Making the playoffs would be a sigh of relief for Bird and Walsh.
And that is exactly what the problem is. It would bring a sense of relief, and a tendancy toward a continued "tinkering" with the roster rather than the start of true rebuilding.
If we miss the playoffs, that is the best means I know of to light a fire under the posteriors of Walsh and Bird and finally hit them squarely in their faces with a sense of urgency in making some real changes to the roster.
I know what Will is saying in no appreciable difference between picking at #7 and #15. But I believe there is the perception of a potential huge difference in selecting at one over the other. Such a difference that a trade of #7 plus Tinsley for example for a higher pick in the draft has much more appeal than a trade of #15 plus Tinsley.
What if such a trade could be made? Let's say for a #4 pick. Is that worthwhile?
I'm a firm believer in stockpiling the best assets you can get your hands on. From my perspective, having #7 as an asset is significantly better than having #15. If nothing else, it gives you choices at #7 that #15 does not offer. At #15, you are dealing with what #7 thru #14 didn't take, even if the player is not appreciably worse than the earlier picks.