We are in an unfortunate situation

[D.o.s.]

I agree with the opinion that we have a really, really, good bench. The problem is that they're starting right now.

[chambers]

If Aldridge & Mathiews decide to sign here, you are in contention for 4 years and 1 PG away to be favorite in the East.
And the good part is that you still have plenty of picks.
To me it's harder to find a great coach and create an excellent team chemistry with depth.
Danny ainge only need to wait for the opportunity. It might come soon (Aldridge) or later, but it will come.
At last, I don't understand why "Smart is not good enough". If you expect he's the next Lebron or Westbroock, you are right. For all we know, he might be the next Wade.

To get around Lebron James we're going to need another bonafide star.
Aldridge, Mathews, and a point guard probably ain't gonna cut it.

[Nemam Nabytek]

i'm new to the blog and i'm an optimist; been following the C's since the 1960s and was a season ticket holder in the 80s. i disagree that we're in an unfortunate situation. one reason is that we arguably played the cavs tougher than anyone else so far; we have great depth and a coach whose approach is that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. our team is young, and increasingly professional, as evidenced by its success on back-to-backs last season. and then, there's this: we made a 15 game improvement last season! i'm looking for james young to be a contributor next season, for sully to be a beast, for crowder to continue to be the leader, for IT to throw in 20 ppg. with 3 roster moves this upcoming season and perhaps the same number next year, we're right back in contention.   

[footey]

If Aldridge & Mathiews decide to sign here, you are in contention for 4 years and 1 PG away to be favorite in the East.
And the good part is that you still have plenty of picks.
To me it's harder to find a great coach and create an excellent team chemistry with depth.
Danny ainge only need to wait for the opportunity. It might come soon (Aldridge) or later, but it will come.
At last, I don't understand why "Smart is not good enough". If you expect he's the next Lebron or Westbroock, you are right. For all we know, he might be the next Wade.

To get around Lebron James we're going to need another bonafide star.
Aldridge, Mathews, and a point guard probably ain't gonna cut it.

How about Father Time? Still undefeated...

[chambers]

If Aldridge & Mathiews decide to sign here, you are in contention for 4 years and 1 PG away to be favorite in the East.
And the good part is that you still have plenty of picks.
To me it's harder to find a great coach and create an excellent team chemistry with depth.
Danny ainge only need to wait for the opportunity. It might come soon (Aldridge) or later, but it will come.
At last, I don't understand why "Smart is not good enough". If you expect he's the next Lebron or Westbroock, you are right. For all we know, he might be the next Wade.

To get around Lebron James we're going to need another bonafide star.
Aldridge, Mathews, and a point guard probably ain't gonna cut it.

How about Father Time? Still undefeated...

Yeah, unfortunately for Aldridge he's about to turn 30 so being 6 months younger than Lebron ain't helping.
it's one of the arguments to go after Love at age 26 instead of LMA.

[chambers]

I think the most important thing to remember is that our GM understands that we need a star to win.
He isn't going to keep this platoon of hardworking, enthusiastic role players together forever.
He's going to turn every stone until we have multiple stars.

So although our situation may be 'unfortunate', and we are like 85% of NBA teams that don't have a realistic shot at a title right now, we have a GM that understands star power in the NBA and will do everything he can to put us in that top 15% of NBA teams that can truly compete.

How good is Danny Ainge?
Even he said in the middle of the season about the Atlanta Hawks:
' I don't agree that the Hawks are a true championship caliber team. They are a great team and their management and coach have done a fantastic job, but I think once the playoffs come around, we'll see their lack of true star power in effect'.

And then they were demolished by the Cavs and their true star/s.

Feels good to have this guy in charge, loaded with picks and young assets.

[Moranis]

I don't argue with making the playoffs - teams should try and win. I do not think our four and out will attract any free agents, however.

I don't think we will be any good for many years. Smart is not good enough. Olynyk and Sullinger and James Young are not good enough; and Zeller is good enough to be a back-up, but not good enough to be a major cog in the machine.

It is a sad thing, but I do not think we will get anyone at 16 or 28 who will matter THAT much in our rebuilding. Stevens is a great coach, but he doesn't have THAT much to work with here. If, casual fans, we can all recognize that Kevin Looney and Chris McCollough are not game changers, then don't you think rival executives can see that?

