I like the guy. You can tell he’s a good dude and a smart man. He’s a top twenty NBA player. He could approach borderline top ten if he sticks with Tatum, who’s already top five and could still become the best basketball player in the world in 1-3 years. The only question is whether JB’s willing to accept being our Pippen to JT’s MJ. Hand the man the max we can offer. Nothing would be better than JT and JB being Celtics for life, and bringing another championship dynasty (we’re due). I just am terrified of him wanting to be the number one guy, which he would clearly need to do elsewhere since JT is always going to be that guy for us.
The fact of the matter is that JB can be a HOFer and make
major marketing dollars by winning multiple titles in Boston with JT. Or he can try being the number one guy elsewhere, maybe make w number of all-star appearances, maybe make some local marketing dollars in a small market, and maybe make the HOF (or end up like another top twenty guy of years past such as Glen Rice).
Ultimately, both JT and JB can make the most money and the most history by being as tight together for life in Boston as MJ/Pippen were in Chicago, Malone/Stockton were in Utah, etc. Let’s hope they both agree.