Why do elite players NOT want to play for the Celtics?

[jpk2000]

I'm not buying that 'too old' argument, I think it's a passive and lame excuse that today's players use as well as the media. The 'too old' argument is weak, because the Mavs were able to out play Miami in the finals.

The Mavs used experience against Miami's star power and athleticism. Last season, Celtics fans were not complaining about age when the Celtics jumped out to early start becoming the second best team in the league behind the Spurs. It's not until Perkins was traded and this team started going through a slump Celtics fans jumped off the wagon and started complaining.
   

It's not about this season. It's about the next five plus seasons.

A singular attempt isn't enough when other teams are offering a chance at multiple attempts at a title.

Despite the Celtics being a veteran team, they're still contenders to win 2012. They still have KG, PP, and RA, and all are still playing at high level. We haven't seen a single team  player yet so it's kind of premature to crown a favorite to win it all in 2012.

This year's free agency market has been kind of weak and a lot of teams have not done anything major, but just minor tweaks to rosters. Serious contenders like the Heat, Bulls, Celtics, Thunder, Mavericks, Grizzles, and Lakers have only done minor adjustments.  

With KG and Ray's contract there's not much Danny can do.

[billysan]

Lots of good reasons already posted, but I see more too it stil. My feeling is that we will always be at least 4th or 5th on the superstar list of cities behind these. There are just some things we will never be able to offer.

Miami has South Beach

New York has the night life and media

LA has the movie star life styles

So, that leaves us and Chicago as the major media markets that can reasonablle afford them. Chicago will beat us for now as a destination because they are a younger team and percieved as ascending. We are older and seen as descending.

[Chris]

1. Cold Weather
2. Ability to contend for a championship (I think they will come here when there are other superstars in their prime...currently, that is not the case)
3. Less Prestige than other cold cities like NY and Chicago






18. Boston still has a stigma with some athletes as being racist
19. Taxes

[Tgro]

I got a lot better arguments than I ever bargained here so thanks! I think people are nailing it with reasons. Maybe a few I didn't consider. I can't help but think that there is something going around the league that is being spread amongst the players that is keeping players from wanting to play here. It almost feels like it would damage their rep to come to Boston.

I also think this "buddy ball" stuff of players teaming up with their friends is bigger than ever and I think it's damaging the league. I mean what other sport do elite players talk amongst themselves and then plan on how they are going to get together and create a super-team? It sucks.

Clearly though, none of these guys view the pieces of what the Celtics have as them being added to further create a super-team. I am fairly certain that the Celtics are 1 elite player away RIGHT NOW from seriously contending for another title. In fact, an out and out top 3 favorite with just one more star player. If not better. You give us one more all-star caliber piece and we're looking at sizing up rings this year.

Not only that, I think we're well in position to be contending for years to come with 1 more elite player and plenty of room in the cap plus having our elite 3 come off the bench in backup roles! You give us 1 elite now. Keep Rondo. Have our bench being the big 3 AND plenty of flexible cap space to pick up another player or two?!!! I seriously think the Celtics could contend for the next 3-5 years easily with just a couple more genius DA moves! It should be easy to see by these other guys too. I mean really. We aren't much of a rebuilding project. We're right on the cusp of greatness now and for the foreseeable future.  

Plus the legacy...the fans. Playing for Doc! Come On! When Shaq was healthy briefly at the beginning of last season, did he ever look happier to play with a group of guys who knew how to play team basketball? We could play the best basketball out there with a couple more willing pieces.

I think the bottom line is these HUGE egos don't want to share the spotlight or be considered 3rd or 4th best (or favorite)on our team. They've talked and texted and hung out too much and know who their buddies are and that's where they demand to be traded, or they see themselves as beyond basketball stars and want to be the status symbols of glamorous cities. I think their egos keep them from the Celtics where it is not about ego. It's about great players playing great basketball and being a team!  

Boston just doesn't seem hip enough for them. It doesn't have any of their buddies playing there. And some word feels like it is out amongst the players like maybe they are a "sell out" if they come to Boston. There just seems to be a huge anti-Boston vibe from potential free agents at or nearing their prime.

Its funny, once the peak is starting to fade and the luster of their careers starts to wane, then they want to play for Boston because they know it might be their last best shot at a ring. It just appears apparent that nobody wants to play with us at or nearing their prime. And I think its going to hurt us if this mentality continues.

I also feel like if they are so reluctant to play here. I'm really NOT interested in having them with us. I want real Celtics that want to play for and continue the legacy.  

[blackbird]

5. Boston's perceived history of racism;

I'd argue that race is a larger issue than we're acknowledging (I'm curious why the qualifier "perceived" was used- a technically accurate though loaded phrase). Boston is seen as a white city with very little to offer (culturally) that appeals to young black millionaires.

Another poster mentioned that the Celtics were America's white team when today's players were kids, and that reputation may still hang on them. They are of course to young to remember this, but these kinds of events stain a city's reputation for generations:

[RyNye]

Can somebody actually point me to an interview where an elite player has specifically said they didn't want to play for the Celtics?

