As the Celtics continue to mull over the future of Kevin Garnett, one of the big questions they can’t avoid is what to do with Paul Pierce. The answer is far from certain, but the most likely scenario is that Boston would trade Pierce before the Feb. 21 deadline.
Kevin Garnett, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, is retiring. After 17 years in the league, he played his last game for the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, April 10th. Garnett will be leaving his mark on the game forever, but will his legacy be that of a dominant scorer, or that of a dominant defender?
The Celtics traded away Jared Sullinger and Kris Humphries in the span of a few days, and the moves have only made the team’s problems worse. Now, the Celtics have a gaping hole in the middle of their frontcourt.
In March 2022, Kevin Garnett, who was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020, will receive the ultimate accolade from the Boston Celtics. The Celtics announced that Garnett’s No. 5 would join the ranks of the franchise’s other icons in the rafters. However, the event will exacerbate Boston’s noise issue.
The most recent Celtic to have his number hoisted to the rafters of TD Garden was Paul Pierce. Pierce was honored in 2018 for scoring more points for the club than any other player besides John Havlicek. He certainly deserved it. However, some of the numbers on the list are questionable.
When it comes down to it, Garnett’s inclusion is one of the most contentious.
Have the Boston Celtics prioritized emotion?
The Boston Celtics have recognized 24 individuals connected to the team, including 22 players who wore uniform numbers. Kevin Garnett will change the number to 25 and retire the number 23.
Non-players are honored with two jersey numbers (No. 1 and No. 2). To commemorate club founder Walter Brown, the Celtics retired No. 1. They later hung No. 2 in the rafters in honor of Red Auerbach, who did everything for Boston but play.
It’s difficult to disagree with franchise legends like Larry Bird, Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Kevin McHale, and Sam Jones earning the team’s highest award.
Some of the other choices have resulted in a situation that no other NBA team has faced.
The Celtics have experimented with some odd numbers.
On April 26, 2013, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics reacts before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference First Round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks. | Getty Images/Jared Wickerham
The Boston Celtics have worn jersey numbers 56, 60, 63, 66, 70, 77, 86, and five in recent years. One of the reasons behind this is because there are so many numbers that are no longer in use. The list of retired phone numbers is as impressive as it is long.
- Robert Parish is a well-known figure in the (00)
- Brown, Walter (1)
- Auerbach, Red (2)
- Dennis Johnson is a well-known figure in the (3)
- Russell, Bill (6)
- White, Jo Jo (10)
- Cousy, Bob (14)
- Heinsohn, Tom (15)
- Sanders, Tom (16)
- Havlicek, John (17)
- Cowens, Dave (18)
- Nelson, Don (19)
- Sharman, Bill (21)
- Ed Macauley is an American actor (22)
- Ramsey, Frank (23)
- Sam Jones is a character in the film Sam Jones (24)
- Jones, K.C. (25)
- Maxwell, Cedric (31)
- Kevin McHale is a well-known actor (32)
- Larry Bird is a well-known figure in the (33)
- Pierce, Paul (34)
- Reggie Lewis is an American football player (35)
- Loscutoff (“Loscy”) is a fictional character created by Jim Loscutoff.
- Most Johnny (microphone)
Kevin Garnett will join Lewis and Macauley as the departed players with the shortest tenures in Boston. Lewis played six seasons before passing away in 1993 due to a heart ailment; Macauley was an All-Star during the NBA’s eight-team era. He’s perhaps most known for being traded to the Celtics in order for Russell to join the team.
Garnett had six years with the Celtics as well. In 2008, Garnett’s first year with the club, Boston won a championship and he was named Defensive Player of the Year.
However, there are significant concerns about some of the figures. There were other methods to pay tribute to Brown and Auerbach as well. Maxwell was a Finals MVP in 1981 and an excellent backup player. K.C. Jones and Sanders were great defenders for successful teams, but Boston’s dynasty period (1957–69) had 10 players with retired numbers.
Kevin Garnett is one of the Timberwolves’ all-time greats.
Is the Boston Celtics the first team that springs to mind when one thinks about Kevin Garnett? That is a point of contention. Garnett was a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves for 14 years. With 10 All-Star choices, eight All-NBA picks, and eight All-Defensive selections, he was named NBA MVP. Garnett is the career leader in almost every significant category in Minnesota.
Garnett’s number has yet to be retired by the Timberwolves. A long-running dispute between KG and team governor Glen Taylor has caused the franchise’s best player to distance himself from the organization. Maybe that will change by the end of 2023, when Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez complete their acquisition of a majority stake in the club. Garnett was one of the unsuccessful bidders in the auction, so it’s unlikely.
However, Garnett struggled with injuries after his first season in Boston, and his efficiency dwindled. Garnett spent his age 31–36 seasons with the Celtics, so it’s reasonable. Given how long he carried the Timberwolves on his back, it’s amazing he didn’t have any additional back issues.
Number retirement is a personal choice. There are no universal criteria; each club chooses who is recognized on its own. It sometimes seems like things have lately gotten out of control. However, a study into the Boston Celtics reveals that the pattern is far older.
Basketball Reference provided the statistics.
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For years, Boston Celtics fans have been treated to the news that the team was in the market for a big man. On Sunday, the Celtics made it official: Kevin Garnett will re-join the Celtics on a deal that reportedly will pay the veteran forward $21.1 million over the next three years.. Read more about kevin garnett number 5 and let us know what you think.
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