Top 5 Boston Celtics players of the 21st century

No 2: Kevin Garnett

No Boston Celtics player since Larry Bird has had a resume like Kevin Garnett.

15-time All-Star, including 14 consecutive selections from 1997-2011. 9-time All-NBA selection. 12-time All-Defensive selection. 17th all-time in points, 9th all-time in rebounds, 18th all-time in blocks. Somehow, even those stats seem to undersell a career that could very reasonably warrant a top-ten all-time spot.

Kevin Garnett had a phenomenal offensive skillset. He could score in the post or from the mid-range with efficiency. He had the quickness and handles to facilitate when needed, and his passing was surprisingly elite. He was in the 88th percentile or better in assist percentage among bigs every single season of his career, and was in the 95th percentile or better in eight different seasons.

What really made him special, of course, was his defense. Garnett was a maniac running around with a chainsaw ending all hope opposing offenses had. His quickness, length, and intensity made him one of the best defensive players this league has ever seen. He is the entire reason Boston’s defense jumped from 19th in the league in 2006-2007, to 1st in the league (by a wide margin) in 2007-2008.

Antoine Walker and Isaiah Thomas gave Boston energy. Kevin Garnett created a culture of intensity and devotion that made the Boston Celtics what they were.

His contributions make him an easy pick for the number two spot. His ability and athleticism were insane, but it’s the mental edge and, truthfully, the craziness, that Celtics fans will remember. He would have a case at the top spot, but it’s hard to deny the player selected as the greatest Boston Celtics player of the 21st century.