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

[nickagneta]

am I the only one who thinks the whole deciding where you play because of "weather" is one of the most rediculous things ive ever heard?? if you are a player who wants a championship and wants to win you should play for whoever gives you the best shot to win.

its like this crop of new superstars generally really dont care that much about winning and would rather hang out with their buddies in warm weather and going clubbing than win a championship....theres no other reason to explain why CP3 had golden state as a higher option than Boston

As much as you think the "weather" argument ridiculous, many think the going to the best place to win argument is just as ridiculous.

Want if CP3 wanted to go to the best place to win a title, he would head to South Beach for about $3 million a year next year or LA Lakers for the same money. But a chance to win can happen in a ton of different places. The addition of the NBA superstar to a team while simultaneously getting paid(which wouldn't happen if they signed for less money in the absolute best places to win) and having all the intangibles such as great weather, excellent nightlife, lower taxes, access to gentleman's clubs in the city, access to the A list celebrities in music and film, etc.

Winning is a secondary thing because the NBA superstar KNOWS that by simply by adding them to a team, that team has a chance to win it all. Knowing that, everything else in their life other than what happens on the court for 10 hours a week becomes very important to them.

[cman88]

Winning is a secondary thing because the NBA superstar KNOWS that by simply by adding them to a team, that team has a chance to win it all. Knowing that, everything else in their life other than what happens on the court for 10 hours a week becomes very important to them.

not necessarily though, how many great players in the NBA have never won a title?? Ewing, Barkley...took Dirk and Kidd all those years, KG, pierce, allen..

theres no guarantee you ever win a title in the NBA..e

[Celtics18]

Here's a thought that I don't think has been mentioned yet; maybe it's the reputation of the fans.

Judging from what goes on on this blog, I wouldn't exactly call us overwhelmingly loyal and supportive towards the players that suit up for our team. 

We're a tough bunch to crack.  Look at Paul Pierce.  I would say that, finally, about 11 or 12 years into his career as a Celtic, he's gotten accepted as one of our town's sports heroes.  He had to win a title to do it, and go through a lot of trials on his way.

Our town's fan base may not be for everyone, but I do think it shows toughness, as well as builds toughness, to make it through and win your way into the hearts of the New England sports fan.  We don't open our hearts easily, as a rule, but once we do, we're pretty darned loyal.

For guys who think they get a beach party with guaranteed championships because some of their big name friends joined their party, Boston may not be the place to develop the kind of legacies and life styles that they are looking for. 

I think there are guys out there that fit the mold of what it takes to compete in this town.  I think our coach has that mentality and I think Danny has actually tried to find guys who not only are talented ball players, but fit this mentality as well.  He's done a pretty good job of that in my opinion.

[MF Doom]

Larry Bird was referred to as "The Great White Hope." The context behind that nickname is pretty prejudice. Do your research. Also Boston, in the 70's, went through the bus desegregation. You cant tell me Boston was not segregated just as much as a southern city back in the day. You'd get your ass kicked if you were black walking through southie or the north end. Bottom line is Boston is perceived as a "white city" from outsiders. Take it however you want but that is the truth. People need to stop ignoring history, you sound like insecure racists

[syfy9]

Besides KG and Ray, I think there's been a trend on star players on the Celtics - we draft them. Can you think of any big name free agent in the last decade that joined our squad for the heck of it?

[ACF]

I was very offended by Roy H qualifying Boston's racist history as "perceived."

Get over it.  I used the term "perceived" because the perception sometimes suggests that the entire city was racist.  I'm not going to put that stereotype on millions of people, many of whom weren't racist at all.  If you're very offended, I guess I'm sorry that I didn't stereotype and paint an entire city with a broad brush, as you would have preferred.

Boston's "perceived" history of racism is as Germany's "perceived" history of genocide.

Holocaust deniers can make the same point about painting with broad strokes and picking/choosing facts but at the end of the day it is what it is. It's intellectually and morally insulting to suggest, as you had, otherwise.

Although I'm pretty sure that racism did not kill 6 million (black) people. I'm on the "move along, nothing to see here" wagon. Racism is everywhere, even with a black President. I work in a nursery/kindergarten and you know what's great to see? Kids don't notice other kids' ethnic makeup or the color of their skin. Racism is something we learn along the way.

[dtrader]

am I the only one who thinks the whole deciding where you play because of "weather" is one of the most rediculous things ive ever heard?? if you are a player who wants a championship and wants to win you should play for whoever gives you the best shot to win.

its like this crop of new superstars generally really dont care that much about winning and would rather hang out with their buddies in warm weather and going clubbing than win a championship....theres no other reason to explain why CP3 had golden state as a higher option than Boston

One argument, could be that youre underestimating the players competitiveness.  You're assuming that a player would rather go to a more stacked team, to get a championship.  Thats essentially the lebron perspective.  Another perspective, would be for the player to go to whatever city he's most comfortable living in, and make that HIS city, and try to lead them to a title himself (hoping that the team surrounds him with talent, but dedicated to make it there himself regardless).

