Path to championships

[konkmv]

History has shown that to win a title you must 2-3 leaders star players.. and some excellent role players.. bird mchale parish jordan pippen magic jabbar worthy pierce garnett allen... there are 2 ways getting them.. draft  them or trade for them.. do we have enough quality to get 2-3 stars? No... but even if you could get davis giannis and wall for example younare not a title contenter for me.. so danny plays the waiting game... knowing he cannot buy... developing assets... getting picks... overachieving... it may need some years to get there but it is the right way...patience

[Greyman]

Even though I understand (and feel) the frustration when we haven't managed to trade for the players we want to be contenders, I think we are on the right track. From the point where Green and Rondo went as it had become obvious the rebuild wasn't going to work around them, we haven't taken a backward step. Nearly every new player has contributed, the pics have mostly looked promising though not world beaters and the team is playing well with a winning system and coach who is getting more from his players than many imagined.

This is the NBA and nobody expects our present squad to be able to compete with the top echelon of teams and especially over a 7 game playoff series. After last seasons effort the team may feel the pressure to make the playoffs as expectations are that the squad will do at least as well as last season. Though I expect the team will do a little better this is not a given and any number of things could result in this group 'underachieving'. This wouldn't be good but not the end of the world.

IT is here and happy and I think one of our pieces in place. This season will show us more about Smart and how far he can go. I would rather go into the market for a big name after we know more about that. With a crowded roster this season should clear up who is here for the long haul. Amir and Lee have a chance to prolong their careers by making a go of things in Boston. Neither is locked in long term and if either is a success, both parties have benefited. So, even if results don't go our way this season (god forbid), I think the rebuild is still going in the right direction.

Patience is the way to go and get the right player when they become available. I would love for us to do well and pick up two players mid season but I think that is about the best case scenario. The following season might be when the Celtics become contenders again.

[Future Celtics Owner]

IDK I'd like to see Smart play pg on both sides and IT conflicts with that. Thats one of the reasons I'd like to trade him and start building through the draft but with our own picks. IT is a great teammate and is a great guy.

Also offering CHA all those assets for a player we should have been able to draft with our own pick, really should wake some people up.

[Surferdad]

Unprotected lottery picks are coming our way the next couple of years. Patience is important.

The team should be better this season than 42 wins. Added IT, Lee and Amir and the team's W-L record improved after Green and Rondo were traded.

[billysan]

TP OP.

I also like the excitement of playoff basketball. Just not at the expense of player development. I do not want to overpay for mediocre players or over the hill veterans just becasue we have cap space. The notion that we have to spent the money and take what we get is nonsense to me.

The fact is, every year at the trade deadline there are players available we can get at much better value. I think IT is a good recent example of this. I also agree with acquiring Amir and DLee this year as I think it really helps us stay competitive but not overpay.

These three with a few all star quality proven players and some of our young guns like Smart, Crowder, and others would take us deep into the playoffs. I do not think they need to be superstars like Lebron or Carmelo.

That being the case, we should temper expectations until Danny adds or we develop our own stars.

[Surferdad]

TP OP.

I also like the excitement of playoff basketball. Just not at the expense of player development. I do not want to overpay for mediocre players or over the hill veterans just becasue we have cap space. The notion that we have to spent the money and take what we get is nonsense to me.

The fact is, every year at the trade deadline there are players available we can get at much better value. I think IT is a good recent example of this. I also agree with acquiring Amir and DLee this year as I think it really helps us stay competitive but not overpay.

These three with a few all star quality proven players and some of our young guns like Smart, Crowder, and others would take us deep into the playoffs. I do not think they need to be superstars like Lebron or Carmelo.

That being the case, we should temper expectations until Danny adds or we develop our own stars.

I take your post to mean that you are willing to trade those upcoming lottery picks for "a few all star quality players".  I am not. You need a least one elite superstar, not just all stars, to win a championship.  However, I certainly understand that your sights are set lower, "deep into the playoffs".

[SHAQATTACK]

As we wait for LeBron James to lose dominance . 

[Future Celtics Owner]

As we wait for LeBron James to lose dominance . 

Yup.

[billysan]

TP OP.

I also like the excitement of playoff basketball. Just not at the expense of player development. I do not want to overpay for mediocre players or over the hill veterans just becasue we have cap space. The notion that we have to spent the money and take what we get is nonsense to me.

The fact is, every year at the trade deadline there are players available we can get at much better value. I think IT is a good recent example of this. I also agree with acquiring Amir and DLee this year as I think it really helps us stay competitive but not overpay.

These three with a few all star quality proven players and some of our young guns like Smart, Crowder, and others would take us deep into the playoffs. I do not think they need to be superstars like Lebron or Carmelo.

That being the case, we should temper expectations until Danny adds or we develop our own stars.

I take your post to mean that you are willing to trade those upcoming lottery picks for "a few all star quality players".  I am not. You need a least one elite superstar, not just all stars, to win a championship.  However, I certainly understand that your sights are set lower, "deep into the playoffs".

I would if there were not any Franchise changing players in a particular draft and a F/A of high quality is coming available. It's about targeting the best players and improving when the chance presents itself.

You gotta ask yourself, do I get a couple really good players now who we can afford and  who will take us deep into the playoffs where anything can happen? Or do I hoard draft picks and hope for a lotto winner that has a high upside that works out?

The first is win now mentality that may reduce the value of future picks but keeps the fan base happy and the team remains relevant. The second is more chancy with a possible missed trip to the playoffs and drafting a project. There are other possibilities to be sure in between.

In a perfect world you do all of the above.

You have to be 'deep into the playoffs' to have a chance at winning anything don't you?

[Surferdad]

TP OP.

I also like the excitement of playoff basketball. Just not at the expense of player development. I do not want to overpay for mediocre players or over the hill veterans just becasue we have cap space. The notion that we have to spent the money and take what we get is nonsense to me.

The fact is, every year at the trade deadline there are players available we can get at much better value. I think IT is a good recent example of this. I also agree with acquiring Amir and DLee this year as I think it really helps us stay competitive but not overpay.

These three with a few all star quality proven players and some of our young guns like Smart, Crowder, and others would take us deep into the playoffs. I do not think they need to be superstars like Lebron or Carmelo.

That being the case, we should temper expectations until Danny adds or we develop our own stars.

I take your post to mean that you are willing to trade those upcoming lottery picks for "a few all star quality players".  I am not. You need a least one elite superstar, not just all stars, to win a championship.  However, I certainly understand that your sights are set lower, "deep into the playoffs".

I would if there were not any Franchise changing players in a particular draft and a F/A of high quality is coming available. It's about targeting the best players and improving when the chance presents itself.

You gotta ask yourself, do I get a couple really good players now who we can afford and  who will take us deep into the playoffs where anything can happen? Or do I hoard draft picks and hope for a lotto winner that has a high upside that works out?

The first is win now mentality that may reduce the value of future picks but keeps the fan base happy and the team remains relevant. The second is more chancy with a possible missed trip to the playoffs and drafting a project. There are other possibilities to be sure in between.

In a perfect world you do all of the above.

You have to be 'deep into the playoffs' to have a chance at winning anything don't you?

Yes of course. I am just trying to stay true to the OP's subject which is winning it all. Except the 2004 Pistons, you have to have elite stars and right now I think the Nets pick are our best chance, but that doesn't mean no playoff runs.  This is the beauty of what Ainge did as opposed to Philly's tankfest.