Feb 19, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett before the first half against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 97-90. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Loyalty in The Association is very hard to come by.

The Celtics need to be thankful for what they have. Apparently, they are because they didn’t pull the trigger on a Kevin Garnett deal that would’ve sent him to the Clippers for Eric Bledsoe, Deandre Jordan, and possible other pieces. Garnett was being courted by Chris Paul before the trade deadline according to Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald.

Garnett has a no trade clause, if you didn’t know. He could’ve waived that at any time during this trade deadline. He was steadfast in his position in Boston and said that he wasn’t waiving it unless Paul Pierce was dealt first–in respect of a Celtics organization ready to move on. Well, we’ll never what a team with Eric Bledsoe in green would’ve looked like. But for Garnett’s loyalty in this situation, it definitely wasn’t worth it.

Take a look at what Murphy said:

According to several accounts, though, talk between Ainge and the Clippers continued right up until the final hours yesterday. Garnett said during All-Star weekend that he would not waive his no-trade clause, and held true to his vow despite added pressure from Clippers guard Chris Paul.

According to a league source, Paul called Garnett and said that if he was open to joining the Clippers, then Paul would make it happen. Garnett, though, declined, expressing a desire to remain a Celtic.

Ainge’s wish list had been topped by the Clippers’ young duo of guard Eric Bledsoe and center DeAndre Jordan. The Clips, with an eye on trading part of the future for a deep playoff run now, focused their attention on Garnett.

But Garnett reportedly said no, to the relief of an entire Celtics locker room.

This isn’t the first time that Garnett has stayed loyal to an organization. Just ask the Minnesota Timberwolves what its like to have such a luxury on your team. They kept  Garnett through his prime and only just missed winning an NBA title. Through all of the trials and hardships that Garnett went through with the Timberwolves, he still wanted to be a wolf.

The Celtics are on a different level for Garnett, though. He wants to finish his career as a Celtic and retire as one. The politics and business of the NBA don’t interest him. He’s doesn’t want to just play for a title contender and win a title. He wants to win one as a Boston Celtic. Most players who hear their name in trade talks get uneasy and are willing to leave. Not Garnett. He’s kept his stance and stayed firm with his position.

He bleeds green and that’s all you can ask for out of him. However you feel about the Big Three era in Boston, you can’t help but respect this. This is the opposite of Ray Allen. This is the opposite of most players in the NBA. This is loyalty we’re looking at here. When Chris Paul calls you and asks if you want to play for his team, normal players don’t say no to that. Garnett said no. Garnett said that he wanted to be a Celtic. I don’t care how you put it, that’s something special.

December 27, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers power forward Lamar Odom (7) guards Boston Celtics power forward Kevin Garnett (5) in the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics look to make it four straight wins today as they face the Los Angeles Clippers. Five weeks ago, the Clippers led by as many as 32 points and crushed the Celtics in L.A. In this meeting, both teams will look different. Rajon Rondo and Jared Sullinger are out for the season for Boston while for Los Angeles, Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups are inactive with injuries.

Once again, Boston will have to rely on an uptempo offense to supply most of their points. The Celtics have been successful in running the ball and in turn, their defense has gotten better. With the guards for L.A out for today’s game, Avery Bradley and Courtney Lee must take advantage on both ends of the court. If they pressure the guards like they did against the Orlando Magic, it’s going to be a long day for the Clippers.

The Celtics also have to box out and keep Blake Griffin out of the paint. The Clippers may not have the backcourt they’d prefer for this game, but their front court is at full strength while Boston’s front line is very thin. If the Celtics keep the Clippers off the boards and box out effectively, Boston should have an easier time trying to beat L.A.

Prediction

Despite being short handed, I think Boston comes away with the win. As long as the Celtics box out, pressure the guards, and run an uptempo offense, Boston has a good chance at winning the game.

Mar. 16, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash during game against the Detroit Pistons at the US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Pistons 109-101. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Sometimes things we don’t like end up benefitting us in the long run.  I certainly believe the fate of the Lakers after the nixed trade for Chris Paul ended up being such a thing.

In the trade of last summer, the Lakers were on the verge of giving up both Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom in exchange for Clippers point guard Chris Paul.  At the time, David Stern felt the trade was too lopsided and wouldn’t benefit the league-owned New Orleans Hornets.  Giving up an aged Gasol and Odom seemed like too little to land a perennial (and young) franchise point guard in Chris Paul.

Fans, too, felt the trade would give the Lakers a stacked and unstoppable team…

Fast forward a year later, and it happened anyway.

The thing is, the Lakers are the better for it.  By not giving up Gasol, they have now been able to pair a dominante 7-footer in Dwight Howard with the versatile Spanish big man.  And they’ve acquired one of the best point guards in NBA history in Steve Nash, one of the few to join the exclusive 50/40/90 club; 50% from the field, 40% from distance, and 90% from the line.  He’s also a passer on the level of the all-time greats:  Bob Cousy, John Stockton, and the short list of players that basically define the point guard position for what it is.

Nash makes the Lakers an unstoppable force this year, and I basically feel like the Eastern Conference Finals may end up being the “official game of the runner up.”

In Nash, the Lake Show got only better.  They obtained a player with roughly half the contract of Paul ($9 million vs. $17 million) and were thus able to obtain Dwight Howard within the ramifications of the league salary cap, despite the fact they are now $30 million over the cap.

It made the team better, and reasonable, and it will help them win a championship.

While I realize Paul represented a long term answer, he is on the last year of an expiring deal, and Nash is signed for two more years past this season.  He’ll remain productive for that entire span, because his game isn’t reliant purely on athleticism (not that Paul’s is either).  He has the guile and skill to remain effective until the very end, and he will be 41 at that point, one year older than the aforementioned Stockton at retirement.

A Dwight Howard – Steve Nash pick and roll will be nearly unstoppable.  Look at what Nash did for Amar’e Stoudemire.  Dwight Howard is an even better and more unstoppable player than Amar’e pre-knee injuries, back as he was in his true prime.

And as I said, Gasol remains on the roster.  It has given the Lakers a “Big Four.”  The Heat have a “Big Three.”  Do the math; the Lakers are better off.  Granted, neither team has much true depth, but after the Heat taking last year’s championship, we’re seeing that is less important than previously anticipated.

The Lakers are all set, and they have David Stern’s regime to thank.