I know players want to play on teams with talent, but if youre talented and competitive enough yourself, you wouldnt base your decision around what other players were there before you.  In that situation, a player using weather, nightlife, etc. to make his decision would make perfect sense...because he's putting the burden of success on the court on his own shoulders.

[guava_wrench]

Winning is a secondary thing because the NBA superstar KNOWS that by simply by adding them to a team, that team has a chance to win it all. Knowing that, everything else in their life other than what happens on the court for 10 hours a week becomes very important to them.

not necessarily though, how many great players in the NBA have never won a title?? Ewing, Barkley...took Dirk and Kidd all those years, KG, pierce, allen..

theres no guarantee you ever win a title in the NBA..e

Thus he said 'chance to win'. Coming to Boston or to LA guarantees nothing. But getting Lebron and Wade together with Bosh in their primes gets you pretty good odds.

One thing that is guaranteed: the weather and the nightlife. Notice Bass talk about how nice the weather was in Orlando? Notice the reporters asking about the harsh weather? All things being equal, nicer weather is a plus.

Perhaps if we were NYC, no one would care about weather. But we aren't. We are Boston.

[guava_wrench]

Answer: They can't keep their jersey number.

[crafty213]

This year's "elite" players in question are trying to balance financial interests with winning.  Outside of this year, without knowing Ainge's play, it is hard to see how the Celtics will transition past the Big 3.  Keep in mind these guys, although elite, are not players that view themselves as good enough to carry a team....which is why they are begging to go to specific teams.  In the long term I am not sure Ainge really wants those types of guys anyways.

[Celtics4ever]

One argument, could be that youre underestimating the players competitiveness

LeBron, Bosh and Melo definitely don't fall into the competative category.   I think people saw the Big Three in action in 08 and saw the potential so they emulate it.

Racism is everywhere.   Let's be honest about it and it's both sides of the aisles.   Younger people are less and it's a good thing.  But Boston had a couple of milestone against racism that are pretty big in the NBA.  Didn't we have one of the first Afro-American players in Chuck?   Didn't we have the first Afro-American Coach in Russell?   The Celtics did a lot to break down the barriers.   Anyone who doesn't know this is an ignorant fool that I don't want playing here.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/celtics/2008-06-18-Rivers_N.htm

[DaBostonCloverGz]

The reason why Elite Players do not want to play for the Celtics is becuase they will be exposed for not having heart and a love for the game. Something the Big 4 all have.

[hardlyyardley]

Basically....where's the future when the base of the team is in their mid 30s....that's part of the reason plus the weather

[Roy H.]

It's time to tone down the rhetoric on here.  Most people participating in this thread are engaged in a civil and interesting conversation.  However, some of the accusations and innuendos are coming perilously close to the line of personal attacks.  In addition, we've seen rules broken regarding profanity / masked profanity as well as regarding objectification of people.  If you can't debate about the perception of Boston or Boston's history without getting heated, please move on.

[Moreover]

am I the only one who thinks the whole deciding where you play because of "weather" is one of the most rediculous things ive ever heard?? if you are a player who wants a championship and wants to win you should play for whoever gives you the best shot to win.

its like this crop of new superstars generally really dont care that much about winning and would rather hang out with their buddies in warm weather and going clubbing than win a championship....theres no other reason to explain why CP3 had golden state as a higher option than Boston

As much as you think the "weather" argument ridiculous, many think the going to the best place to win argument is just as ridiculous.

Want if CP3 wanted to go to the best place to win a title, he would head to South Beach for about $3 million a year next year or LA Lakers for the same money. But a chance to win can happen in a ton of different places. The addition of the NBA superstar to a team while simultaneously getting paid(which wouldn't happen if they signed for less money in the absolute best places to win) and having all the intangibles such as great weather, excellent nightlife, lower taxes, access to gentleman's clubs in the city, access to the A list celebrities in music and film, etc.

Winning is a secondary thing because the NBA superstar KNOWS that by simply by adding them to a team, that team has a chance to win it all. Knowing that, everything else in their life other than what happens on the court for 10 hours a week becomes very important to them.

Complete nonsense.

If the money is equal or very similar, they want to maximize their chances of winning. Why was Garnett reluctant to sign an extension to be traded to Boston till Ainge got Ray Allen? Was it because someone convinced him the weather wasn't that bad? Because someone spoked him highly of the ballet corps? Nope, it was because with Allen's addition, he suddenly saw a team good enough to seriously contend for the title.

Who the heck are those elite players who decide where they go because of the weather, nightlife, racism and stuff like that? Are they real NBA players or just fictional creatures? Why can't they be named?