Celtics May be forced to Tank this year.

[Celtics4ever]

Too early to tell, but tanking is definitely a scenario I've been prepared for.  We overachieved last year.  This team still lacks talent.  If we start rough and mid season no star trades appear, I wouldn't be surprised to see ainge move contributors for draft picks.

I concur.

[slamtheking]

TANKERS........They're baaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!  they're like Zombies, shoot for the head!!!

unfortunately they couldn't wait until even 5 games into the season.  SMH

did anyone take a real evaluation of the talent of this team (besides me of course   )? 
1. This team has the talent to win about 38-40 games and be in the chase for the 8th playoff spot.  It marginally increased the overall talent of the team by swapping out Bass and Wallace for Lee and Amir.  We didn't address the lack starting-quality players, we didn't address the need for a starting-caliber PG (IT is not the answer), we didn't address the need of a go-to scorer down the stretch of games (IT is not the answer here either) and we didn't address the need for a legitimate center (love Amir but he's really a PF). 
2. The 6 teams that finished better than us last year are still better than us.  They all have a superior roster with at least one stud player (if not more in some cases) that can carry them to wins down the stretch of games.
3. The Eastern conference overall is better than last year.  No team that was good or improving took a real step back.  One could argue about Indy, Charlotte and Detroit but Detroit seems to have gotten its act together with the roster changes and Indy gets PG and Monta Ellis for the season.  Knicks improved over last season too -- not playoff good but not the pushovers they were last year.
4. The C's early season schedule is not a cakewalk.  They play a lot of teams that are better than them (certainly on paper but that's why they play the games).  C's could seriously wind up with only 5-6 wins in their first 20 games.  The schedule moderates in difficulty as it progresses for the C's so it's way too early to be jumping on the 'They Suck' bandwagon except for those predicting 50 wins this season.

[Moranis]

TANKERS........They're baaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!  they're like Zombies, shoot for the head!!!

unfortunately they couldn't wait until even 5 games into the season.  SMH

did anyone take a real evaluation of the talent of this team (besides me of course   )? 
1. This team has the talent to win about 38-40 games and be in the chase for the 8th playoff spot.  It marginally increased the overall talent of the team by swapping out Bass and Wallace for Lee and Amir.  We didn't address the lack starting-quality players, we didn't address the need for a starting-caliber PG (IT is not the answer), we didn't address the need of a go-to scorer down the stretch of games (IT is not the answer here either) and we didn't address the need for a legitimate center (love Amir but he's really a PF). 
2. The 6 teams that finished better than us last year are still better than us.  They all have a superior roster with at least one stud player (if not more in some cases) that can carry them to wins down the stretch of games.
3. The Eastern conference overall is better than last year.  No team that was good or improving took a real step back.  One could argue about Indy, Charlotte and Detroit but Detroit seems to have gotten its act together with the roster changes and Indy gets PG and Monta Ellis for the season.  Knicks improved over last season too -- not playoff good but not the pushovers they were last year.
4. The C's early season schedule is not a cakewalk.  They play a lot of teams that are better than them (certainly on paper but that's why they play the games).  C's could seriously wind up with only 5-6 wins in their first 20 games.  The schedule moderates in difficulty as it progresses for the C's so it's way too early to be jumping on the 'They Suck' bandwagon except for those predicting 50 wins this season.

all true, but what is the point of another 38-42 win season?

[TheFlex]

Tanking would be a major setback for the franchise. Whatever value we will gain getting a higher pick we will lose devaluing the league wide perception of IT, AB, Crowder, Sully, etc. It's also risky business to play with our two best assets, Stevens and Smart, who aren't obliged to stay in Boston just a short couple of years from now.

We've been competitive in the last couple games and I don't think it's bold to say that we would have won last night's game if we had Smart, never mind merely average shooting performances from guys like Olynyk (as others have said, he'll turn it around, at least offensively). Still a lot of season left, still have a rotation to figure out, and we're not like other teams in that our team has the ability to add some significant contributors midseason.

Patience. We don't need to tank with the Brooklyn and Dallas 1sts.

