BOSTON – The Boston Celtics played a surprise video during the first quarter against the LA Clippers on Thursday night and anticipated that Kevin Garnett’s number 5 jersey joining numbers removed from the team at the beams of TD Garden.
A video of almost two minutes of Garnett’s highlights, with the rap song ‘I Got 5 on It’ by Luniz, was played surprisingly. Towards the end, the video showed a banner with the message ‘NEXT SEASON 2020-21’ followed by the number 5 of Garnett on a banner and then a photo showing the 23 numbers removed from the Celtics on the banners hung at the top from the Garden.
Garnett was not in place during the announcement that his number will be withdrawn, but the Celtics had a statement from their former great All-Star, which is expected to be named finalist on Friday along with Tim Duncan and the late Kobe. Bryant to the star-filled class of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 2020.
“I feel honored and grateful that my number is withdrawn with the Celtics,” Garnett said in a statement that was shown on the big screen. “I will always have immense respect and appreciation for the owner, Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers, my former teammates and the Celtic Nation.”
Energy and intensity unmatched. # KG5 pic.twitter.com/jg8knc3HGq
– Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 14, 2020
Before the game, standing in the TD Garden corridor, where he trained Garnett for six seasons with the Celtics, Clippers coach Doc Rivers reflected on his former player before the early announcement of the HOF finalist.
Rivers said Garnett will become one of the most selfless superstars he has ever played.
“I have often said about him, he is the best player in history,” Rivers said. “He was a superstar, but he played his role for the team anyway, somehow. I don’t know how he did it, but he did it.”
“He changed the culture of this franchise. He really did. We needed a guy like that in the franchise and he did it and he’s still here. He hasn’t left since. That was Garnett.”
Garnett, the fifth general pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1995 and the first retired high school player since Darryl Dawkins and Bill Willoughby were selected in 1975, averaged 17.8 points, 10 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.3 steals per game in 21 seasons .
Garnett, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone are the only players with 25,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 5,000 assists in their careers, according to ESPN Stats & Information. During the 2002-03 season, Garnett led the Timberwolves in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals. He is one of the only five players to lead their respective teams in those five categories since the blocks and robberies became official in 1973-74.
The 2004 MVP won a championship in 2008 shortly after joining Rivers in Boston and was 15 times All-Star and 12 times All-Defensive.
“I think he was a great teammate,” said Rivers, who trained Garnett for six seasons from 2007 to 2013. “I don’t think he has enough game. He was a phenomenal teammate. It’s about winning. His IQ was amazing. I was off the charts. “
If you want to receive the best information in the sports world, download the App now.
espn.com/app »
On Thursday, Rivers returned to Boston with his two new superstars this season, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Rivers said the couple reminds Garnett and Ray Allen.
“Kawhi is not as close as Kevin, but there is a lot of Kevin in him as to how serious he approaches the game and sees it and prepares for the game,” Rivers said. “That’s very similar. And then PG, just watching him shoot and work reminds you of Ray in some way.”
.
– .
