It's going to be a fight to make playoffs this year....

[chambers]

It should be a fight to get in but C's have a good chance to make it. I see the tiers as
Top of the East
Cavs, Heat
 
Upper level east teams
Bulls, Wizards, Hawks, Raptors

Middle level east teams
Bucks, C's, Magic

Bottom level east teams
Pacers, Knicks, Nets, Hornets

Fodder east teams
Pistons, Sixers

So C's should be better than magic and the lower tiered teams making them an 8 seed. If a team above them has any injuries they can leap those teams as well.

I pretty much agree except I think the Bobcats and Pistons should be classified as middle level (same as us) in your tiers. The Pistons are going to be a good team this year and may just post a winning record in the East.
I think the Bobcats without the Lance drama and adding Batum, with MKG having another year under his belt and Kemba Walker back to 100% from surgery will make them good team too.

[PhoSita]

If we were all being honest, I think the vast majority of us would swap rosters with the Bucks in an instant.

That team has made some smart moves and also had the good fortune to get the #2 pick in a two player draft.  They are further along in their rebuild because they've got a handful of core pieces with star potential already identified.

It's OK to admit they're better off than the Celtics.  Doesn't make you a bad fan.

[LilRip]

you can then root for the Bucks. 

And it's up to you.  If you think the Bucks are better that is fine. Realistically they are not alot better like some people make them out to be. 

"The only guy of our young core who shows that he might have some upside to be a special player in this league is Smart, and that's it."

So what about IT, PJ3, Rozier, Mickey, Hunter . Mediocre talent right? And you don't know if the 1st year guys will play or not. CBS plays you if you can help the team   

Btw these guys are "special" or have the potential right?

Giannis = can't shoot
Parker = poor defender
MCW = poor shooter and mediocre defender
Monroe = mediocre defender. Poor shooter. Not very good pnr defender

Am I the only one here who would do a IT4+PJ3+Rozier+Mickey+Hunter for Jabari trade in a heartbeat? 

[Big333223]

Am I the only one here who would do a IT4+PJ3+Rozier+Mickey+Hunter for Jabari trade in a heartbeat? 

That's interesting. Losing PJ3, Rozier, Mickey, and Hunter wouldn't bother me. Not that I don't like them but none of those guys are likely to ever make an all star game. Losing Thomas might be tough because its so hard to find creators like him (or at least it's been so hard for the Celtics to find them) but at the end of the day, I think I would do that deal. It would be tough but I would.

Of course, the contracts don't work but whatever.

[Eja117]

Also....the Celtics aren't going to be the same Celtics this year. Marcus Smart isn't going to be the same rookie he was.

Fascinating that the Celtics are the only team in the conference afforded such optimism.

Well they're one of the youngest. I mean some of these teams will start getting worse. The Bulls and Hawks have peaked. The Raps have probably stalled (although I do suppose Bruno Cabacalo could come to the rescue and maybe DeMarre Carrol is an upgrade over Amir Johnson...maybe). The Wiz have lost Pierce and Nene isn't getting younger. The Nets...

yeah.

[Neurotic Guy]

If we were all being honest, I think the vast majority of us would swap rosters with the Bucks in an instant.

That team has made some smart moves and also had the good fortune to get the #2 pick in a two player draft.  They are further along in their rebuild because they've got a handful of core pieces with star potential already identified.

It's OK to admit they're better off than the Celtics.  Doesn't make you a bad fan.

Definitely would swap rosters, but not sure I'd swap all assets including draft picks.  Probably would, though.  If Giannis and Parker have big years next year, the Bucks will be a "destination team" and maybe one piece away from being contenders (with lots of cap space).   All told, however, things could ultimately break the C's way in the Bucks-Celtics comparison.

[Eja117]

If we were all being honest, I think the vast majority of us would swap rosters with the Bucks in an instant.

That team has made some smart moves and also had the good fortune to get the #2 pick in a two player draft.  They are further along in their rebuild because they've got a handful of core pieces with star potential already identified.

It's OK to admit they're better off than the Celtics.  Doesn't make you a bad fan.

Definitely would swap rosters, but not sure I'd swap all assets including draft picks.  Probably would, though.  If Giannis and Parker have big years next year, the Bucks will be a "destination team" and maybe one piece away from being contenders (with lots of cap space).   All told, however, things could ultimately break the C's way in the Bucks-Celtics comparison.

I'd definitely swap rosters and I'd throw in our own first this year and some 2nds. In fact I wish Danny would make that call and offer them that.

[chambers]

If we were all being honest, I think the vast majority of us would swap rosters with the Bucks in an instant.

That team has made some smart moves and also had the good fortune to get the #2 pick in a two player draft.  They are further along in their rebuild because they've got a handful of core pieces with star potential already identified.

