Boston Celtics: The legend of Kevin Garnett
By Sam Minton
Kevin Garnett brought a banner to TD Garden. On his 42nd birthday let’s reflect on KG’s career with the Boston Celtics.
The Boston Celtics were floating in mediocrity until GM Danny Ainge made the move that would change the course of the team’s history. Ainge traded for Kevin Garnett and KG found a new home in Boston.
Hand up, during the years of Antoine Walker and Wally Szczerbiak, your boy wasn’t the biggest C’s fan. I would tune in occasionally, but when they got KG every game became must watch.
Kevin Garnett was built to play basketball in Boston. He leaves everything out on the court, he is intense and a great basketball player.
More from Boston Celtics
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Blake Griffin Angling Hard to Re-Sign With Celtics
- Game-by-Game Predictions for the Celtics’ 2023-24 In-Season Tournament Schedule
- Kristaps Porzingis’ Foot Injury is a Problem Despite Celtics’ Optimism
- Marcus Smart, Grant Williams and Ime Udoka all Returning to Boston on 2023-24 Schedule
In his best season with the Celtics (2007-2008) Garnett averaged 18.8 points and 9.2 rebounds a game. KG was a great mid-range shooter and was great in the post. In that same year KG, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen (you can throw Rajon Rondo in there too) defeated the LA Lakers to bring a banner back to Boston. KG’s postgame reaction will be remembered forever.
8 years ago today:
— History of Sports (@BeforeFamePics) June 17, 2016
2008 ~ The Boston #Celtics are crowned NBA Champions
Kevin Garnett: "Anything is possible" pic.twitter.com/GhsjelYnrG
Beyond the stats
What made Kevin Garnett such a great player was what he did off the court. Rondo, and Glen Davis have spoken about how great of a leader KG was. He whipped everyone into shape, and kept everyone’s egos in check.
Also Garnett lived to get in the opposition’s head. It seemed that KG knew no limits. Brad Marchand could probably be described as the KG of hockey, but thankfully for Celtics fans KG never got suspended for his antics.
Garnett is still helping out the team. The Brooklyn trade featuring Garnett and Pierce gave the Celtics draft picks that would turn into Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Next: Boston Celtics: The 50 Greatest Players of All Time
Kevin Garnett is an amazing player, the last of his kind. KG was one of the last players to make the jump from high school straight to the NBA. He is a sure-fire Hall of Famer and most likely will have his number retired in Boston. Happy Birthday Big Ticket! May we never forget that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.