Which year's playoffs should we be targeting?

[chrisab123]

So…the team has said that he’s on target and on schedule yet we’re working ourselves into thinking next year is a bridge year so let’s tank because people have a prospect fetish.

Like it’s all good but let’s be real, they aren’t tanking.

Do you know what that means for the kind of injury Tatum has? I don't think you are fully grasping how serious it is and how long recovery takes. Even if everything goes smoothly it's going to take some real time for Tatum to be Tatum again. That is assuming he ever becomes Tatum again.

I don't think they will "tank" personally. They will try to remain competitive. If this is what you mean then I agree.

The team has been saying everything that would make people believe he’s going to be back at some point during the season. But apparently we have a bunch of doctors on here that know better. I’m not expecting him to be 100% initially but he’s going to be back to 100% at some point. People are acting like he’s 35.

[Parliament10]

So…the team has said that he’s on target and on schedule yet we’re working ourselves into thinking next year is a bridge year so let’s tank because people have a prospect fetish.

Like it’s all good but let’s be real, they aren’t tanking.

Do you know what that means for the kind of injury Tatum has? I don't think you are fully grasping how serious it is and how long recovery takes. Even if everything goes smoothly it's going to take some real time for Tatum to be Tatum again. That is assuming he ever becomes Tatum again.

I don't think they will "tank" personally. They will try to remain competitive. If this is what you mean then I agree.

The team has been saying everything that would make people believe he’s going to be back at some point during the season. But apparently we have a bunch of doctors on here that know better. I’m not expecting him to be 100% initially but he’s going to be back to 100% at some point. People are acting like he’s 35.

Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Co. will all be competing. They're not taking any time off.
Now, if and when Jayson Tatum gets back, he'll be competing as well. He appears ahead of schedule.

I believe that we have to plan for the 2026 Playoffs. Everybody will be developing; including the aforementioned.

[Hal14]

So…the team has said that he’s on target and on schedule yet we’re working ourselves into thinking next year is a bridge year so let’s tank because people have a prospect fetish.

Like it’s all good but let’s be real, they aren’t tanking.

Do you know what that means for the kind of injury Tatum has? I don't think you are fully grasping how serious it is and how long recovery takes. Even if everything goes smoothly it's going to take some real time for Tatum to be Tatum again. That is assuming he ever becomes Tatum again.

I don't think they will "tank" personally. They will try to remain competitive. If this is what you mean then I agree.

The team has been saying everything that would make people believe he’s going to be back at some point during the season. But apparently we have a bunch of doctors on here that know better. I’m not expecting him to be 100% initially but he’s going to be back to 100% at some point. People are acting like he’s 35.

Where did the team say that?

Got a link?

Here's a link: https://nesn.com/2025/07/brad-stevens-addresses-jayson-tatums-injury-recovery/

Brad says:
“We’re not even talking about a timeline for return. We’re not even going there."

No one is acting like Tatum is 35. Look at Jamal Murray..tore his ACL at age 25..tore it in April, a few weeks before Tatum who tore his achilles in May. Murray then sat out the entire season, took his time with rehab. Didn't rush to try and make a comeback late in the following season. Just aimed for a return on opening night the next season, after sitting out an entire season. It was the right move - he came back and helped the Nuggets win the 2023 NBA title.

[Parliament10]

We make the Playoffs this year.
How far we get, is another question.

[dans1230]

We make the Playoffs this year.
How far we get, is another question.

The question is "should we" and rationally thinking the answer is no. This team even with JT is not built to contend with the top 5 or 6 in the west. Give some playing time to the younger guys , hopefully we get a couple postitive assets and a decent pick that either helps us moving forward or are tradeable pieces.

[OBisHalJordan]

I think this team, even without Tatum, is too good to tank. Maybe the front court is so bad and I am mistaken? In any case, I don't think tanking is a good strategy. Trying lose turns you into losers. Look at Philly. It's an unfair conclusion but I'm going to jump it it anyway: Embiid wouldn't be the stat padding Jokic dodging loser he is today, if he was drafted to Boston that was always trying to compete and be professional every game.

[Curmudgeon]

This year and every year.

[Bad-Thoma]

People talking about tanking?