"Say hello to the dummy who believes the Celtics should still tank. It's me. The rootin'-for-losin' dope. Now, tanking almost certainly would be the best outcome of the 2025-26 season for the franchise in the long run. Acknowledge that, at least, before we dig into why it's not happening. You know the tanker's script: Win 30-something games, slide into the lottery, hope for their own fortunate bounces of the Ping-Pong balls such as the Mavericks, Spurs, and 76ers got in the last draft."
"But like I said, it's not happening. Turns out the good kind of pride won't let it. The Celtics have lost so much from their delightful championship team of two years ago. Their best all-around player and true superstar to a serious injury (Tatum). Their top three big men (Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet). One of their two do-whatever-you-need guards (Jrue Holiday)."
"Start with Brown, because everything good about this team starts with Brown right now. He is the biggest reason the Celtics are 13-9 and in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, having won eight of their last 10 games entering Friday night's matchup with the Lakers. In the past when Tatum has been absent, Brown's game sometimes devolved into chaos. Not anymore. He has handled the weight of being the No. 1 option with aplomb,"
Some fans believe the Celtics should tank to secure a top draft pick in 2025-26. Tanking would theoretically allow a high draft pick and a young complement to Jaylen Brown and the returning Jayson Tatum. Multiple key players are unavailable, including Jayson Tatum (injury), Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Jrue Holiday. The team nevertheless sits 13-9 and fifth in the Eastern Conference, winning eight of their last ten entering the Lakers game. Jaylen Brown has embraced the No. 1 role and stabilized the offense. Emerging supporting players and collective pride have kept the team competitive, preventing intentional tanking.
Read at Boston.com
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