Rick Carlisle believes the Celtics have a legitimate shot to make the finals

[jbpats]

and at this point I have to agree. Toronto is falling apart, although Serge was a great pickup for them.. and Cleveland is just missing the fire right now, if Love's injury lingers that will be a huge blow.
Not saying we will make the finals but I am starting to believe its a possibility.

http://nesn.com/2017/02/why-rick-carlisle-believes-celtics-have-legitimate-chance-to-make-nba-finals/

[perks-a-beast]

As currently constructed - The C's would get slaughtered in a series by CLE or TOR. Would probably put up a fight to Washigton but lose in 6 or 7. This is a silly statement by Carlisle unless LeBron and DeRozan pulled both their ACL's and I just haven't heard yet.

This reminds me when we got Antoine back in 2005. We went on a huge winning steak and everyone started massively over reacting to it saying we could make the finals..we lost to Indy in the first round.

Even without Kevin Love the Cavs would man handle the Celtics. They have the best player in the world and just beat one of the best teams in NBA history to win the chip 8 months ago. Any team with LeBron and Kyrie are beating this Celtics team. Doesn't matter who the other 13 guys are.

[Fireworks_Boom!]

Help is coming in some format. Jimmy Butler posturing seems to be happening in spurts from both sides (a week ago it was "Celtics still vying for PG13 or Butler" now it's "Bulls will accept Godfather offer says 1 NBA GM"). This would constitute smoke...not fire yet but certainly smoke.

I'm not sure if the help will be a big move like Butler or a minor one like Bogut, or both (my preference). But something is happening. And when this happens, we can compete with any team in the East in a best of 7.

In Summary:

1. Celtics trade Brooklyn '17 & '18/Marcus Smart/Amir Johnson/Tyler Zeller for Jimmy Butler/Taj Gibson

2. Celtics trade Jonas Jerebko/James Young/Jordan Mickey/Celtics 2018 Pick for Andrew Bogut

New Team
PG: Thomas
SG: Bradley
SF: Butler
PF: Crowder
C: Horford

Bench: Rozier, Gibson, Olynyk, Bogut, Brown, Jackson, Green, Nader (brought up from G League)

Snap! That team can strongly compete!!

[KGBirdBias]

Help is coming in some format. Jimmy Butler posturing seems to be happening in spurts from both sides (a week ago it was "Celtics still vying for PG13 or Butler" now it's "Bulls will accept Godfather offer says 1 NBA GM"). This would constitute smoke...not fire yet but certainly smoke.

I'm not sure if the help will be a big move like Butler or a minor one like Bogut, or both (my preference). But something is happening. And when this happens, we can compete with any team in the East in a best of 7.

In Summary:

1. Celtics trade Brooklyn '17 & '18/Marcus Smart/Amir Johnson/Tyler Zeller for Jimmy Butler/Taj Gibson

2. Celtics trade Jonas Jerebko/James Young/Jordan Mickey/Celtics 2018 Pick for Andrew Bogut

New Team
PG: Thomas
SG: Bradley
SF: Butler
PF: Crowder
C: Horford

Bench: Rozier, Gibson, Bogut, Brown, Jackson, Green, Nader (brought up from G League)

Snap! That team can strongly compete!!

I like that team but where is KO? I like Bogut and Butler if we can keep Brown, Crowder and AB.

[blink]

Help is coming in some format. Jimmy Butler posturing seems to be happening in spurts from both sides (a week ago it was "Celtics still vying for PG13 or Butler" now it's "Bulls will accept Godfather offer says 1 NBA GM"). This would constitute smoke...not fire yet but certainly smoke.

I'm not sure if the help will be a big move like Butler or a minor one like Bogut, or both (my preference). But something is happening. And when this happens, we can compete with any team in the East in a best of 7.

In Summary:

1. Celtics trade Brooklyn '17 & '18/Marcus Smart/Amir Johnson/Tyler Zeller for Jimmy Butler/Taj Gibson

2. Celtics trade Jonas Jerebko/James Young/Jordan Mickey/Celtics 2018 Pick for Andrew Bogut

New Team
PG: Thomas
SG: Bradley
SF: Butler
PF: Crowder
C: Horford

Bench: Rozier, Gibson, Bogut, Brown, Jackson, Green, Nader (brought up from G League)

Snap! That team can strongly compete!!

I really hope we don't trade our best asset for jimmy butler.  If we want long term contention we need to keep the pick.

[Fireworks_Boom!]

Olynyk was an accidental omission. Good catch as he would be an important role player in stretching the floor.

Help is coming in some format. Jimmy Butler posturing seems to be happening in spurts from both sides (a week ago it was "Celtics still vying for PG13 or Butler" now it's "Bulls will accept Godfather offer says 1 NBA GM"). This would constitute smoke...not fire yet but certainly smoke.

I'm not sure if the help will be a big move like Butler or a minor one like Bogut, or both (my preference). But something is happening. And when this happens, we can compete with any team in the East in a best of 7.