[JBcat]

I think we'll be ok.  We could easily be 2-2 while facing 2 very good teams in the Spurs and Raptors.  However there is some truth we may have overachieved the second half of last year.  Bass who is longer with us played very well, and Turner played very well starting for us is now coming off the bench.

I took a peak at the schedule and it may be a little bit of a rocky start until 12/18 when in 4 out of 5 games we play the Nets twice, Mavs, and 76rs.   I know the east is a little better this year but my guess is we'll be in the middle of fighting for a playoff spot at the end.  Even "selling off" like we tried to do last year with the Green and Rondo trades we may still not be bad enough.

I do have an interesting question if we landed the top pick would you trade down so we then have maybe 2 top 10 picks, or another top pick plus young player similar to the Carroll for Mchale and Parish trade?  I'm not a draft expert so I'm not sure how much better Simmons could be than everyone else.

[Bankshot]

And just dreaming here but let's say we landed the third pick and the sixth give me some names on who we take.

Chauncy Billups and Ron Mercer?  Oh, that was 1997.

[TheFlex]

TANKERS........They're baaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!  they're like Zombies, shoot for the head!!!

unfortunately they couldn't wait until even 5 games into the season.  SMH

did anyone take a real evaluation of the talent of this team (besides me of course   )? 
1. This team has the talent to win about 38-40 games and be in the chase for the 8th playoff spot.  It marginally increased the overall talent of the team by swapping out Bass and Wallace for Lee and Amir.  We didn't address the lack starting-quality players, we didn't address the need for a starting-caliber PG (IT is not the answer), we didn't address the need of a go-to scorer down the stretch of games (IT is not the answer here either) and we didn't address the need for a legitimate center (love Amir but he's really a PF). 
2. The 6 teams that finished better than us last year are still better than us.  They all have a superior roster with at least one stud player (if not more in some cases) that can carry them to wins down the stretch of games.
3. The Eastern conference overall is better than last year.  No team that was good or improving took a real step back.  One could argue about Indy, Charlotte and Detroit but Detroit seems to have gotten its act together with the roster changes and Indy gets PG and Monta Ellis for the season.  Knicks improved over last season too -- not playoff good but not the pushovers they were last year.
4. The C's early season schedule is not a cakewalk.  They play a lot of teams that are better than them (certainly on paper but that's why they play the games).  C's could seriously wind up with only 5-6 wins in their first 20 games.  The schedule moderates in difficulty as it progresses for the C's so it's way too early to be jumping on the 'They Suck' bandwagon except for those predicting 50 wins this season.

all true, but what is the point of another 38-42 win season?

Building a winning culture and inflating the value of role players. The latter is crucial to Ainge's strategy of marginal asset strengthening through a series of trades. We can continue doing this without sacrificing a chance at drafting a career Celtic superstar thanks to Brooklyn.

[slamtheking]

TANKERS........They're baaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!  they're like Zombies, shoot for the head!!!

unfortunately they couldn't wait until even 5 games into the season.  SMH

did anyone take a real evaluation of the talent of this team (besides me of course   )? 
1. This team has the talent to win about 38-40 games and be in the chase for the 8th playoff spot.  It marginally increased the overall talent of the team by swapping out Bass and Wallace for Lee and Amir.  We didn't address the lack starting-quality players, we didn't address the need for a starting-caliber PG (IT is not the answer), we didn't address the need of a go-to scorer down the stretch of games (IT is not the answer here either) and we didn't address the need for a legitimate center (love Amir but he's really a PF). 
2. The 6 teams that finished better than us last year are still better than us.  They all have a superior roster with at least one stud player (if not more in some cases) that can carry them to wins down the stretch of games.
3. The Eastern conference overall is better than last year.  No team that was good or improving took a real step back.  One could argue about Indy, Charlotte and Detroit but Detroit seems to have gotten its act together with the roster changes and Indy gets PG and Monta Ellis for the season.  Knicks improved over last season too -- not playoff good but not the pushovers they were last year.
4. The C's early season schedule is not a cakewalk.  They play a lot of teams that are better than them (certainly on paper but that's why they play the games).  C's could seriously wind up with only 5-6 wins in their first 20 games.  The schedule moderates in difficulty as it progresses for the C's so it's way too early to be jumping on the 'They Suck' bandwagon except for those predicting 50 wins this season.

all true, but what is the point of another 38-42 win season?

