Paul Pierce: Boston Celtics ‘without a doubt’ will retire Kevin Garnett’s No. 5
After having his own number retired this past Sunday, Boston Celtics great Paul Pierce believes former teammate Kevin Garnett will have his number retired as well.
Anyone outside of the New England area will remember Kevin Garnett for his days with the Minnesota Timberwolves. But, if you are a fan of the Boston Celtics, the most memorable moment is KG yelling the words “anything is possible” following the team’s 17th NBA championship in 2008.
Any because anything is possible, Celtics legend Paul Pierce believes Garnett’s No. 5 will be the next number raised to the TD Garden rafters.
While there could be some debate on whether or not Garnett did enough in Boston to have his number retired, the 10-time All-Star told ESPN that he believes it’s a lock.
"“Without a doubt, KG’s number will be [the next one] retired in Boston,” Pierce said. “It’s going to happen.”"
Now there is no doubt that Kevin Garnett’s great accomplishment came in Boston, but he established his stardom in Minnesota. That is one argument against KG having his number retired. However, he did come to the Celtics during a time when the franchise was at its lowest.
In joining Pierce and Ray Allen, Garnett helped transcend the Celtics into an instant championship contender. For that reason, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge says he has done enough to go down in team history as one of the greatest.
"“It was six years of potential championship-caliber teams and All-Star plays from KG,” Ainge said, via ESPN. “I think that it was a pretty significant impact he had in those six years.”"
Making a case for Kevin Garnett
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Not only did Garnett help lead the team to 66 wins in his first season with the Celtics, he gave them an identity during his six-year tenure in Boston. His hustle, intensity and leadership propelled the team back into a relevance that extends to the 2018 version of the Boston Celtics.
Again, his best years statistically came with the Timberwolves, but there is no doubt his most productive years came as a member of the Celtics. When you get three stars together on one team like Ainge did with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, egos have to be put in check. Each player has to sacrifice their own stats for the sake of the team.
Garnett, in my opinion, was the ambassador of team unity during that time. Like he said himself, he “bleeds green,” which is another reason Pierce believes No. 5 will one day hang beside his No. 34.
"“[Garnett would] rather have his jersey retired in Boston than in Minnesota,” Pierce revealed. “He’ll eventually have his number retired with the Timberwolves, too, but he’ll have to wait until management sells the team.”"
Next: Boston Celtics: Kevin Garnett’s top 5 moments in green
Whether that statement is true or not, we’ll have to wait to hear it come out of the mouth of Garnett.