Or is this all hyperventilation over the unsourced, anonymous "Chris Paul won't sign an extension" comment that came out DURING TRADE NEGOTIATIONS (seriously, have people not figured out how much "leaking" goes on during negotiations to try and get better deals)?

This year elite players weren't lining up because we don't have cap room to sign them, plain and simple.

If someone can actually show me a comment by a player in the past few years who said outright that they didn't want to play in Boston, I'll believe this, but honestly this just sounds like everybody completely overreacting to nothing.

(Actually, the only comment I can think of was Kevin Garnett in 2007 ... how did that turn out?)

And yeah, sorry, "sources close to [player x]" don't count, because we have no way of knowing if they are true. 90% of those "sources" are bullEdited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline..

[dtrader]

I think the weather is a crap excuse too. Its not like you're in Boston all year round. More than half the season you're travelling to other places to play anyway.

And the big city thing is bull aswell...could you not get a sweet place in new York and travel to Boston when you have to train?

Most (if not all) players live in/around the area where they play.  Yes, you do travel sometimes to warm weather cities, but for a free agent who has his choice to live, why would you choose to train and have all your home games in a cold city, when you could train and play all your home games in a city thats always warm.

Living in NY, and traveling to Boston to train/play doesnt make sense either.  First...why would a multimillionaire choose to have a 4 hour commute? lol  Second, any time you were late (which could happen a lot driving NY to Boston, you'd be fined, and punished by the team.

These guys live and go out primarily in the cities that they play for.  Boston nightlife and climate does not compare to what NY/LA offers.

Additionally, no 20-something athlete cares who won the most titles in the 1960's.  History that far back is meaningless.  The history that matters, is from 1990 and up. Thats likely all they remember.  In that time, the only teams that probably made an impact on their memories, are jordans bulls, and kobe/shaqs lakers.  Any memories they have of the celtics will be negative.  Plus...We dont even have the old garden anymore.  At least with the old garden, we could claim an arena where titles were won.  Now the only NBA arenas with history, are MSG, staples, and the United Center.  

Players talk about how great our history is, and how great it is to play in Boston when theyre already here or on the way over.  No players that are free agents, or playing on other teams ever mention how much they love the city of boston.  Young people see Boston as a place known for academics.  For fun...theyre going to NY, LA, Miami, etc.

Players dont have to come out and say "I dont want to go to boston".  It's not necessary.  All they have to do, is not mention Boston on their list of desired cities (which they do), and specifically talk about other places that seem to have less going on than us, as more desirable.  That accomplishes the same thing. 

[Tgro]

Can somebody actually point me to an interview where an elite player has specifically said they didn't want to play for the Celtics?

Or is this all hyperventilation over the unsourced, anonymous "Chris Paul won't sign an extension" comment that came out DURING TRADE NEGOTIATIONS (seriously, have people not figured out how much "leaking" goes on during negotiations to try and get better deals)?

This year elite players weren't lining up because we don't have cap room to sign them, plain and simple.

If someone can actually show me a comment by a player in the past few years who said outright that they didn't want to play in Boston, I'll believe this, but honestly this just sounds like everybody completely overreacting to nothing.

(Actually, the only comment I can think of was Kevin Garnett in 2007 ... how did that turn out?)

And yeah, sorry, "sources close to [player x]" don't count, because we have no way of knowing if they are true. 90% of those "sources" are bull****.

Can you show me where these players publicly list Boston as one of the Cities they want to be traded to???

[Q_FBE]

Boston may be perceived as being too old school - like harkening back to Red Auerbach, Bill Russell, and Tommy Hiensohn, later John Havlicek, Jo Jo White, and Dave Cowens, then Bird Parish McHale, then it fell apart due to to the deaths of Len Bias and Reggie Lewis. Then there was Paul Ga$ton's ownership, and Rick Pitinoto running the team into the ground. Finally we got Paul Pierce and tradeable assets to get Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to open the latest window. Our main concern is Rondo who has a lot of talent but there are question marks about his shooting and his behavior that are troubling. So as KG JO and RA, then Paul Pierce retire all you have is Rondo and possibly Jeff Green. Are the Perdue rookies going to make an impact? Marquis Daniels? What is your core two years from now?

Does an elite player want to come here and get scrutinized by the local media while putting up with the cold weather. There ain't that much night life either and some of it may not be too safe.

Besides, the Bruins, the Patriots, and the Red Sox get all the attention while the remaining passionate Celtics fans go about our daily lives eating, breathing, and drinking the green Kool-Aid.

[PosImpos]

5. Boston's perceived history of racism;

I'd argue that race is a larger issue than we're acknowledging (I'm curious why the qualifier "perceived" was used- a technically accurate though loaded phrase). Boston is seen as a white city with very little to offer (culturally) that appeals to young black millionaires.

Another poster mentioned that the Celtics were America's white team when today's players were kids, and that reputation may still hang on them. They are of course to young to remember this, but these kinds of events stain a city's reputation for generations:

i can agree with the idea that boston is perceived as too white.  i think the "stuff with bad racial implications has happened here" thing is a bit too much, though.  i mean, there are other cities in areas with much more severe historical racial tension and violence that have no such stigma (athletes are perfectly happy to play in chicago, atlanta, los angeles).