Building a winning culture and inflating the value of role players. The latter is crucial to Ainge's strategy of marginal asset strengthening through a series of trades. We can continue doing this without sacrificing a chance at drafting a career Celtic superstar thanks to Brooklyn.

agreed.  there's no point in a 38-40 win season.  The point is which direction is the franchise heading.  The team is a bunch of role players.  The Brooklyn pick (as well as the Dallas and Boston picks that I anticipate being in the lottery) will offer options for adding more good young talent without having to divest the team of any talent to get a high pick (tank).

we weren't going to challenge for the title this year. 

[SHAQATTACK]

We need talent upgrades .   Still think DA is going to,have to trade several first rounders to get a player worth building around . 

We got a great bench team without a real starting starting line up save Marcus Smart and maybe Sully .   I d keep Rozier , Hunter and Mickey and Crowder.......then trade the rest off.

[knuckleballer]

I don't see how this team could realistically tank.  Our 2nd string is close to as good as our 1st string and we have usefull players that could be considered 3rd string.  i don't expect to win much more than 50% of games, but if we were to trade away 2 or 3 of our best players (Isaiah Thomas and who else?), I don't think we are far below .500 or at least not a bottom 5 team.  Danny would need to seriously dismantle the team and that would do more harm than good. 

It's best to instill a winning culture and try to win games.  In fact, I think we need to thin out the roster to give guys playing time, but trying to do that and get value in return is a challenge that I'm sure Danny is working on.

[Rosco917]

Yeah, that's how to build a team, play 3 games of an 82 game schedule and start the tanking talk.   

[tstorey_97]

My 43 win prediction is in such jeopardy I am posting on a tank thread...Heavens!

I think the Celtics are better this year and remain in play for the 6 or 7 spot in the tournament.
I agree that last year had "mirage qualities" as they played above their heads and in the last  few weeks of the season, competitors are up against varying agendas...like the last 5 games last year.

Regardless, Steven's teams always play like last night. Complete with buzzer beaters, scrappiness and "self belief." Almost a college thing really. Bench guys coming out of nowhere and torching opponents, Brad putting our ridiculous combos...Sully chucking the ball 70 feet to some guy who should be playing in China for a TREE!

Honestly, where ya gonna get that? Nowhere.

Stevens knows he can't build a winner by losing, thus he will play every game like it is his last. This is NOT common in NBA land where wealthy players and coaches bail on games from time to time....(except for the Nets who bail on games ALL the time)

In the realm of tanking I offer this...Stevens and Ainge politely disagree. Danny wants to lose all the games and Stevens wants to win all the games...as Stevens gets to call the actual games? 43 wins.

[SHAQATTACK]

To pull a Philly style " TANK"

We d need a new set of willing Owners , then a New GM ,  and a new Head coach

Boston has NON of the above .



Ps .....no doubt DA may have to pull a couple radical trades off to get a Star  .....or impact player.......so far other than dumping Rondo .....not much of significance in terms of Mega dollar has been done.......  Just bargain shopping .....training CBS .

I don't think there is another team in the East that can put together a team RIGHT now that is going to take down LeBron .....

So........that's one reason I don 't believe there is panic In the East to win.  Everybody is playing for a distant second best to the Cavs.

Once LeBron starts looking like Kobe ...then we ll ramp up.

[konkmv]

there is a possibility that we dont tank but still be a lottery team.... there are injuries, bad luck and we do not have a star to build around yet... 33-46 wins i think we must enjoy the season and the progress of the youngsters

[LilRip]

i doubt we're bad enough to tank this year but, sticking to my offseason prediction, I think we'll probably end up as a 9th seed. At least we'll technically be in the lottery.