Why do Free Agents hate Boston?

[tyrone biggums]

When was the last time the Celtics had more than the MLE to spend on a "great FA (IN THEIR PRIME!)"?

How long has the cap system been in place again? 

You have to remember that when Gaston owned the team they were not allowed to spend more than an certain amount every year. They were consistently under the luxury tax. I think the most they spent in one year was 52 Million if I'm not mistaken.

[jiriwelsch]

Thats a very good point Tyrone.  Tommy Point for you!

When was the last time the Celtics had more than the MLE to spend on a "great FA (IN THEIR PRIME!)"?

How long has the cap system been in place again? 

You have to remember that when Gaston owned the team they were not allowed to spend more than an certain amount every year. They were consistently under the luxury tax. I think the most they spent in one year was 52 Million if I'm not mistaken.

[RJ87]

Honestly, it's in part the fans. Hear me out.

Some fans spend so much time pining over guys who blatantly don't want to play here (CP3, D12) and never seriously embrace players who express their interest in Boston. Examples: OJ Mayo has said in the past he'd like to play with Rondo and Josh Smith reportedly listed Boston as one of the teams he'd like to be traded to during that talk last season, and what do fans do? Call them both headcases and turn up their noses. Okay, maybe they might be headcases, but they want to be our headcases. Unfortunately, wanting to play in Boston just doesn't seem to be appreciated.

[GreenFaith1819]

Honestly, it's in part the fans. Hear me out.

Some fans spend so much time pining over guys who blatantly don't want to play here (CP3, D12) and never seriously embrace players who express their interest in Boston. Examples: OJ Mayo has said in the past he'd like to play with Rondo and Josh Smith reportedly listed Boston as one of the teams he'd like to be traded to during that talk last season, and what do fans do? Call them both headcases and turn up their noses. Okay, maybe the might be headcases, but they want to be our headcases. Unfortunately, wanting to play in Boston just doesn't seem to be appreciated.

Good Point.

Put me down as one who'd love either player here (Mayo or Josh Smith).

Both aren't perfect players, but under Doc and this system they'd both improve, I bet.

[LooseCannon]

How many big free agents have there been who grew up or went to college in or near Boston?  How many have ties to California or New York City or Florida?  Are the answers to these questions a pair of numbers that are nowhere near each other?

[tyrone biggums]

Honestly, it's in part the fans. Hear me out.

Some fans spend so much time pining over guys who blatantly don't want to play here (CP3, D12) and never seriously embrace players who express their interest in Boston. Examples: OJ Mayo has said in the past he'd like to play with Rondo and Josh Smith reportedly listed Boston as one of the teams he'd like to be traded to during that talk last season, and what do fans do? Call them both headcases and turn up their noses. Okay, maybe the might be headcases, but they want to be our headcases. Unfortunately, wanting to play in Boston just doesn't seem to be appreciated.

Good Point.

Put me down as one who'd love either player here (Mayo or Josh Smith).

Both aren't perfect players, but under Doc and this system they'd both improve, I bet.

I'd agree, I mean for all of Josh Smith's faults isn't he more of a finished product than someone like Big Al? But yet 75% of the board would love Al Jefferson back.

[tyrone biggums]

How many big free agents have there been who grew up or went to college in or near Boston?  How many have ties to California or New York City or Florida?  Are the answers to these questions a pair of numbers that are nowhere near each other?

This point is pretty far out there, I mean how many people in the NBA have gone to school in Dallas, North Carolina (not just Charlotte), and San Antonio? Bottom line is that if you build a winner or have some type of tradition the talent will come one way or the other. The Celtics tried being a small/mid market team for years under Gaston which is why no one came here.

[GreenFaith1819]

Plus, on the Josh Smith front:

This guy almost single-handedly KILLED us in 07-08. Atlanta took us to 7 games in the playoffs that year. They won close games in ATL, but could not get over the stage fright in BOS.

Josh Smith gave KG fits in every game in ATL back then, and this was a YOUNG KG, too.

[bfrombleacher]

Honestly, it's in part the fans. Hear me out.

Some fans spend so much time pining over guys who blatantly don't want to play here (CP3, D12) and never seriously embrace players who express their interest in Boston. Examples: OJ Mayo has said in the past he'd like to play with Rondo and Josh Smith reportedly listed Boston as one of the teams he'd like to be traded to during that talk last season, and what do fans do? Call them both headcases and turn up their noses. Okay, maybe they might be headcases, but they want to be our headcases. Unfortunately, wanting to play in Boston just doesn't seem to be appreciated.

TP man. Call me a Rondo homer but it was a bit disgusting how we were hellbent on getting Chris Paul when Rondo broke his arm for us and openly wanted to stay for the Celtic. This was in spite of the fact that Paul was being a prima donna and very clear about not wanting to play for us.

[tyrone biggums]

Honestly, it's in part the fans. Hear me out.

Some fans spend so much time pining over guys who blatantly don't want to play here (CP3, D12) and never seriously embrace players who express their interest in Boston. Examples: OJ Mayo has said in the past he'd like to play with Rondo and Josh Smith reportedly listed Boston as one of the teams he'd like to be traded to during that talk last season, and what do fans do? Call them both headcases and turn up their noses. Okay, maybe they might be headcases, but they want to be our headcases. Unfortunately, wanting to play in Boston just doesn't seem to be appreciated.

TP man. Call me a Rondo homer but it was a bit disgusting how we were hellbent on getting Chris Paul when Rondo broke his arm for us and openly wanted to stay for the Celtic. This was in spite of the fact that Paul was being a prima donna and very clear about not wanting to play for us.

I'd disagree, if anything that's more the media than anything else. Lots of reporters in Boston have taken liberties with certain stories in the past. They're the ones who generally get the fans worked up.

[OttawaCeltic]

Honestly, it's in part the fans. Hear me out.

Some fans spend so much time pining over guys who blatantly don't want to play here (CP3, D12) and never seriously embrace players who express their interest in Boston. Examples: OJ Mayo has said in the past he'd like to play with Rondo and Josh Smith reportedly listed Boston as one of the teams he'd like to be traded to during that talk last season, and what do fans do? Call them both headcases and turn up their noses. Okay, maybe they might be headcases, but they want to be our headcases. Unfortunately, wanting to play in Boston just doesn't seem to be appreciated.

I'd disagree, if anything that's more the media than anything else. Lots of reporters in Boston have taken liberties with certain stories in the past. They're the ones who generally get the fans worked up.

TP man. Call me a Rondo homer but it was a bit disgusting how we were hellbent on getting Chris Paul when Rondo broke his arm for us and openly wanted to stay for the Celtic. This was in spite of the fact that Paul was being a prima donna and very clear about not wanting to play for us.

RJ87 is speaking the truth. Period.