortable taking a step back because he knows its two steps forward later. However, I think these coming cap increases have changed the game. Now Danny is taking 3 steps back if he lets the team get worse. Thankfully most of the team is under contract so we don't have to worry about losing our better guys. I doubt anyone wants Bass or Jerebko and Crowder just got hurt so teams may think twice about giving him a huge offer sheet. So we are in good shape- easy to not lose ground and the assets, hopefully to take some ground.

[LGC88]

I think Phil Jackson will manage to build a descent team next season. There are too many good and dumb players that will choose NY. In addition with Carmelo + a top rookie from the draft, and that should be enough to win the division next season.

[greece66]

I like this thread. TP @ Hemingway.
I also think winning the Atlantic could be an attainable goal.
Which makes all the more interesting following developments in the other teams.
As things were at the end of the regular season, we were at least as good as Toronto and Nets, better than Detroit, and much better than Philly and Knicks.
Having said this, it is early to say what the balance of power will be in September.
But we are well positioned to at least try being better placed than the rest for the regular season.

[clover]

This is only a consolation-prize realistic goal for if Danny fails to find a way to cash in on his assets this summer.

Too soon to set such a ceiling.

[greece66]

@Clover


PS Bacon is an expert when it comes to breakfasts

[GC003332]

I know there has been a lot of talk recently about getting rid of divisions and what not, picture this scenario.
The Heat get Bosh fully healthy resign Dragic , George comes back fully healthy for the Pacers.
Toronto stand pat, you could have a situation that the Atlantic Division winner has only the Ninth best record in the conference but gets a top 4 seed.
Strange days indeed.

[Hemingway]

This is only a consolation-prize realistic goal for if Danny fails to find a way to cash in on his assets this summer.

Too soon to set such a ceiling.

You realize if you went 82-0 you would still win the atlantic right?

[greece66]

This is only a consolation-prize realistic goal for if Danny fails to find a way to cash in on his assets this summer.

Too soon to set such a ceiling.

You realize if you went 82-0 you would still win the atlantic right?