[Greenbean]

In my opinion priorities for elite players goes like this:

1. Money
2. A prolonged winning situation

..and then the equalizers are things like wetaher, tax breaks, night life etc...


The thing is, with max contracts, money is equal for all of these guys, so next players have to look at the organization and what condition it is in.

For example, 3 years ago, CP3 would have accepted a trade to Boston without hesitation. At least 4 more years of competing for a chamionship...heck they might have won all 4 of them!

Now, there is the prospect of rebuilding vs. going to teams with proven younger talent. What would you pick? I know the Lakers seem like they are in a similar situation to the Celtics age wise, but Pau and Bynum are much younger than KG, and Ray. Kobe looks like he can compete for another 4 years with his refined game.

Now you must also make the distinction between free agents and wanting to get traded here.


The Celtics have not been in a position to sign a max contract guy for, well... ever!

If somehow, DH12 and CP3 make it to free agency this summer, the Celtics finally will be in position to strike. If we can somehow get both convinced to sign here a la Miami's summer of 2010, then I have no doubt that the weather, night life, "old school" perception, lack of rappers in the ownership group, even the somewhat smaller media market, would not be deterrents for superstars coming on board here and playing for the Celtics.

Especially if you could fill out the roster with future hall of famers agreeing to play for the vet min...

[Greenbean]

5. Boston's perceived history of racism;

I'd argue that race is a larger issue than we're acknowledging (I'm curious why the qualifier "perceived" was used- a technically accurate though loaded phrase). Boston is seen as a white city with very little to offer (culturally) that appeals to young black millionaires.

Another poster mentioned that the Celtics were America's white team when today's players were kids, and that reputation may still hang on them. They are of course to young to remember this, but these kinds of events stain a city's reputation for generations:

i can agree with the idea that boston is perceived as too white.  i think the "stuff with bad racial implications has happened here" thing is a bit too much, though.  i mean, there are other cities in areas with much more severe historical racial tension and violence that have no such stigma (athletes are perfectly happy to play in chicago, atlanta, los angeles).

This race discussion is moot in my opinion.

Black football players have zero problems playing for the patriots. They win! And when they cant get as much money, they leave, just like every other race of athlete.

Minorities have no issues playing for the Red Sox. The Red Sox offer the most money and they offer a winning situation.

The Celtics in the 80's were primarily white so they were viewed as the White team.

The Lakers were primarily black. It added an interesting dynamic to the rivalry, but in the last 20 years, what athlete has come to this city and publicly complained of racial issues?

It comes down to money and winning.

Also, whoever thinks of Boston as a "white" city has never been to Boston. The Celtics were a white team in the 80's...20 years ago.

[Moreover]

They'll play wherever they pay them more money.

If that is taken care of, they'll pick the place that offers them a larger opportunity to win.

Players couldn't care less about perceived racism or the quality of the sushi restaurants. That kind of stuff has zero influence .

[Marcus13]

They want to play with other superstars.

If we were able to flip Rondo and something for a superstar, it'd be much easier to lure a second

[dtrader]

5. Boston's perceived history of racism;

I'd argue that race is a larger issue than we're acknowledging (I'm curious why the qualifier "perceived" was used- a technically accurate though loaded phrase). Boston is seen as a white city with very little to offer (culturally) that appeals to young black millionaires.

Another poster mentioned that the Celtics were America's white team when today's players were kids, and that reputation may still hang on them. They are of course to young to remember this, but these kinds of events stain a city's reputation for generations:

i can agree with the idea that boston is perceived as too white.  i think the "stuff with bad racial implications has happened here" thing is a bit too much, though.  i mean, there are other cities in areas with much more severe historical racial tension and violence that have no such stigma (athletes are perfectly happy to play in chicago, atlanta, los angeles).

This race discussion is moot in my opinion.

Black football players have zero problems playing for the patriots. They win! And when they cant get as much money, they leave, just like every other race of athlete.

Minorities have no issues playing for the Red Sox. The Red Sox offer the most money and they offer a winning situation.

The Celtics in the 80's were primarily white so they were viewed as the White team.

The Lakers were primarily black. It added an interesting dynamic to the rivalry, but in the last 20 years, what athlete has come to this city and publicly complained of racial issues?

It comes down to money and winning.

Also, whoever thinks of Boston as a "white" city has never been to Boston. The Celtics were a white team in the 80's...20 years ago.

I don't know how to define "white city", but I've spent a lot of time in Boston, NYC, and New Jersey, and a couple weekends in LA, and Boston definitely felt the least diverse from that list.  I'd assume Miami would be even more diverse with their high spanish population, and from my understanding Chicago has the highest ratio of minorities of them all.  I dont think it's really a race thing though.  When it comes down to it, young people may see Boston as a nice place to go to school or focus on academics, but when it comes down to where you want to be to have a good time, it doesnt even rank.  Then NY, LA, Miami, etc. take over.