In Summary:

1. Celtics trade Brooklyn '17 & '18/Marcus Smart/Amir Johnson/Tyler Zeller for Jimmy Butler/Taj Gibson

2. Celtics trade Jonas Jerebko/James Young/Jordan Mickey/Celtics 2018 Pick for Andrew Bogut

New Team
PG: Thomas
SG: Bradley
SF: Butler
PF: Crowder
C: Horford

Bench: Rozier, Gibson, Bogut, Brown, Jackson, Green, Nader (brought up from G League)

Snap! That team can strongly compete!!

I like that team but where is KO? I like Bogut and Butler if we can keep Brown, Crowder and AB.

[jbpats]

Help is coming in some format. Jimmy Butler posturing seems to be happening in spurts from both sides (a week ago it was "Celtics still vying for PG13 or Butler" now it's "Bulls will accept Godfather offer says 1 NBA GM"). This would constitute smoke...not fire yet but certainly smoke.

I'm not sure if the help will be a big move like Butler or a minor one like Bogut, or both (my preference). But something is happening. And when this happens, we can compete with any team in the East in a best of 7.

In Summary:

1. Celtics trade Brooklyn '17 & '18/Marcus Smart/Amir Johnson/Tyler Zeller for Jimmy Butler/Taj Gibson

2. Celtics trade Jonas Jerebko/James Young/Jordan Mickey/Celtics 2018 Pick for Andrew Bogut

New Team
PG: Thomas
SG: Bradley
SF: Butler
PF: Crowder
C: Horford

Bench: Rozier, Gibson, Olynyk, Bogut, Brown, Jackson, Green, Nader (brought up from G League)

Snap! That team can strongly compete!!

I'd assume Cap issues would make it impossible to land Butler and Drummond?

[Fireworks_Boom!]

Saltlover could comment on this but yes I would assume so.

[TheSundanceKid]

Help is coming in some format. Jimmy Butler posturing seems to be happening in spurts from both sides (a week ago it was "Celtics still vying for PG13 or Butler" now it's "Bulls will accept Godfather offer says 1 NBA GM"). This would constitute smoke...not fire yet but certainly smoke.

I'm not sure if the help will be a big move like Butler or a minor one like Bogut, or both (my preference). But something is happening. And when this happens, we can compete with any team in the East in a best of 7.

In Summary:

1. Celtics trade Brooklyn '17 & '18/Marcus Smart/Amir Johnson/Tyler Zeller for Jimmy Butler/Taj Gibson

2. Celtics trade Jonas Jerebko/James Young/Jordan Mickey/Celtics 2018 Pick for Andrew Bogut

New Team
PG: Thomas
SG: Bradley
SF: Butler
PF: Crowder
C: Horford

Bench: Rozier, Gibson, Olynyk, Bogut, Brown, Jackson, Green, Nader (brought up from G League)

Snap! That team can strongly compete!!

That team would get crucified on the boards even more so than now. The bench has no proven ball handler either which we'd have to manage. Also Nader wont be brought up til next year due to contract control, obviously not the most important point but it's the little things that help the long term management.

I'm dead against trading both Brooklyn picks for Butler, let alone Smart as well. You are trading your whole future for a guy who does not get you past Lebron or GS or the Spurs should they make it. So what's the point? If it was for Davis I can obviously understand, even Cousins because he presents a matchup nightmare for the elite teams. Butler just doesn't.

[Ogaju]

Help is coming in some format. Jimmy Butler posturing seems to be happening in spurts from both sides (a week ago it was "Celtics still vying for PG13 or Butler" now it's "Bulls will accept Godfather offer says 1 NBA GM"). This would constitute smoke...not fire yet but certainly smoke.

I'm not sure if the help will be a big move like Butler or a minor one like Bogut, or both (my preference). But something is happening. And when this happens, we can compete with any team in the East in a best of 7.

In Summary:

1. Celtics trade Brooklyn '17 & '18/Marcus Smart/Amir Johnson/Tyler Zeller for Jimmy Butler/Taj Gibson

2. Celtics trade Jonas Jerebko/James Young/Jordan Mickey/Celtics 2018 Pick for Andrew Bogut

New Team
PG: Thomas
SG: Bradley
SF: Butler
PF: Crowder
C: Horford

Bench: Rozier, Gibson, Olynyk, Bogut, Brown, Jackson, Green, Nader (brought up from G League)

Snap! That team can strongly compete!!

No it cant. What a terrible use of our assets. You let go of Smart, BKN 17 AND 18 and all you have to show is Butler, Gibson and Bogut? Danny should be fired on the spot if he does that.

[spikelovetheCelts]

Ball and Fultz are better than Butler. Butler has peaked and his head is not the celtic way. Wait a year. Danny will trade some lower assist to get us to win a round. IMO that is the way to go. Fireworks are always best in the Summer time any how.

[playdream]

As someone has said, 17 nets pick alone is an overpay for Butler..