The Boston Celtics are one of the most storied franchises in all of sports. But does it really matter in their quest to sign prized free agent Kevin Durant?
Celtics legend Bob Cousy isn’t so sure.
“All things being equal, I guess at some point tradition plays a role,” Cousy recently told The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach in a phone interview. “But cold weather could also play a role. A lot of guys don’t like those Boston winters, I’ll tell you.
“So I’m just not sure in the grand scheme of things, if all things are equal, whether Durant is going to care whether these old farts out here named Cousy and (Bill) Russell and (Tom) Heinsohn and whoever did all these wonderful things 50 years ago.”
Listen, it’s nice the Celtics are rich with tradition. Boston has won 17 NBA titles, which is more than the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat — the five teams reportedly scheduled to meet with Durant in addition to the Celtics — have won combined. The C’s might as well try to use that track record to their advantage.
But Cousy has a point. While all signs point toward Durant being a fan of the NBA’s history and all that good stuff, there still are several other factors that could override Boston’s legacy, especially with the seven-time All-Star’s current team, the Thunder, being viewed as the front-runner to retain his services.
The Celtics might be better served pitching the opportunity to play under head coach Brad Stevens on an up-and-coming team with assets to add more pieces through free agency and/or trades rather than pointing to the banners at TD Garden and hoping for the best.
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