Nah - it's moreso because Boston is still viewed as a "Racist" city by outsiders. If you remember, even KG called Gary Payton and asked him the truth about Boston when he was making a decision on whether to accept a trade here
But yeah, obviously warmer climates are always going to attract more stars than colder climates
I think that perception is dead and buried especially with this new generation of players.
KG might not have know the truth about Boston, but these new cats, the under 30 crowd know the truth.
I kinda have to agree. I would think among current pro players the following places have to be considered at least in the same general league of racist, if not more so....
Anything in Texas
Anything Florida (well maybe not Miami. Maybe not Orlando either)
Anything in Georgia
Philly and Pitt (no seriously)
Charlotte
Memphis
A lot of the Bible Belt
Phoenix
You know what. I'm backing off this a bit. Let me just say I think these places and others present just as many "cultural challenges" to modern athletes as Boston.
If you compare say Boston to Orlando......Boston has the possible cultural problems AND the bad weather. Orlando has great weather and no major reputation of anything all that bad.
Even with Boston's issues they're still more desirable than say Minnesota, which has one of the most liberal fan bases in the country. But it's hard to say they're more desirable than say New Orleans with a rich inclusive culture, phenomenal food, cheaper living, and warmer weather.
Plus to be fair NY, LA, Chicago, Houston, and I think Philly are #s 1-5 in population. Just more people come from there. Look at electoral votes. It's like Cali, Texas, Florida, PA or something. Just more athletes have lived there or gone to school there. There's a ton of major colleges in these areas. There's only BC and UConn in New England. And a lot of their recruits come from NY, NJ, and PA.
Boston will always have to recruit, whereas these other places will always have some home grown talent.