It was the most anticipated moment of the NBA night. The Celtics, the team in which Kevin Garnett won the championship ring in 2008, retired his shirt with his number ‘5’ in an emotional ceremony in which no one was missing, not even a Ray Allen already reconciled with the cast of those years in Boston.
“It’s good to see Ray Allen here. He’s good to see you, man. You’re next,” KG expressed before merging into a hug with Allen, which was also joined by Paul Pierce. Obviously the public reciprocated with hugs. The disagreement between them was officially forgotten on the best possible night, in which the work of The Big Ticket was recognized at the top of the TD Garden.
After watching a video featuring Doc River, Isiah Thomas and others, Garnett went center court to talk with Brian Scalabrine, a former Celtics teammate who now works at NBC Sports Boston. With him he recalled past history and how the great players who had passed through the franchise promoted them. Finally, with the help of his daughters, Garnett lifted his shirt to the top of the Garden while he wiped away tears.
“You know, I was listening to the videos and everything that has been said, and the message is that I came here to improve the players. Actually, those players made me better, and I like it, as I think we all made each other better.” KG’s word.
Going back to his reconciliation with Allen, the former escort of the greens admitted that at times he thought that this would not be possible. The gala of the 75th anniversary of the NBA, in which the three agreed (Garnett, Allen and Pierce), paved the way.
“I definitely don’t like being outside. There are so many people here that I love, that I spent so much time with… Those people are etched in my mind when I look back on my time here in Boston, and not being able to keep in touch with them was hard on me. I think everything ended up centering on Kevin and me because I had the feeling that people felt like Kevin. Once he accepted me, people accepted. I’m glad now everyone can see: ‘We won with this guy in 2008 and that’s the most important thing,’” he explains.
Making history
The arrival of Kevin Garnett marked a before and after in the Massachusetts organization. Arrived in 2007, KG was key for the greens to win the 2008 championship after more than 20 years of waiting. They were also in the 2010 Finals, but in these they fell against the Lakers, just the rival they defeated in 2008.
Already on the individual level, Garnett spent six seasons with the Celtics to be an All-Star on up to five occasions. He was chosen for the best quintet of 2008, the year in which he also took home the Defensive Player of the Year award. Just in this facet he excelled enormously to appear four times in the best defensive teams.
To be immortal
Kevin Garnett couldn’t stop the memories from coming back to him last night; so much so that he went back to his earliest days as a member of the Celtics, in which he enlisted the help of Antoine Walker before simply feeling that he was in a unique place.
«Antoine Walker, before arriving, took me aside for a moment and said a few words to me that I took with me to the press conference for my presentation. The first thing I did after the conference was come to the pavilion and look at the rafters. My manifestation is no longer just a championship, but to be immortal on the roof. You know what I am saying? It can already be said that I achieved that », he expresses.
Pierce’s Words
When Garnett arrived at the Celtics they already had an idol in their ranks: Paul Pierce. The forward, who had been in the franchise for nine years, had fought to take the greens to the top, but until he met with KG he was unable to do so. Of course, last night he had nothing but words of thanks.
“We appreciate you. You brought a desperately needed sense of culture to this city. You brought back Celtic pride. So I want to thank you as a teammate, as a friend, as a brother, and speaking for everyone in this city, the fans and every player that had the opportunity to play with you. We love you. Thanks”.
(Photograph by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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