Owners willing to pay luxury tax to win

[KGBirdBias]

Celtics owners said they are willing to go into luxury tax to win. IT probably has a big grin on his face. Now all we need is Rondo and Cousins to drive AD absolutely crazy and he will be ready to roll out. Just hold those assets Danny and be a little more patient.

[Surferdad]

What was the context of that statement?  Link?

Seems like I heard that one a few years ago, but no fireworks...

[saltlover]

What was the context of that statement?  Link?

Seems like I heard that one a few years ago, but no fireworks...

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2017/07/nba_notes_steve_pagliuca_says_celtics_prepared_to_spend_whats_necessary_to

[Roy H.]

To win a championship. Pagliuca didn't commit to paying the tax next year, though. Time will tell.

The team can certainly afford it in light of the massive profits they've been making.

[CelticsElite]

I took it as willing to pay tax "if we win" or get really close. not to win

[Moranis]

too bad Boston isn't going to win

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

Celtics owners said they are willing to go into luxury tax to win. IT probably has a big grin on his face. Now all we need is Rondo and Cousins to drive AD absolutely crazy and he will be ready to roll out. Just hold those assets Danny and be a little more patient.

BEEN SAYIN'  no way is AD gonna want to stay with the peliclowns here. he has been here long enough. get the hell out now! don't wait until you are KG's age when he came to boston. 

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I took it as willing to pay tax "if we win" or get really close. not to win

we should get to the finals in a year or two. Then to beat GS he may have to open up the bank. Maybe he wants to see us get there first and prove we can beat lebron and the cavs.

[kraidstar]

To win a championship. Pagliuca didn't commit to paying the tax next year, though. Time will tell.

The team can certainly afford it in light of the massive profits they've been making.

Ownership claims they were losing money through most of the KG/PP era (I can't find a link, but I've heard Wyc say this a couple times). We always had one of the highest payrolls, and that was under a bad local TV deal and a less lucrative CBA and national TV deal. They gotta be rolling in cash now. They will pay the money if needed.

It also helps having a fanbase that continued to pump money into the franchise during talent-lean years after the KG/Pierce departures. C's fans are the best in the league, and you can bet that gives ownership a lot of confidence to spend money and keep the ball rolling.

[tarheelsxxiii]

too bad Boston isn't going to win

Which makes them no different from Cleveland moving forward... except that Boston has a bright future.

[Roy H.]

To win a championship. Pagliuca didn't commit to paying the tax next year, though. Time will tell.

The team can certainly afford it in light of the massive profits they've been making.

Ownership claims they were losing money through most of the KG/PP era (I can't find a link, but I've heard Wyc say this a couple times). We always had one of the highest payrolls, and that was under a bad local TV deal and a less lucrative CBA and national TV deal. They gotta be rolling in cash now. They will pay the money if needed.

It also helps having a fanbase that continued to pump money into the franchise during talent-lean years after the KG/Pierce departures. C's fans are the best in the league, and you can bet that gives ownership a lot of confidence to spend money and keep the ball rolling.

They had a positive operating income (essentially, profit) every year for the past 15 years. Those profits went from around $5 - $10 million to $50 - $60 million the last few seasons. The Celts are also now worth over $2 billion, not counting their stake in CSN.

[Donoghus]

There's legit losing money then there are paper losses.  I doubt they were legit losing money at any point.

too bad Boston isn't going to win

Then CLE should probably stop burning money then b/c they won't either.

[mobilija]

too bad Boston isn't going to win

Wow.. straight up, no holds barred troll

[Moranis]

There's legit losing money then there are paper losses.  I doubt they were legit losing money at any point.

too bad Boston isn't going to win

Then CLE should probably stop burning money then b/c they won't either.

I don't see anyone beating Golden State if they stay healthy, if Durant or Curry is hurt during the playoffs though, that would make a bunch of their potential matchups a lot more interesting and any of Cleveland, San Antonio, or Houston might beat them. 

[Donoghus]

There's legit losing money then there are paper losses.  I doubt they were legit losing money at any point.

too bad Boston isn't going to win

Then CLE should probably stop burning money then b/c they won't either.

I don't see anyone beating Golden State if they stay healthy, if Durant or Curry is hurt during the playoffs though, that would make a bunch of their potential matchups a lot more interesting and any of Cleveland, San Antonio, or Houston might beat them.

Sure.  And by continuing to play the hypothetical game, the Celtics are probably only Lebron & Durant injuries from winning it all.