Brian Babineau. Getty Images.If there was one moment in Celtics history that I would have sold my soul for this opportunity, it was what happened at Hampden in July 2016. You may remember this summer that Kevin Durant hit the market and was ready for the team in Hampton. Considering Danny Ainge has spent every moment since 2007 dreaming about what it would be like for Durant to be a Celtic, they’re certainly interested.As a result, they sent this crew to the Hamptons to hunt Angie’s Beluga
Looking back, it was an absolutely hilarious bunch of guys. I’m pretty sure Isaiah is probably in there too, but the whole basketball world is throwing the ball and the Celtics are sending… Kelly Olynyk and Jae Crowder, which is kind of interesting. No disrespect of course, but I mean come on.
Ainge may have felt at the time that he had an ace up his sleeve against Tom Brady. Who says no to Tom Brady? nobody. He should be Ainge’s ultimate finisher. As we all know, that obviously didn’t happen and we all know how the Celtics ended up being Durant’s second option or whatever nonsense and life goes on.
Even after all these years, I still wonder what happened at that meeting. What the court was like, what Durant was really thinking, how close the Celtics were, all that stuff.Turns out Brady might be what Durant brings to Warriors
Jiffy images.
Damn Tom! This is the complete opposite of why Angie put you there! The goal is to convince Durant that the Celtics are that team/team/situation. Isn’t this clear? Didn’t anyone tell Tom why he came to the Hamptons? For years, fans seemed to half-jokingly blame Kelly Olynyk for why Durant didn’t come to Boston, but really, is this our GOAT? Our Lord and Savior? Talk about kicking cock and then some. Nearly ten years have passed and now I feel distraught again.
Maybe I’m not up to date on NBA recruiting, but I always thought the goal was to convince the player to join your team. It seems like everyone talks about something before they go into a meeting, right? What a huge mistake Ainge made by not figuring this out and knowing exactly what Tom’s stance/pitches would look like, I think pushing Durant to the Warriors is completely counter to the entire goal.
So yes, this one stings a bit. Not only could KD have been a reality for the Celtics, from what we know they ended up winning the 18th flag only for GS to win a pair while the Celtics are still looking and obviously Tom ·Tom Brady, of all people, put the idea in Durant’s mind and ultimately made it happen. hateful.