It's OK to admit they're better off than the Celtics.  Doesn't make you a bad fan.

Definitely would swap rosters, but not sure I'd swap all assets including draft picks.  Probably would, though.  If Giannis and Parker have big years next year, the Bucks will be a "destination team" and maybe one piece away from being contenders (with lots of cap space).   All told, however, things could ultimately break the C's way in the Bucks-Celtics comparison.

I would literally give my ear, or a testicle, to swap rosters with the Bucks.
They can have all our picks, all our players etc, EXCEPT our coach.
Can you imagine Brad Stevens working with young talent like that?

We do have some good pieces in Smart+Sully+Rozier+Hunter+Zeller+Crowder and IT is a valuable trade chip. The Brooklyn picks are nice.
But I'd prefer Parker+Giannis+Middleton+Henson+Monroe.
It's too bad they got rid of Knight because they'd be an awesome young team this year with him.
Man the Bucks have drafted well outside the top 10 over the years.

[Tr1boy]

Who cares about the Bucks. 

I'm interested in the Celtics.   We got a solid system,  play tough team D and most of the guys on the team can shoot/spread the floor.  IT is a top 3 6th man in the league. The 2015 draft was a  success. The future is bright.

[Celtics18]

It is going to be a fight to make the playoffs this year. 

Luckily we've got a team with a lot of fight in them.  Despite all the complaints about our lack of a defensive interior presence, we had a top ten defensive team post all star break.

Although Bass wasn't a terrible defender, presumably swapping Brandon for Amir Johnson will improve our defense even more. 

I'd like to see the Celtics be a top five defensive team for the 2015-2016 season, make the playoffs at above .500, and advance past the first round. 

I would say that's a lofty, but definitely attainable goal for this team. 

[Tr1boy]

It is going to be a fight to make the playoffs this year. 

Luckily we've got a team with a lot of fight in them.  Despite all the complaints about our lack of a defensive interior presence, we had a top ten defensive team post all star break.

Although Bass wasn't a terrible defender, presumably swapping Brandon for Amir Johnson will improve our defense even more. 

I'd like to see the Celtics be a top five defensive team for the 2015-2016 season, make the playoffs at above .500, and advance past the first round. 

I would say that's a lofty, but definitely attainable goal for this team.

It is not going to be easy for anyone.  Your right though that the Celtics are a big time fighter.  When you got guys like crowder, smart, amir even if you win, you will be hurting the next day

[manl_lui]

good...as long as they keep fighting and grinding..only good thing can happen...keep the fighter's mentality

the road to success should never be easy, you gotta go through bumps to grow

The way Brad Stevens has our squad play, it makes it fun to watch even if they lose the game...

[slamtheking]

the way I see it:
Playoff Teams (assuming reasonable health and no surprise roster shake-ups):
Cleveland
MIami
Chicago
Toronto
Washington
Atlanta
Milwaukee
Indiana
--> I think Cleveland is the clear #1.  Miami and Chicago are the 2 and 3.  Toronto, Wash, Atl and Mil all fight it out between 3-7. 

I think Indy edges out the C's for the #8 spot.  The difference -- Indy has 2 guys in Paul George and Monte Ellis that can get points down the stretch whereas the C's don't really have one.  IT and Lee, while being the best offensive options the C's have and certainly capable players on offense, are truly defensive liabilities.  They're at serious risk of giving up as many points or more points than they score.

I think the C's will miss the playoffs by 1 or 2 games but no more than that.  Assuming their usual luck in the lottery and the better teams in the Western conference, I think the C's are looking at the #12 slot for themselves in the next draft.

out of playoffs
C's
Detroit
Charlotte
Orlando
NY
Brooklyn
Philly

[LarBrd33]

you can then root for the Bucks. 

And it's up to you.  If you think the Bucks are better that is fine. Realistically they are not alot better like some people make them out to be. 

"The only guy of our young core who shows that he might have some upside to be a special player in this league is Smart, and that's it."

So what about IT, PJ3, Rozier, Mickey, Hunter . Mediocre talent right? And you don't know if the 1st year guys will play or not. CBS plays you if you can help the team   

Btw these guys are "special" or have the potential right?

Giannis = can't shoot
Parker = poor defender
MCW = poor shooter and mediocre defender
Monroe = mediocre defender. Poor shooter. Not very good pnr defender

Am I the only one here who would do a IT4+PJ3+Rozier+Mickey+Hunter for Jabari trade in a heartbeat? 

Include Marcus Smart and a couple unprotected 1sts and you might get their attention.

Remove Thomas from your above offer and you have just enough to get Jabari Brown.

[loco_91]

It will be a fight indeed. I predict we land the 8 seed and get swept by the Cavs again. On the bright side, the Nets have approximately a 0% chance of making the playoffs-- so worst case scenario, we get two lotto picks. Not so bad.