Celtics Playoffs Standings Watch thread (27-22, tied for 3rd place)

[celticsclay]

If the Celts drop two more games in the standings they'll be alone in 12th place in the East.

To be clear this means that they not just lose two games, but the teams below them win more games than these two losses. I get being bummed about this team for sure. However, you realize the teams you mention one has the same record in their last 10 (washington) and we have actually gained two games on Charlotte who are plummeting down the standing with 7 straight losses. As bad as the celtics are playing, there is nothing to suggest these teams are going to catch fire below us.

I agree.  There are teams ahead of the Celts who could easily go on a losing streak, and the teams below the Celts aren't setting the world on fire, either.  Yes, it's glass half empty to note that they're 2 games out of the 12th spot.  But you already covered the glass half full part.  I just think it's important to note that it's really easy to go either way right now.

With the way this team is playing right now, it wouldn't be that shocking to see them go 3-7 over the next 10, while Charlotte or Washington goes 5-5 over the same span.

There is a ton of parity between the 4/5 spot and the 12th spot in the conference.  You have the Cavs, Raptors, Hawks, and Bulls at the top and then the Bucks, Nets, and Sixers on the bottom.

In between, a total mess.

I am getting pretty ready to lump Charlotte in with that next tier you mentioned. Since December 11th (roughly a month) they are 3 and 12 and have lost to teams like the Nuggets and Suns who are some of the worst in the league (and playing especially bad right now). For them win 5 games out of 10 in an upcoming stretch that includes a 5 game west coast trip and 6 games on the road seems a little ridiculous don't you think? (I'll admit it could happen, but definitely is not as likely as the celtics picking up a game on the knicks or magic.

[celticsclay]

If the Celts drop two more games in the standings they'll be alone in 12th place in the East.

To be clear this means that they not just lose two games, but the teams below them win more games than these two losses. I get being bummed about this team for sure. However, you realize the teams you mention one has the same record in their last 10 (washington) and we have actually gained two games on Charlotte who are plummeting down the standing with 7 straight losses. As bad as the celtics are playing, there is nothing to suggest these teams are going to catch fire below us.

I agree.  There are teams ahead of the Celts who could easily go on a losing streak, and the teams below the Celts aren't setting the world on fire, either.  Yes, it's glass half empty to note that they're 2 games out of the 12th spot.  But you already covered the glass half full part.  I just think it's important to note that it's really easy to go either way right now.

With the way this team is playing right now, it wouldn't be that shocking to see them go 3-7 over the next 10, while Charlotte or Washington goes 5-5 over the same span.

There is a ton of parity between the 4/5 spot and the 12th spot in the conference.  You have the Cavs, Raptors, Hawks, and Bulls at the top and then the Bucks, Nets, and Sixers on the bottom.

In between, a total mess.

I'm not ready to throw the Bucks in with Philly and the Nets yet.  there's definitely a talent difference between the Bucks and the other 2.  the 2 bottom feeders are no mystery while it's very baffling why Milwaukee is playing so poorly based on that roster.  I'm not saying they're a contending roster but they should be much better than they have been this year.  Could say the same about NO too this year (different conference obviously)

This is a fair point, I am more scared of the bucks than I am charlotte who seem to be completely imploding. If we think we have a messy future, what to the Bobcats have. Kaminsky looks like a pretty average rotation player so far, Jefferson will be gone at the end of the season (or should be ), Walker and Batum are nice pieces, but where do they go?

[PhoSita]

If the Celts drop two more games in the standings they'll be alone in 12th place in the East.

To be clear this means that they not just lose two games, but the teams below them win more games than these two losses. I get being bummed about this team for sure. However, you realize the teams you mention one has the same record in their last 10 (washington) and we have actually gained two games on Charlotte who are plummeting down the standing with 7 straight losses. As bad as the celtics are playing, there is nothing to suggest these teams are going to catch fire below us.

I agree.  There are teams ahead of the Celts who could easily go on a losing streak, and the teams below the Celts aren't setting the world on fire, either.  Yes, it's glass half empty to note that they're 2 games out of the 12th spot.  But you already covered the glass half full part.  I just think it's important to note that it's really easy to go either way right now.

With the way this team is playing right now, it wouldn't be that shocking to see them go 3-7 over the next 10, while Charlotte or Washington goes 5-5 over the same span.

There is a ton of parity between the 4/5 spot and the 12th spot in the conference.  You have the Cavs, Raptors, Hawks, and Bulls at the top and then the Bucks, Nets, and Sixers on the bottom.

In between, a total mess.