It is unfortunate, but we are not in a position to make a splash this off-season, and I am afraid we don't have much to look forward to next year

I think we're actually a lot closer to a championship-contending team than given credit for, especially in the East. A legitimate contender must have an effective starting line-up and a solid bench (even with Lopez, Matthews, Aldridge and Lillard, blazers were still first round fodder just like us). Our approach has been to add solid players that could in the future become a very effective bench, if not starters.

Smart, Young, Sully, KO may very well be stars in the making they've only been here for 3 seasons. Everyone keeps forgetting that stars can also be drafted and groomed and not only traded for...

I don't think anyone has forgotten that: some posters just don't see star potential in anyone currently on our roster.

The thing is, you know almost immediately if a player has a real shot at being a franchise player, an all star, or even a starter.  It is very rare that you don't have an idea as early as a player's rookie season.  Now sure they are raw and have a lot of improvement to make to reach full potential, but it isn't like you didn't know Lebron James, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, etc. were going to be very good players almost immediately.  The Jermaine O'Neal's and Steve Nash's of the world are very much the exception to the rule. 

No one currently on Boston has franchise level talent or we would have seen it already.  Smart has a chance to be an all world defender, but he is never going to be a franchise player as he just isn't good enough offensively and is a guard (which minimizes his defensive impact).  Everyone else could be a 4th or 5th starter on a championship team level at best.   

[Celtics18]

I don't argue with making the playoffs - teams should try and win. I do not think our four and out will attract any free agents, however.

I don't think we will be any good for many years. Smart is not good enough. Olynyk and Sullinger and James Young are not good enough; and Zeller is good enough to be a back-up, but not good enough to be a major cog in the machine.

It is a sad thing, but I do not think we will get anyone at 16 or 28 who will matter THAT much in our rebuilding. Stevens is a great coach, but he doesn't have THAT much to work with here. If, casual fans, we can all recognize that Kevin Looney and Chris McCollough are not game changers, then don't you think rival executives can see that?

It is unfortunate, but we are not in a position to make a splash this off-season, and I am afraid we don't have much to look forward to next year

I think we're actually a lot closer to a championship-contending team than given credit for, especially in the East. A legitimate contender must have an effective starting line-up and a solid bench (even with Lopez, Matthews, Aldridge and Lillard, blazers were still first round fodder just like us). Our approach has been to add solid players that could in the future become a very effective bench, if not starters.

Smart, Young, Sully, KO may very well be stars in the making they've only been here for 3 seasons. Everyone keeps forgetting that stars can also be drafted and groomed and not only traded for...

I don't think anyone has forgotten that: some posters just don't see star potential in anyone currently on our roster.

The thing is, you know almost immediately if a player has a real shot at being a franchise player, an all star, or even a starter. It is very rare that you don't have an idea as early as a player's rookie season.  Now sure they are raw and have a lot of improvement to make to reach full potential, but it isn't like you didn't know Lebron James, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, etc. were going to be very good players almost immediately.  The Jermaine O'Neal's and Steve Nash's of the world are very much the exception to the rule. 

No one currently on Boston has franchise level talent or we would have seen it already.  Smart has a chance to be an all world defender, but he is never going to be a franchise player as he just isn't good enough offensively and is a guard (which minimizes his defensive impact).  Everyone else could be a 4th or 5th starter on a championship team level at best.

You're probably right about the first one.  I don't think there are many players in that "franchise" category that there wasn't a fairly good indication of their stardom starting with their rookie season (maybe Dirk and Kobe).

The league is littered with all stars and good starters who were far from surefire hits in their first season or two, though. 

[Csfan1984]

I don't argue with making the playoffs - teams should try and win. I do not think our four and out will attract any free agents, however.

I don't think we will be any good for many years. Smart is not good enough. Olynyk and Sullinger and James Young are not good enough; and Zeller is good enough to be a back-up, but not good enough to be a major cog in the machine.

It is a sad thing, but I do not think we will get anyone at 16 or 28 who will matter THAT much in our rebuilding. Stevens is a great coach, but he doesn't have THAT much to work with here. If, casual fans, we can all recognize that Kevin Looney and Chris McCollough are not game changers, then don't you think rival executives can see that?

