The Celtics could end up with three picks in the lottery

[chambers]

We literally have a 99% chance at making the playoffs.
It's not happening.
With Kevin Durant paying close attention, this is not a year to tank when we have the Brooklyn /Dallas picks.

[wayupnorth]

Smart gets no respect from the refs...rediculous

[Granath]

One of the huge pleasures this year has been having a competitive team to root for, while also rooting for lottery position from Brooklyn / Dallas.  It's like both sides of the playoffs vs. tanking debate can be happy.

Then this thread popped up.  With virtually guaranteed top-5 lottery position and another pick that could fall in the late lottery, why on earth would anybody be rooting for us to miss the playoffs?  Isn't being a flexible, competitive team our primary selling point to free agents?

Because some "fans" are only happy when the team is losing. It's the same actors every time around here. At least it's predictable.

[Roy H.]

One of the huge pleasures this year has been having a competitive team to root for, while also rooting for lottery position from Brooklyn / Dallas.  It's like both sides of the playoffs vs. tanking debate can be happy.

Then this thread popped up.  With virtually guaranteed top-5 lottery position and another pick that could fall in the late lottery, why on earth would anybody be rooting for us to miss the playoffs?  Isn't being a flexible, competitive team our primary selling point to free agents?

Because some "fans" are only happy when the team is losing. It's the same actors every time around here. At least it's predictable.

I don't want to criticize other fans, but I don't understand the psychology of it. This is about as close to an ideal scenario as possible. I understand tanking: it gives hope when there otherwise is none. But this season? We're swimming in hope. Great coach, fun team, tons of cap space, free agents giving us dap, a top-5 pick and another good selection.

Who looks at that and says "the only thing that would make this season better is more losing?"  Is it caused by the Duncan / Oden drafts, where the franchise endorsed intentionally losing? Is it NBA2k, where you build dynasties through unrealistic draft picks? It seems joyless, but there's got to be some appeal there.

[Lucky17]

Threads like these are a blessing.

[greece66]

Threads like these are a blessing.

[Cman]

One of the huge pleasures this year has been having a competitive team to root for, while also rooting for lottery position from Brooklyn / Dallas.  It's like both sides of the playoffs vs. tanking debate can be happy.

Then this thread popped up.  With virtually guaranteed top-5 lottery position and another pick that could fall in the late lottery, why on earth would anybody be rooting for us to miss the playoffs?  Isn't being a flexible, competitive team our primary selling point to free agents?

That first paragraph summed it all up nicely. It's been a great year. Could it be better? Yes. Here's how: 1. Brooklyn gets top pick in the draft. 2. Cs win the championship. 3. Durant signs with the Cs in the offseason. But I'm not holding my breath on all of these.

[Cman]

Threads like these are a blessing.

That's me after I get the kids to bed.

[max215]

The Brooklyn pick is already in the lottery.
Dallas and Boston could easily fall out of the playoffs with the injuries to Parsons and Crowder.
I kind of hope it happens.

Fantastic, we'll be able to draft three more Terry Roziers! Totally worth the playoff spot!

*Two Roziers...and one top three pick

Wait a minute, isn't this kind-of proving the OP's point? By making the playoffs we got Rozier instead of Winslow/Turner [supposedly]

No, this is proving the point that we don't need to be terrible because the Nets are doing that for us.

[Fred Roberts]

Hey, we certainly could have 3 lotto picks. BKN, DAL and packaging other picks players to trade up.

We've got our own 1st, the likely 1st pick in the 2nd round (nearly a 4th first rounder), and 3 seconds in this draft alone.

If Danny wants to package other future picks or some of our more interesting players, he could get back into the lottery, likely late lottery, no problem.

We are in an ideal spot. Competitive right now, when we aren't supposed to be. Likeable, strong young core of good /tough characters who like each other. Ridiculous cap flexibility and draft picks. Best situation we could be in. And we beat Toronto tonight!

[greece66]

Hey, we certainly could have 3 lotto picks. BKN, DAL and packaging other picks players to trade up.

We've got our own 1st, the likely 1st pick in the 2nd round (nearly a 4th first rounder), and 3 seconds in this draft alone.

If Danny wants to package other future picks or some of our more interesting players, he could get back into the lottery, likely late lottery, no problem.

We are in an ideal spot. Competitive right now, when we aren't supposed to be. Likeable, strong young core of good /tough characters who like each other. Ridiculous cap flexibility and draft picks. Best situation we could be in. And we beat Toronto tonight!

Not to mention that the Philly second rounder is almost as good as a first rounder.

[Lucky17]

Hey, we certainly could have 3 lotto picks. BKN, DAL and packaging other picks players to trade up.

We've got our own 1st, the likely 1st pick in the 2nd round (nearly a 4th first rounder), and 3 seconds in this draft alone.

If Danny wants to package other future picks or some of our more interesting players, he could get back into the lottery, likely late lottery, no problem.

We are in an ideal spot. Competitive right now, when we aren't supposed to be. Likeable, strong young core of good /tough characters who like each other. Ridiculous cap flexibility and draft picks. Best situation we could be in. And we beat Toronto tonight!

TP. Enough said.

[greece66]

I agree with Lucky.

Moreover, check tankathon's draft power rankings: we are easily the first (Philly is third). I mean, we have 1 out 7 picks in the first 35... if this is not good what is 

http://www.tankathon.com/power_rankings

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I would certainly wish for us to not drop in the Playoff picture.

If we have any form of success (get to round 2 and make it an interesting series) in the Playoffs, that to me is more beneficial for us in terms of attracting big free agents than another lottery pick.

I'm already contented with the Brooklyn pick being a close to guaranteed top 5. Anything that happens to the Dallas' pick is gravy, would be great if Dallas miss the post season.

But as far as our pick is concerned, NO WAY I'm tanking just to get another lottery pick. Not when we can show we could be such a tough out in the East. 

[alldaboston]

Yeah, and I could end up dating Hannah Stocking.
I kinda hope it happens.