I still see us getting crushed by the cavs in the playoffs if we manage to get that far. It was a great win, but the playoffs are a different beast.
I think the plan stays the same. We will go for a quasi star if we can get him for a bargain. We will go all-in on a legit superstar if one hits the market. Otherwise we will head into the offseason with double max cap space and tons of flexibility.
Negative LarBrd33 to the rescue.
I disagree. Just because the fourth youngest team was swept out of the playoffs by the Cavs last season, doesn't mean that we can't win this year. This was a Celtic team that was star-studded by the Cavs earlier this year. The Celtics played the Cavs like a younger brother plays a bigger brother--timid, scared, and indecisive. Last night might have been the Celtics figuring out that they can grind against the Cavs. Thomas was not efficient, but he started to figure it out a little in the 4th. Crowder got a lot of open shots that he normally makes, but again, he looked a little scared offensively (not defensively).
This is a different team than last year. They are tougher, grittier, and more efficient. They have developed.
Don't underestimate how togetherness, feistiness, and positivity can beat negativity, passivity, disconnecteness, and entitlement.
I'm not guaranteeing a win if the Celtics played the Cavs in the playoffs, but I don't think we get "crushed."
in defense of lb, his point is a valid one shared by many here. lb has posted with a preposterous amount of negativity in the past, which has stirred up copious amount of justified ire. but in this instance his post is realistic and i think sincere.
here, i agree with him and his reasonsing.
I've posted copious amount of rational thought and realism with a mild twinge of pessimism. This team would get crushed by the Cavs in a 7 game series.
DefenseWinsChamps, you should change your name to "TalentWinsChamps". Unless LeBron gets hurt or we shake up the roster in a significant way, this team isn't getting over the Cavs hump. Let's not forget that this Boston team beat the Cavs twice last season. It didn't stop them from curb-stomping us in 4 games come playoff time.
I think we've played really well. OUr team is better than last year (on pace to win 47 games). We should be happy about the win last night. The team is on a hot streak. If we stand pat, we'd maybe even sneak out a win or two against them... but in a 7 game series, we're not beating them.
Don't take my word for it. Ainge himself admits this team isn't competing for a championship. As he describes it: “The reality is that we haven’t done anything yet other than not falling to the bottom of the barrel.”
Nothing changes. If an upgrade can be had for very little (Gallo for a late 1st), we'll probably jump on it. If a true superstar game-changer like Cousins, Blake or Durant hits the market... Boston will give up the entire farm to try and snag the guy. Otherwise, we'll stay the course, do our best to go deep into the playoffs, hope for the best in the lotto and go hard in free agency.