It is unfortunate, but we are not in a position to make a splash this off-season, and I am afraid we don't have much to look forward to next year

I think we're actually a lot closer to a championship-contending team than given credit for, especially in the East. A legitimate contender must have an effective starting line-up and a solid bench (even with Lopez, Matthews, Aldridge and Lillard, blazers were still first round fodder just like us). Our approach has been to add solid players that could in the future become a very effective bench, if not starters.

Smart, Young, Sully, KO may very well be stars in the making they've only been here for 3 seasons. Everyone keeps forgetting that stars can also be drafted and groomed and not only traded for...

I don't think anyone has forgotten that: some posters just don't see star potential in anyone currently on our roster.

The thing is, you know almost immediately if a player has a real shot at being a franchise player, an all star, or even a starter.  It is very rare that you don't have an idea as early as a player's rookie season.  Now sure they are raw and have a lot of improvement to make to reach full potential, but it isn't like you didn't know Lebron James, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, etc. were going to be very good players almost immediately.  The Jermaine O'Neal's and Steve Nash's of the world are very much the exception to the rule. 

No one currently on Boston has franchise level talent or we would have seen it already.  Smart has a chance to be an all world defender, but he is never going to be a franchise player as he just isn't good enough offensively and is a guard (which minimizes his defensive impact).  Everyone else could be a 4th or 5th starter on a championship team level at best.

I'd say with franchise players they give you belief early because they show up big early or flash some amazing things. Smart could still be that as he had some big time plays. More reasons to believe Smart can be one is he has had to deal with an inconsistent role, roster as well as an injury. You can not write off Smart as a franchise player just yet.

[loco_91]

So pessimistic. We have a dynamic backcourt trio in Smart, AB and IT, we have solid roleplayers in Sully, Olynyk, Zeller, Crowder. And most of all, we have so much potential: Cap space, James Young, an enviable surplus of 1st-round picks. We are hardly on the verge of the banner, and we lack a superstar. But we're in much better position than most rebuilding teams in the league.

[Celtics4ever]

So pessimistic. We have a dynamic backcourt trio in Smart, AB and IT, we have solid roleplayers in Sully, Olynyk, Zeller, Crowde

I wish I was this optimistic but a thing called realism always wakes me up from dreams like this one.

[GratefulCs]

So pessimistic. We have a dynamic backcourt trio in Smart, AB and IT, we have solid roleplayers in Sully, Olynyk, Zeller, Crowde

I wish I was this optimistic but a thing called realism always wakes me up from dreams like this one.

realism doesn't REALLY exist anyway. It's all just viewpoints


Hop on the optimist bandwagon!


There's plenty of room any the weather is always great!

[Moranis]

I don't argue with making the playoffs - teams should try and win. I do not think our four and out will attract any free agents, however.

I don't think we will be any good for many years. Smart is not good enough. Olynyk and Sullinger and James Young are not good enough; and Zeller is good enough to be a back-up, but not good enough to be a major cog in the machine.

It is a sad thing, but I do not think we will get anyone at 16 or 28 who will matter THAT much in our rebuilding. Stevens is a great coach, but he doesn't have THAT much to work with here. If, casual fans, we can all recognize that Kevin Looney and Chris McCollough are not game changers, then don't you think rival executives can see that?

It is unfortunate, but we are not in a position to make a splash this off-season, and I am afraid we don't have much to look forward to next year

I think we're actually a lot closer to a championship-contending team than given credit for, especially in the East. A legitimate contender must have an effective starting line-up and a solid bench (even with Lopez, Matthews, Aldridge and Lillard, blazers were still first round fodder just like us). Our approach has been to add solid players that could in the future become a very effective bench, if not starters.

Smart, Young, Sully, KO may very well be stars in the making they've only been here for 3 seasons. Everyone keeps forgetting that stars can also be drafted and groomed and not only traded for...

I don't think anyone has forgotten that: some posters just don't see star potential in anyone currently on our roster.

The thing is, you know almost immediately if a player has a real shot at being a franchise player, an all star, or even a starter. It is very rare that you don't have an idea as early as a player's rookie season.  Now sure they are raw and have a lot of improvement to make to reach full potential, but it isn't like you didn't know Lebron James, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, etc. were going to be very good players almost immediately.  The Jermaine O'Neal's and Steve Nash's of the world are very much the exception to the rule. 