I am getting pretty ready to lump Charlotte in with that next tier you mentioned. Since December 11th (roughly a month) they are 3 and 12 and have lost to teams like the Nuggets and Suns who are some of the worst in the league (and playing especially bad right now). For them win 5 games out of 10 in an upcoming stretch that includes a 5 game west coast trip and 6 games on the road seems a little ridiculous don't you think? (I'll admit it could happen, but definitely is not as likely as the celtics picking up a game on the knicks or magic.

You might be right about Charlotte.  They were playing really well at the start of the year.  Injuries have really derailed them.  And maybe they were playing a bit above themselves all along.

[jpotter33]

If the Celts drop two more games in the standings they'll be alone in 12th place in the East.

To be clear this means that they not just lose two games, but the teams below them win more games than these two losses. I get being bummed about this team for sure. However, you realize the teams you mention one has the same record in their last 10 (washington) and we have actually gained two games on Charlotte who are plummeting down the standing with 7 straight losses. As bad as the celtics are playing, there is nothing to suggest these teams are going to catch fire below us.

I agree.  There are teams ahead of the Celts who could easily go on a losing streak, and the teams below the Celts aren't setting the world on fire, either.  Yes, it's glass half empty to note that they're 2 games out of the 12th spot.  But you already covered the glass half full part.  I just think it's important to note that it's really easy to go either way right now.

With the way this team is playing right now, it wouldn't be that shocking to see them go 3-7 over the next 10, while Charlotte or Washington goes 5-5 over the same span.

There is a ton of parity between the 4/5 spot and the 12th spot in the conference.  You have the Cavs, Raptors, Hawks, and Bulls at the top and then the Bucks, Nets, and Sixers on the bottom.

In between, a total mess.

I am getting pretty ready to lump Charlotte in with that next tier you mentioned. Since December 11th (roughly a month) they are 3 and 12 and have lost to teams like the Nuggets and Suns who are some of the worst in the league (and playing especially bad right now). For them win 5 games out of 10 in an upcoming stretch that includes a 5 game west coast trip and 6 games on the road seems a little ridiculous don't you think? (I'll admit it could happen, but definitely is not as likely as the celtics picking up a game on the knicks or magic.

You might be right about Charlotte.  They were playing really well at the start of the year.  Injuries have really derailed them.  And maybe they were playing a bit above themselves all along.

It's called they were hitting shots, but now they aren't. Seriously, they play a style that is very close to the 7 seconds or less offense, and I absolutely hate it. If they're not hitting shots, they're not very good at all.

[PhoSita]

When they were hitting shots, Charlotte was a lot more fun to watch this year than in years past.  But they were like a poor man's version of Atlanta, which was a poor man's version of the 2013 Spurs.  Not a huge surprise they've fallen off.

[straightouttabahstun]

Ok. We're at .500 again in the beginning of January. I know tons of people are worried. I don't feel like we're in awful shape. Last year at this point we were 13-24. We're slowly playing like ourselves again. Brad MAY let Mickey play tonight because the bigs have been really slouching as of late. Could be worse. I think they'll get out of the losing funk tonight or Friday. Still think we'll wind up between 5th and 7th seed at the end of the season.

[cltc5]

Tank it!

[celticsclay]

When they were hitting shots, Charlotte was a lot more fun to watch this year than in years past.  But they were like a poor man's version of Atlanta, which was a poor man's version of the 2013 Spurs.  Not a huge surprise they've fallen off.

I hope I did not reverse jinx them. They are smacking around the hawks right now. Hawks have 2 points in 7 minutes!

[PhoSita]

When they were hitting shots, Charlotte was a lot more fun to watch this year than in years past.  But they were like a poor man's version of Atlanta, which was a poor man's version of the 2013 Spurs.  Not a huge surprise they've fallen off.

I hope I did not reverse jinx them. They are smacking around the hawks right now. Hawks have 2 points in 7 minutes!

I know, I went to NBA.com and was disappointed to see our game isn't until 5 pm (my time), but then I saw that the Hawks were down 17-2.  Dang.

That's why I like the Hornets -- they're well coached, even though I don't actually like most of the players on their team individually.

[PhoSita]

Ok. We're at .500 again in the beginning of January. I know tons of people are worried. I don't feel like we're in awful shape. Last year at this point we were 13-24. We're slowly playing like ourselves again. Brad MAY let Mickey play tonight because the bigs have been really slouching as of late. Could be worse. I think they'll get out of the losing funk tonight or Friday. Still think we'll wind up between 5th and 7th seed at the end of the season.

Let's say the team goes on another run in February and March and finishes seeded 5-7.

Do they have a plausible shot of winning a playoff series?  Or how about winning a playoff game, period?

I just don't think this team can score well enough against decent opponents to really have a chance.  I've seen just about enough of this team to know they're in the same spot as last year: not worth making the playoffs.

