Did the Unselfishness of the Big Four Bring Murphy Here?

[Jon]

I keep running through the logic that Troy Murphy used in his decision to come here.  And while I'm thrilled he chose the Celtics, I still can't think of many logical reasons why. 

Miami is also a very good team and there he could have conceivably started (not necessarily likely, but possible). 

Here, he's going to be hard-pressed to crack the rotation when everyone is healthy and could potentially (though it's fairly unlikely) be in street clothes during playoff games (The Big Four, Shaq, JO, Nenad, BBD, Green, West, and say Brewer and Ford could make it possible). 

So I asked myself, what gives?  And I really think it may have been the perceived selfishiness of Miami's Big Three vs. the selflessness of our Big Four. 

Here KG didn't give a [dang] last night as Nenad Krstic scored more points in the first half than he did.  Here Paul Pierce doesn't care when he scores in the single digits, as long as the team wins. 

How do you think LeBron and Company would feel if Troy put up more point than they did in the first half?  He probably wouldn't see the ball in the second half. 

And I think that thinking may have brought Troy to Boston, knowing that while he may have more competition, he may actually see the ball more while on the court, which could drive up his value next year. 

[hwangjini_1]

Nah... It's the chowdah. 

[snively]

Not sure if you are reading LeBron correctly, Jon.  I've never considered him a selfish player or overly concerned about his point totals.  He's a glory-hound sure, but he's not particular about how he gets it.  I think that describes Kobe a bit more (or Shaq in his prime). 

Still, I'm sure the equal opportunity offense has some appeal.

Honestly, I think Murphy is a Northeast guy, who probably appreciates the Celtics lore more than the next NBA player as a big, gawky Irish kid who grew up watching Larry Bird bring glory to the green.

Also, I think the C's may be more willing to offer him a long-term contract than Miami.  Bosh is going to be a big minutes guy for awhile in Miami, Haslem is a rock-solid back-up and they're going to be looking for a defensive-oriented center in the offseason. Meanwhile KG is probably going to dip under 30mpg by next season, the O'Neal brothers are going to be low-minute guys, and Murphy's skillset is a brilliant fit with Rondo (he can space the floor, shoot the trailer 3 on the break, and trigger an up-tempo pace with his work on the defensive boards).  If there's an MLE in the new CBA and Murphy plays well for us, I could definitely see the C's offering him that for a bunch of years (he's still relatively young).

[footey]

I think the opportunity to play with guys like our big 4, and for a coach like Doc, is far more appealing to a guy who is about to turn 31 with no hardware to show, than a those guys in South Beach.

Of course, I was one the ones who thought he would choose Miami because there would be more PT, so don't take stock in what I say now!!

[LooseCannon]

By playing with the Celtics, he has a better chance of convincing future employers that he is not as horrible on defense as his reputation would have you believe.

Ainge secretly wants to get rid of Glen Davis and thinks that a combination of Murphy and Green can hold down the backing up of the 3, 4, and 5 spots behind the O'Neals, KG, and Pierce.  Murphy is auditioning for a full MLE contract to that end (if the MLE still exists after the next CBA).

Murphy still has residual resentment over the hour of his life he wasted watching The Decision on ESPN.

Murphy actually flipped a coin and Ainge called heads.

[greenpride32]

I think the reason is simple; best chance to win a ring.

[droponov]

After writing Ainge's mock pitch I realized that Boston's case was stronger than I initially thought: Ainge could sell him 1) the possibility of taking over Glen Davis' minutes 2) the fact that Bosh will play 40 mpg in Miami and that they'll want to pair him with defensive bigs like Dampier, Anthony and Haslem, meaning he'd probably be reduced to backup Bosh. I'd rate this as the most important factor, followed by the fact that he's more likely to have a higher usage rate in Boston than in Miami. 

I think the most important factor not related to playing time/opportunities was the generational aspect. Boston's a team with more veterans, where veterans are the core, and with a reputation of being a team with great off-court and lockerroom chemistry - he probably thought he'd fit better here.

[Emmette Bryant]

I think that all shooters want to play with Rondo.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Nah... It's the chowdah. 

Or he heard about the peanut butter sandwiches.

[2short]

I think the reason is simple; best chance to win a ring.

and stay with us next year and have the chance of being starting center with shaq retiring, jermaine krstic and murphy going after the job with pf minutes available when davis leaves

[harrmonica]

I think the reason is simple; best chance to win a ring.

ding, ding, ding! we have a winner.

guy has the longest active streak w/o reaching the playoffs. i sense he wants to win.

[Spilling Green Dye]

Danny Ainge sat across from Troy Murphy and said, "This very team came within minutes of winning the title last year, with the loss mostly attributed to lack of rebounding.  You can be that difference maker."

[Papatrichs]

The system here is in place and its working while in MIA they're still trying to figure it out how to do their business. Most of the Heat wins are mostly because from their Mediocre 3.

[BASS_THUMPER]

who is Troy Murphy?

[mmbaby]

I liked what Emmett said that all shooters want to play with Rhondo. Makes sense.

I'm not getting all excited about this because I just read an appreciation thread for him when he was leaving Pacers(?)  and going to NJ and it was all negative and said he was overpaid at 12 mill. Everyone was saying thank you for working so hard, etc. but it was always followed by they were glad to see him leave. Maybe the Celtics setup will work better for him. Hope so.