What's your minimum expectation for this season?

[PhoSita]

We all hope the Celts win a title every year.

That doesn't mean we expect it, though.

Even so, we all have certain expectations for the team based on where we think they are talent-wise and in relation to the rest of the league.

There is, in other words, a baseline.  If the team gets past it, we can feel OK about the season even if we're a little bit disappointed.  If the team falls below it, maybe that's a reason to reconsider how we see the team and what we think they need to do moving forward.



My question for you is, what is your baseline? 

Put another way, what is the accomplishment that, if the team falls short of it, would make you change how you evaluate the state of the team?

Winning 45-50 games and making the playoffs?

Winning at least 2-3 games in the 1st round and maybe hosting a game 6 or 7?

Winning a playoff series?

Etc.

[Denis998]

What I hope - Win a playoff series
What I expect - Get bounced in the first round.

We are the Clippers of the East essentially at this point.

[Who]

ECF

[jpotter33]

Before the season started, I thought it would be a failure if we didn't make it to the ECF. With our additions combined with how we played last year, that was a reasonable threshold. I thought we were right there with Toronto with us having the slight edge. I would've been satisfied with a long, hard fought series with Toronto that we lost in game 7. So I'd say 50+ wins, home court advantage, and advancing to the ECF were my optimistic expectations for this season, and at the very least 50+ wins, home court advantage, and losing in the second round after a hard fought 7 game series with the Raptors.

Now with how we've seemingly flipped from an average offensive team and an elite defensive team, which I thought Horford would improve us in both categories, to a good offensive team and a disastrous defensive team (worst in the league since Christmas), I honestly expect us to get bounced in the first round with no other roster changes, which would be a total failure of a season. We still have a decent shot at home court advantage, though it wouldn't surprise me at all to see us slip to 4th or 5th in the standings. This  just isn't winning playoff basketball that we're playing right now, and we have multiple weaknesses that can be easily exploited in the playoffs.

Right now, I'd really only feel confident playing the Hornets in the first round. I think the Wizards, Pacers, Bucks, Bulls, and Pistons would present a real challenge with our terrible rotation of bigs, lack of rebounding, and inability to stop their main offensive pieces, and they could possibly knock us off in the first round.

[PhoSita]

Personally, I've felt ever since they added Horford that they were too good not to win a playoff series, but probably still a step behind Toronto.

I'll be pleased if they get to the second round and put up a decent fight against the Raptors (or the Cavs, if the seeding works out that way).

If they lose in the 1st round again and there isn't an easy excuse (i.e. Isaiah goes down with an injury), I think I'll have to reconsider how I feel about this group.

[Ilikesports17]

Based on where we are today.

We must win 50 games and a playoff series. Anything less is a massive dissapointment.

Losing in the second round in 6 or 7 is a bummer, but not too big a deal, losing in 4 or 5 is a major dissapointment.

Making the ECF and losing in 4 or 5 is a success. Making the ECF and losing in 6 or 7 is a massive success.

Making the finals is an unquantifiable level of success.

[Big333223]

Personally, I've felt ever since they added Horford that they were too good not to win a playoff series, but probably still a step behind Toronto.

I'll be pleased if they get to the second round and put up a decent fight against the Raptors (or the Cavs, if the seeding works out that way).

If they lose in the 1st round again and there isn't an easy excuse (i.e. Isaiah goes down with an injury), I think I'll have to reconsider how I feel about this group.

Basically, this. Progress is what matters to me and that means, at a bare minimum, winning a playoff series. I'd add that if they just get swept in the second round, I won't be happy. I'll be okay if they lose in 6 to Toronto in the second round. But anything less than that and I'll feel like they underachieved.

[hwangjini_1]

We all hope the Celts win a title every year.

That doesn't mean we expect it, though.

Even so, we all have certain expectations for the team based on where we think they are talent-wise and in relation to the rest of the league.

...

we dont? 

[Tr1boy]

Get past 1st round

[Greyman]

Many fans want to win at least one round in the playoffs to have some symbol that the team is moving forward. Whatever other markers you want to measure by, actual playoff success is the bottom line. I could care less that the team's defence is weaker if the team progresses further.

Not getting Durant has left things in a kind of limbo for me. Having Horford has made us better and moved the team ahead of some others. The Celtics don't seem quite like contenders yet and there are so many options for the team going forward (in terms of what DA might do with trades, free agency and the Nets pick). Possibly someone becomes available who isn't an all star but could make the team better, does DA take them or wait for that star to hit the market or see what transpires with the draft?

I am sure DA is looking at the options that could make the Celtics contenders this season, though he won't wreck what has been built already to overpay for a player. If nothing happens he knows that the future is bright due to the young talent already secured and the Nets pick/s. The next off season will also bring more FAs onto the market.

I really want us to be contenders but I get the feeling that will be next season (or the one after) and improving the teams playoff performance may have to suffice this season. I am still hoping DA pulls something out of the hat in the meantime, that could change everything.

[mr. dee]

Winning less games than last year's team this season will be a huge disappointment.

[droopdog7]

I don't know whether it's an expectation.  But wining a playoff series would be good for the team.

[Somebody]

WIN IT ALL!!!

[tarheelsxxiii]

Personally, I've felt ever since they added Horford that they were too good not to win a playoff series, but probably still a step behind Toronto.

I'll be pleased if they get to the second round and put up a decent fight against the Raptors (or the Cavs, if the seeding works out that way).

If they lose in the 1st round again and there isn't an easy excuse (i.e. Isaiah goes down with an injury), I think I'll have to reconsider how I feel about this group.

Agreed.

[LarBrd33]

Floor:  make playoffs
Ceiling: Lose in 6 games in the ECF