Are we underdogs to make the playoffs in 2015-16? The East has improved...

[D.o.s.]

I think we are more likely to make the playoffs than we are to finish with a .500 record (or better)

[slamtheking]

This is what I posted in the "off the ledge" thread
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the 24-12 pace at the end of last season was deceptive.  no one can look at that and seriously extrapolate the team will perform at an equivalent pace this season. 

going in to this year, ignoring the improvements other teams have made, the C's have basically swapped out Amir for Bass.  I like Amir and see that as a slight improvement -- figuring Amir to get a lot of time at center and keeping Sully and KO at PF.  The have IT and Crowder for the full season -- sure, a plus, but let's be honest, they're still just bench-quality guys.  a full season of Jerebko.  not going to move the needle at all.  3 rookies with only Rozier that might get any decent minutes at some point but he duplicates what Smart does.  As for the young guys, sure I figure they'll improve somewhat but I also think the young players on other teams will improve as well and since a number of them on other teams were higher draft picks, I don't think it's a stretch to believe those players could make larger improvements in their games.

Now, if I look at the other teams in the East, no one that finished with a better record than us figures to do worse next year, certainly not to the point where they'd be a worse team than the C's.  That's 6 teams right there penned in for the playoffs.  Miami and Indy finished not too far behind us and are getting major stars back this season (not to mention improving via the draft).  I would anticipate them leapfrogging us in the standings.  Could probably pen them in as the other 2 playoff teams so C's looking at the lottery.

Next, Charlotte.  they underperformed last year and have made moves to address that.  like the moves or not, they could improve enough to pass us as well.  C's had the same record as Utah.  They have a better balanced roster and young players who have actually shown improvement so it's not a stretch to think that will continue.  That's not even counting any improvement out of Exum who could start showing he deserved to be a high pick.  Add in another lotto-talent this year so more improvement.  Another team that could finish with a better record than the C's. 

While I'm at it in terms of the West, 7 of the Western playoff teams figure to be back there next year with OKC replacing Dallas.  I don't think it's a stretch to think that the last 2 Western teams that miss the playoffs will each have a better record than the first eastern team to miss the playoffs further pushing the C's down into the lottery (improving the odds in other words). Depending on what Phx does with their roster and if Minny's youth movement gels, C's could finish with a worse record than them as well.

I know this thread is intended to get people thinking positive thoughts but just based on what's occurred so far, I don't think it's a stretch that the C's will not only miss the playoffs but could seriously be looking at maybe the 8th best odds of getting the top pick in the lottery.
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Bottom line, I'm expecting the C's, Nets and Dallas to all miss the playoffs and hoping that Minny improves enough to almost make it.  It's not what I'd want to happen for the C's but it's what I'm expecting. 

[TheFlex]

Cleveland
Chicago
Atlanta
Toronto (automatic 4th because of divisional seeding format)
Indiana
Milwaukee
DC
Boston

-------------------

Detroit
Miami
Charlotte
Brooklyn
Orlando
New York
Philadelphia

You dont think Miami with Bosh, Dragic, Wade, Whiteside and likely Deng will be better than us?

Injuries and a much tougher division hurts them this year, I think.

[YeezusChrist]

A lot of guys are delusional and drinking the Koolaid we aren't making the playoffs with our current team

Cavs
Bulls
Bucks
Miami
Wizards
Toronto
Pacers
Atlanta

Fighting to get in: Charlotte, Detroit, Nets,Knicks, Us

I see us competing for a better lottery pick though

[Future Celtics Owner]

This is what I posted in the "off the ledge" thread
===============================
the 24-12 pace at the end of last season was deceptive.  no one can look at that and seriously extrapolate the team will perform at an equivalent pace this season. 

going in to this year, ignoring the improvements other teams have made, the C's have basically swapped out Amir for Bass.  I like Amir and see that as a slight improvement -- figuring Amir to get a lot of time at center and keeping Sully and KO at PF.  The have IT and Crowder for the full season -- sure, a plus, but let's be honest, they're still just bench-quality guys.  a full season of Jerebko.  not going to move the needle at all.  3 rookies with only Rozier that might get any decent minutes at some point but he duplicates what Smart does.  As for the young guys, sure I figure they'll improve somewhat but I also think the young players on other teams will improve as well and since a number of them on other teams were higher draft picks, I don't think it's a stretch to believe those players could make larger improvements in their games.

Now, if I look at the other teams in the East, no one that finished with a better record than us figures to do worse next year, certainly not to the point where they'd be a worse team than the C's.  That's 6 teams right there penned in for the playoffs.  Miami and Indy finished not too far behind us and are getting major stars back this season (not to mention improving via the draft).  I would anticipate them leapfrogging us in the standings.  Could probably pen them in as the other 2 playoff teams so C's looking at the lottery.

Next, Charlotte.  they underperformed last year and have made moves to address that.  like the moves or not, they could improve enough to pass us as well.  C's had the same record as Utah.  They have a better balanced roster and young players who have actually shown improvement so it's not a stretch to think that will continue.  That's not even counting any improvement out of Exum who could start showing he deserved to be a high pick.  Add in another lotto-talent this year so more improvement.  Another team that could finish with a better record than the C's. 

While I'm at it in terms of the West, 7 of the Western playoff teams figure to be back there next year with OKC replacing Dallas.  I don't think it's a stretch to think that the last 2 Western teams that miss the playoffs will each have a better record than the first eastern team to miss the playoffs further pushing the C's down into the lottery (improving the odds in other words). Depending on what Phx does with their roster and if Minny's youth movement gels, C's could finish with a worse record than them as well.

I know this thread is intended to get people thinking positive thoughts but just based on what's occurred so far, I don't think it's a stretch that the C's will not only miss the playoffs but could seriously be looking at maybe the 8th best odds of getting the top pick in the lottery.
===========================================================

Bottom line, I'm expecting the C's, Nets and Dallas to all miss the playoffs and hoping that Minny improves enough to almost make it.  It's not what I'd want to happen for the C's but it's what I'm expecting.

You had me at Myles Turner.......

I share the same view you have about the standings in both the West and East. I expect DA to make a few moves to clear our guard situation. While he is doing that if he sees that we are not competing I fully expect him to make trades that help other teams right away and help us in the future.

Bottom line, I'm expecting the C's, Nets and Dallas to all miss the playoffs and hoping that Minny improves enough to almost make it.  It's not what I'd want to happen for the C's but it's what I'm expecting.

I agree. But I do want the C's to miss the playoffs because we are not a real playoff team. We have 0 stars, and I would like to rebuild through the draft and by trading for picks/prospects. I want to give Brad Stevens a team with great players on it.

[Who]

I expect both Atlanta and Chicago to fall from grace this year.  For ATL, I think losing Carroll will really hurt.  He was their key swing that allowed their small ball lineups to thrive.

Agreed on Atlanta dropping off. Carroll is a big loss as you say + Korver cannot reproduce the year he just had. They are going to get less from him too. I think that costs them 10 wins. Carroll and less from Korver. I see them around 50 wins instead of 60 wins next year.

[chambers]

So it seems like the consensus is that no current top 6 teams from last season will drop out of the playoffs right?

That means we have to finish better than the

Heat
Pacers
Nets
Hornets
Detroit

If two of those teams finish with more wins than us we don't make it.