http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/columns/story?columnist=forsberg_chris&id=5353361Cool story in general and not because I root for the C's. It is rare you see players take less money and give a team a hometown discount, but 20-30 million dollars is unheard of. I believe there were definitely a couple teams out there - Clippers, Nets, Mavericks in sign and trade, and maybe Knicks, Heat, or Bulls - that would have given Pierce a contract anywhere from 80 - 90 million over four years to show their fan bases they didn't come up empty handed. Easily it could have been argued the guy was Finals MVP and the best player in the playoffs in 2008. He was an All Star in 2009 and in 2010. Injuries hampered him last season and he was still a guy who averaged nearly 19 points, 6 boards, and 4 assists in the playoffs taking on the three best teams record wise in the NBA. (Orl. Cle. and Lal.)
You could argue that making a guy like that the second option to a Wade, Rose, Amare, or Dirk is worth the investment or likewise putting him on a teams with Lopez, Harris, Favors, and another piece or Baron, Griffin, Kaman, and Gordon was worth it. I think Pierce could have easily gotten 15 million if not 20 - 30 million more dollars from another team. That will be money he now has no chance of getting with this new Celtic's deal. Lol talk about the cost of loyalty.
It is unheard of to see anyone turn down that kind of money, I mean these guys have a lot of money but they also live very elaborate and expensive life styles and that is why so many go broke. It is hard to live a certain life style like they do for fifty years when you only make a living for ten. Someday Pierce might regret this and I hope he doesn't but right now, today, it is cool to see a guy care about legacy, loyalty, and winning more than he does money.
I doubt we see another story like this one for a while.