I'll tell you what: They pick Oden or Durant, Allen and KG trades never happen, Pierce is traded for some young players, and instead of a finals appearance with possibly another one next year, there is just another rebuilding phase. The Celtics losing the lottery was the best thing that ever happened to them in the last 20 years.

wat?

As upset as I was that they did lose it, I agree. Although if they did win it then wouldn't have traded Pierce IMO. I still believe(d) that if they had a healthy Oden they would have made the playoffs and maybe the second round. Of course with Oden hurt it would have been a looooooong season but they still could have made the playoffs.

yeah.... this was said right after the game on sportscenter

espn got it right for once IMO

Obviously it was the best thing for them THIS year, but Oden + whatever hot prospects we could have got for Pierce would have probably been a dominant team for years to come.

Would have loved to see Al Jeffersion with Oden

well if this would have happened, Bynum would be on the TWolves, KG would be a Laker, Gasol would still be in Memphis

probably not, but agree with the other two things. KG/Kobe would be preparing to torch the Cavs or something right now

Funniest thing that was pointed out was McHale and Jerry West being in their respective positions, and how their former franchises were given the pieces to go to the Finals.

Disagree, if Oden turns out to be an all-time great it could have been the worst thing...i'll explain.

First we would have Oden ldo.

Second we would still have Big Al (very underrated and a probable all-star for a long time)

Third we would have done just as bad as last year (since Oden would be out all year), and ended up with a top 5 pick, and possibly a top 2 (imagine if we got Beasley or Rose).

If we had a core of Oden/Big Al/Beasley or Rose along with Perk+Rondo/probably West/Gerald etc. we could have been a dynasty for a LONG time (like 10 years long because young players who get the max only get like 12 mil a year I think and we could easily afford to lock up Oden/Al/Beasley or Rose plus also go after a possibly another superstar as well).

Instead now we have a 3-4 year window, then we will have to rebuild once again.

A future 10-15 years of Rondo Green Beasley Jefferson Oden would be disastrous agree with OP.

this probably the stupidest thing I've heard in a long time. you do realize that you are basing this on the fact that in order for this to happen, those players must perform to all their hype right? even if that team does make the playoffs, do you even think for a second that the inexperience of that team will take them far?

Short term it was good for Boston to lose the lottery obviously since they are in the NBA finals. However, with Ray Allen looking like he's been playing with a fork in his back more of the playoffs, I'm starting to think they have more like a two year window than a four year window as currently constructed.

Long term obviously it sucks that they lost the lottery. A core of Oden, Jefferson, Perkins, and Rondo along with whatever they got from dealing Pierce + a likely high lottery pick this year would have been a sick core.

I disagree with this, at least now they HAVE a window. That team that you speak of wouldn't have much if any of a window. By the time that Oden became very good, Pierce would be on the way out.

Celts have 3 big contracts with Pierce, KG & Allen. They have it lined up so that each one expires on successive years. So cap wise they can replace each of those players/contracts with new stars and stretch that window.

What is the order that their contracts expire?

ray then paul then kg

I would be less excited about moving back to Portland.

You realize that this is a bit easier said than done right?

As a fan that has watched the team for the last 4 years, I can say that I love this group of guys (Ray, KG, etc.) because they really seem to enjoy being in Beantown and they play hard generally. With this being said, I had an attachment to all the young guys, and I would have loved to see the C's win a championship with homegrown talent.

Never would have happened with Doc

Yes, of course, but they convinced KG to come here when he originally said no way in hell, so I think at least they have a shot at keeping it going.

Bottom line is that as a Celtics fan I'm happy now (wasn't then) that they missed on the lottery regardless of how this next series turns out.

But the assets to get KG's aren't there anymore.

I think its pretty clear you guys are going to have to blow it up in 3 or 4 years (which is probably the smart way to do it anyway).

But yea, should definitely be happy with how things worked out.

The asset to get KG was jefferson a non lottery pick. Can Danny strike gold again? His drafting track record is pretty good.