The last time I remember CelticsBlog this excited about a free agent signing ...

[Boris Badenov]

You know what makes me excited? This year we landed one of the three best PG free agents. We landed one of the top 5 SGs.

We also re-signed arguably the best free agent C, one of the top 3 free agent PFs, and one of the top 3 free agent SFs.

With the Lee and Terry signings in particular, this puts the "FAs don't like Boston" talk to bed (at least when you're talking about free agents who are not whiny six-year olds).

I think that our playoff run last year really cemented the quality of this franchise in players' minds. We have an identity. There is a "Celtics way" as much as there's a Patriots way, and it runs from the GM to the coach down to the last players on the bench. And everyone around the league sees it.

THAT is what makes me excited.

[rickyfan3.0...]

... was when we signed Troy Murphy.

................says the man who posted this at 4am

[Jeff]

yes, he's not Blake Griffin but he's pretty much exactly what we needed so I'll take that and be happy

as you said, it is the die hards that are living and dying by this stuff at this point in the summer - the casual fans checked out about the time that Ray Allen did - which is fine - it is what it is

I think some of the hoopla over Murphy was the post-deadline scramble to get some help via guys that were cut - we were hoping for a younger PJ Brown with more range and instead we got, ...well, not that.

This could blow up too, but that's the chance you take on any free agent.  Good signing.

[rickyfan3.0...]

Amen, Jeff...

I think is as good a signing as any as far as it contributes to winning. This kid will be GOOD here. Perfect fit.

Seems like Ainge is trying to build on the fly. Anytime you can get a piece, I am for it.

[Roy H.]

... was when we signed Troy Murphy.

................says the man who posted this at 4am

Closer to 1am.

I think people are missing my point.  I'm excited about this signing as much as anybody else is.  However, I think we get wrapped up in this "will he or won't he sign here" thing that probably realistically isn't justified.  That's what makes us diehards, I guess.

Troy Murphy wasn't worth the hype, of course.  He turned out to be a total bust.  I don't think Courtney Lee will ever be at that level, but it's doubtful he ever lives up to a lot of the comments and excitement over the last week or so.

It's just reflection on being a fan, and the ebbs and flows of following the team so closely. 

By the way, for those who don't remember the fan base being excited about Murphy, see here:

www.celticsblog.com/2011/3/1/2022743/dropkick-murphy-shipping-up-to-boston

536 comments is *a lot* for our blog, especially for that time frame.  It's about 250 more comments than any other story in that time period (i.e., post trade deadline), and there were other Murphy updates that garnered a ton of comments, as well.  People were *psyched* about him coming here.

[Boris Badenov]

Too bad we didn't hang on to Troy. Having a frontcourt of "Murph and Sully" would be SWEET.

[Jeff]

Too bad we didn't hang on to Troy. Having a frontcourt of "Murph and Sully" would be SWEET.

lol

[jdub1660]

I understand some pessimistics getting their panties in a bunch by the seemingly overreactions, but be a realist here.

Jason Terry is an upgrade over Dooling.
Courtney Lee is an upgrade over Ray defensively, and upgrade over Moore,Sasha,Marquis and Dooling offensively.

Add another big man after amnesty waivers or before the deadline and the team is set. I still say we try and get Pietrus back, add Kris Joseph, put Blatche through some drills and interrogations by KG,Rondo and Ainge, and leave last spot open for February droppings.

[Roy H.]

I understand some pessimistics getting their panties in a bunch by the seemingly overreactions, but be a realist here.

While I'm not sure that "pessimistic" is a noun, I do know that people matching that description don't usually say " I'm thrilled that we signed Courtney Lee, and am as excited as anybody else".

Too much thinking about panties, and not enough time reading what people wrote maybe?

[Snakehead]

LOL really funny comparison.

But I think it was a perfect storm of Ray leaving, a long wait where we thought we were going to miss out on Lee or another higher tier wing, other teams adding their pieces, and the news about Avery being out so long.

Jet is a bigger signing but yes for some reason Lee gets more buzz and I think this is why.

He will be a very nice piece though.

[Boris Badenov]

Our 37-year old girlfriend of five years just left us, and after a few weeks wondering whether we could replace her, we just started dating a 26-year old who is almost as hot, and who most people thought was out of our league.

[Brendan]

Our millionaire 37-year old cougar girlfriend of five years just left us, and after a few weeks wondering whether we could replace her, we just started dating a 26-year old who is almost as hotter, and who most people thought was out of our leaguewouldn't date us because she wanted a sugar daddy and not a serious partner.

Never trade down on looks.

[CelticG1]

Yeah im pumped about the signing but more pumped that he was the guy we wanted (from all accounts) and it seemed like it was going to be impossible to pull off.

That along with the fact that we aren't signing some old questionable vet.

[fairweatherfan]

Of course I'm excited - we've got Jet/Lee coming off the bench! It's like the Ultimate Draft come to life! 

[Jeff]

maybe I'm just oversimplifying, but...

Lee/Jet > Ray/Dooling ...right?