Would you rather win the lottery or make the ECF?

[SHAQATTACK]

I want to watch basketball....not waste time with lottery games .....

[indeedproceed]

Really isn't close to me, win the lottery. We don't have a star yet.

[Quetzalcoatl]

We don't hang Eastern Conference Runners Up banners, so win the lottery.  Even getting second pick would work

[slamtheking]

We don't hang Eastern Conference Runners Up banners, so win the lottery.  Even getting second pick would work

this is my thinking as well.

ECF isn't good enough.

[Roy H.]

If it was "win the lottery or lose an epic 7 game series against the Warriors in the Finals", I *might* prefer the season ending loss.

But in the ECF?  That's not even that exciting.

[Celtics18]

I'll go with "get to the ECF (and win two against the Cavs)." 

I'll happily take my chances with Hield or Murray in the draft.

[td450]

We don't hang Eastern Conference Runners Up banners, so win the lottery.  Even getting second pick would work

When you think of making the ECF, it isn't the end goal. It provides your team with an opportunity to grow, and it also changes the perception among free agents and general managers about where the team and its players are. Free agent signings are easier, and so are trades. The collective value of most of the teams assets go up.

Of course, getting Simmons or Ingram helps too. Its always nice to be in a win/win situation.

[fairweatherfan]

The date of the lottery draw means we'd see our team lose the lottery at the same time we were getting overwhelmed by the Cavs.  I'll take the lottery please (and thank you).

[footey]

That's tough.  I want to instinctively say "lotto"...

Here's what it depends on, to me.

How much of a difference will it make to Kevin Durant if Boston is swept in the first round, makes it to round 2, or makes it to the ECF?

I get that a trip to ECF means a possible trip to the Finals, but I'm assuming you are saying ECF would be the last stop.

Regardless, my guess is winning the lotto is better for Boston.  We either keep Ben Simmons, or have a god-tier asset to lure a sidekick for Durant with.

Good point, which is why I figured that we would barely lose to the Heat in 7, and that they would barely lose to the Cavs in 7, so we still look decent to Kevin.

[csfansince60s]

Let me think.

Justise Winslow/Myles Turner or playoff failure?

Oh, wait....wrong year.....

Let me rephrase...short term "success" vs long term gain?

Answer's the same for me this year as it was last year: if there is no chance for a championship, you take what makes the franchise better for the long run.

[celticsclay]

Let me think.

Justise Winslow/Myles Turner or playoff failure?

Oh, wait....wrong year.....

Let me rephrase...short term "success" vs long term gain?

Answer's the same for me this year as it was last year: if there is no chance for a championship, you take what makes the franchise better for the long run.

If we beat Lebron James in a playoff series... man that is something I would really enjoy and would probably lead to them blowing things up in Cleveland and/or him leaving. Hard to put a price on that.

[ManUp]

Winning the lottery.

Ingram and Simmons could be the best Celtics draft selection since Pierce.

Add the fact that they would be coming in to a well managed, well coached, up and coming team and it's a no brainer.

[apc]

If we make it to the ECF, we are TOP free agent destination!!!

[Moranis]

why not both?

if I had to choose, probably win the lottery.  The goal is to win titles, not make the ECF.

[csfansince60s]

Let me think.

Justise Winslow/Myles Turner or playoff failure?

Oh, wait....wrong year.....

Let me rephrase...short term "success" vs long term gain?

Answer's the same for me this year as it was last year: if there is no chance for a championship, you take what makes the franchise better for the long run.

If we beat Lebron James in a playoff series... man that is something I would really enjoy and would probably lead to them blowing things up in Cleveland and/or him leaving. Hard to put a price on that.

TP....I can't disagree with ANYTHING that you said.

That being said, as much as US depriving Bron Bron of a title chance this year would be so immensely satisfying, getting a potential cornerstone/franchise player at #1 is too hard to pass on.