I can understand why Horford left, but Boston just doesn't seem like a winning place. Honestly, neither is Houston, but I guess they at least have a good coach and are in the East. If Durant joins them, it makes a lot more sense. Funny if getting Dwight really pushed Horford over the edge.
Good thing we got rid of Dwight. Now we might be able to attract some interest once we get this winning back on track.
Boston's probably moved up to the third best chance for Durant now, behind staying at OKC and going to Golden State. Boston does have some strong appeal for him: Durant reportedly is really big on hoop lore and Larry Bird is his favorite all time player. Boston doesn't have to move personnel around to sign him. They still have space to do that outright even after getting Horford. Perkins is a close buddy of Durant and has been building up Boston to him for years, a city and franchise that was already high in his esteem. Seemingly the Celtics gave it all they had in that presentation yesterday. There were a number of extremely persuasive people in that room. They have so many valuable future assets, they can guarantee year over year roster improvement for a while. They have a very appealing playing style and coach. There's only one other team to beat in the East. He'll still probably sign a short re-up in OKC, but the Celtics are now legitimately in the running, which they really weren't before yesterday.
Al Horford met with four teams at the Four Seasons Hotel in Atlanta during free agency. The Houston Rockets went first, followed by the Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics. Horford had met with the Atlanta Hawks prior to that. James Harden was in on the meeting with Horford for the Rockets. “I thought we had a chance,” Harden said on Monday. “I thought we had a really good chance, but obviously it didn’t work out, which is fine.” Horford said he seriously considered signing with the Rockets. “I really considered coming here as well,” he said of Houston. “Them and Boston and Washington, but especially here and Boston, were probably the two teams I was really, really looking at. So, just a lot to consider. A really good team, but at the end of the day I just felt like I was better off being in Boston.” Horford prioritized signing with a team capable of winning immediately and eventually winning big. “He’s just a great player,” Horford said of Harden. “They have a great organization here and I was very impressed with them…I just think overall I had a better fit here with the Celtics, with our depth here and coach and just everything. There’s just a lot of things that went into my decision.” http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/244193/Rockets-Were-Al-Horfords-Second-Choice-In-Free-Agency
Not sure why we were his #2 choice. I thought part of the reason for him wanting to leave Atlanta was the lack of fans showing up at games. It ain't that much better in Houston....lol
Really solid player and solid game against rockets tonight (despite missing game winner). But generally pretty happy he didn't come to Houston. He's like the Mike Conley of PFs. Super solid but you're going to pay him how much?? At his age, health problems, as a big in a guard league (especially down the stretch). Horford makes $26.5 million this year. Let that sink in. He's owed $30+ million in 3.5 years. Works for Boston because they locked up their players to fair long deals that became cheap when all those guys got better... so they could afford Horford plus more plus they still have nets picks. If the Rockets landed him he'd have to be their 2nd star. Which is something he's not
"The Mike Conley of of PFs". That is a good way to describe him. To win a championship, Celts still need a legit superstar.