If Danny gets rid of some of the more veteran / expiring type guys on the team and Brad plays Hunter / Mickey / Rozier / Young a lot more and the team still makes the playoffs, then OK.  At least then they'd get there by playing the young guys.  Making the playoffs because Amir Johnson and Evan Turner help us get there does nothing for me.

[celticsclay]

When they were hitting shots, Charlotte was a lot more fun to watch this year than in years past.  But they were like a poor man's version of Atlanta, which was a poor man's version of the 2013 Spurs.  Not a huge surprise they've fallen off.

I hope I did not reverse jinx them. They are smacking around the hawks right now. Hawks have 2 points in 7 minutes!

I know, I went to NBA.com and was disappointed to see our game isn't until 5 pm (my time), but then I saw that the Hawks were down 17-2.  Dang.

That's why I like the Hornets -- they're well coached, even though I don't actually like most of the players on their team individually.

well as they say the nba is a game of a runs. The hawks have now closed to within 20-16 in just 3 minutes of game time. In general it appears that the Hawks have found there mojo over the last 6 weeks. Charlotte is also really hurting for depth with no big al, no MKG and off and on injuries for Batum.

Edit: 20-19 after `1

[celticsclay]

Ok. We're at .500 again in the beginning of January. I know tons of people are worried. I don't feel like we're in awful shape. Last year at this point we were 13-24. We're slowly playing like ourselves again. Brad MAY let Mickey play tonight because the bigs have been really slouching as of late. Could be worse. I think they'll get out of the losing funk tonight or Friday. Still think we'll wind up between 5th and 7th seed at the end of the season.

Let's say the team goes on another run in February and March and finishes seeded 5-7.

Do they have a plausible shot of winning a playoff series?  Or how about winning a playoff game, period?

I just don't think this team can score well enough against decent opponents to really have a chance.  I've seen just about enough of this team to know they're in the same spot as last year: not worth making the playoffs.

If Danny gets rid of some of the more veteran / expiring type guys on the team and Brad plays Hunter / Mickey / Rozier / Young a lot more and the team still makes the playoffs, then OK.  At least then they'd get there by playing the young guys.  Making the playoffs because Amir Johnson and Evan Turner help us get there does nothing for me.

I think by your own admission there really isn't a big difference in the teams that are 5-10, so we would definitely win a single playoff game and I think we would have a real reasonable chance of winning a playoff series depending on the matchup. A team like the bulls looks like they could completely flame out against anyone, while a team like the Hawks would be a much tougher draw. I guess we probably both agree in questioning how much winning said series means long term.

[dreamgreen]

Ok. We're at .500 again in the beginning of January. I know tons of people are worried. I don't feel like we're in awful shape. Last year at this point we were 13-24. We're slowly playing like ourselves again. Brad MAY let Mickey play tonight because the bigs have been really slouching as of late. Could be worse. I think they'll get out of the losing funk tonight or Friday. Still think we'll wind up between 5th and 7th seed at the end of the season.

Let's say the team goes on another run in February and March and finishes seeded 5-7.

Do they have a plausible shot of winning a playoff series?  Or how about winning a playoff game, period?

I just don't think this team can score well enough against decent opponents to really have a chance.  I've seen just about enough of this team to know they're in the same spot as last year: not worth making the playoffs.

If Danny gets rid of some of the more veteran / expiring type guys on the team and Brad plays Hunter / Mickey / Rozier / Young a lot more and the team still makes the playoffs, then OK.  At least then they'd get there by playing the young guys.  Making the playoffs because Amir Johnson and Evan Turner help us get there does nothing for me.

Agreed.

[celticsclay]

Really nice win last night. If the Raptors can beat the Magic in London in a few hours we are back in playoff positioning.

[MBunge]

Ok. We're at .500 again in the beginning of January. I know tons of people are worried. I don't feel like we're in awful shape. Last year at this point we were 13-24. We're slowly playing like ourselves again. Brad MAY let Mickey play tonight because the bigs have been really slouching as of late. Could be worse. I think they'll get out of the losing funk tonight or Friday. Still think we'll wind up between 5th and 7th seed at the end of the season.

Let's say the team goes on another run in February and March and finishes seeded 5-7.

Do they have a plausible shot of winning a playoff series?  Or how about winning a playoff game, period?

If they're playing well, this team has a shot to win a playoff series against anyone except maybe Atlanta or Cleveland and they've got a shot at winning at least a game against those two.  This is clearly a better team than last season, so their ceiling when playing well is higher.

Watching their play the last few weeks, however, makes it clear they could just as easily go on the skids and miss the playoffs no matter who Stevens plays.

Mike