No one currently on Boston has franchise level talent or we would have seen it already.  Smart has a chance to be an all world defender, but he is never going to be a franchise player as he just isn't good enough offensively and is a guard (which minimizes his defensive impact).  Everyone else could be a 4th or 5th starter on a championship team level at best.

You're probably right about the first one.  I don't think there are many players in that "franchise" category that there wasn't a fairly good indication of their stardom starting with their rookie season (maybe Dirk and Kobe).

The league is littered with all stars and good starters who were far from surefire hits in their first season or two, though.

I think if you actually started looking at the starters on true legit contenders and then looked at their rookie years, I think you would be surprised at how much potential they showed.  Obviously they aren't nearly as good or as consistent as rookies, but you saw it. 

I could totally see Smart, Sullinger and Olynyk as being a 4th or 5th starter on a real contender.  I've seen enough to know they have that sort of potential, but none of them have shown me enough for me to believe they could be all star level or better players.  Sullinger compares fairly well with a guy like Josh Smith, not the defender Smith is, but a bit better touch on his shooting.  That seems to be his peak level i.e. not an all star, but a good starter level player.

[D.o.s.]

I don't argue with making the playoffs - teams should try and win. I do not think our four and out will attract any free agents, however.

I don't think we will be any good for many years. Smart is not good enough. Olynyk and Sullinger and James Young are not good enough; and Zeller is good enough to be a back-up, but not good enough to be a major cog in the machine.

It is a sad thing, but I do not think we will get anyone at 16 or 28 who will matter THAT much in our rebuilding. Stevens is a great coach, but he doesn't have THAT much to work with here. If, casual fans, we can all recognize that Kevin Looney and Chris McCollough are not game changers, then don't you think rival executives can see that?

It is unfortunate, but we are not in a position to make a splash this off-season, and I am afraid we don't have much to look forward to next year

I think we're actually a lot closer to a championship-contending team than given credit for, especially in the East. A legitimate contender must have an effective starting line-up and a solid bench (even with Lopez, Matthews, Aldridge and Lillard, blazers were still first round fodder just like us). Our approach has been to add solid players that could in the future become a very effective bench, if not starters.

Smart, Young, Sully, KO may very well be stars in the making they've only been here for 3 seasons. Everyone keeps forgetting that stars can also be drafted and groomed and not only traded for...

I don't think anyone has forgotten that: some posters just don't see star potential in anyone currently on our roster.

The thing is, you know almost immediately if a player has a real shot at being a franchise player, an all star, or even a starter. It is very rare that you don't have an idea as early as a player's rookie season.  Now sure they are raw and have a lot of improvement to make to reach full potential, but it isn't like you didn't know Lebron James, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, etc. were going to be very good players almost immediately.  The Jermaine O'Neal's and Steve Nash's of the world are very much the exception to the rule. 

No one currently on Boston has franchise level talent or we would have seen it already.  Smart has a chance to be an all world defender, but he is never going to be a franchise player as he just isn't good enough offensively and is a guard (which minimizes his defensive impact).  Everyone else could be a 4th or 5th starter on a championship team level at best.

You're probably right about the first one.  I don't think there are many players in that "franchise" category that there wasn't a fairly good indication of their stardom starting with their rookie season (maybe Dirk and Kobe).

The league is littered with all stars and good starters who were far from surefire hits in their first season or two, though.

I think if you actually started looking at the starters on true legit contenders and then looked at their rookie years, I think you would be surprised at how much potential they showed.  Obviously they aren't nearly as good or as consistent as rookies, but you saw it. 

I could totally see Smart, Sullinger and Olynyk as being a 4th or 5th starter on a real contender.  I've seen enough to know they have that sort of potential, but none of them have shown me enough for me to believe they could be all star level or better players.  Sullinger compares fairly well with a guy like Josh Smith, not the defender Smith is, but a bit better touch on his shooting.  That seems to be his peak level i.e. not an all star, but a good starter level player.

Despite the fact that Moranis is wrong about all things pertaining to the desirability of his home state, he is 110% correct on this one.

[Celtics4ever]

realism doesn't REALLY exist anyway. It's all just viewpoints


Hop on the optimist bandwagon!


There's plenty of room any the weather is always great!

And yet, we got swept in the playoffs and Ainge said the number one thing he had to do was add talent.   So much for optimism, eh?

on the bright side, the Cavs certainly are tougher than even we thought.