It’s always weird seeing Kevin Garnett in black and white, but that’s what we saw in Beantown yesterday. The Boston Celtics fell to the Brooklyn Nets, 109 – 107. KG played 17 minutes, and he netted 6 points and 4 rebounds.
Yesterday may have been the last time we will see Garnett on the basketball parkquet floor at TD Garden. All the memories, the triumphs, the intensity, we will miss everything about KG when he retires. Garnett is getting up there in years, 38, and the Brooklyn Nets team he signed with has definitely under-achieved the last few years. That all equates to a guy probably ready to retire and ride off into the sunset.
So before he left TD Garden, the press asked KG some questions about the Rondo trade, the 2008 championship, and the new-look Boston Celtics.
KG On Rajon Rondo To The Dallas Mavericks –
Dec 26, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) passes during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
KG was asked if the Rondo trade surprised him, “Little bit. Little bit. But nothing surprises me after Michael Jordan moving to different teams, Shaq moving to different teams. Players in the history going to different teams. I guess at that point, it’s just a matter of when and where.”
Garnett also talked about how he keeps in touch with the talented point guard, “It’s very weird. I just saw Ed Lacerte in the locker room and he told me it was kind of bittersweet. Obviously, I’ve been in contact with Rondo since , just for his well-being. I kind of stay in touch with all the guys. … Obviously, we all stay in touch, just caring about his well-being. I’m just glad everything worked out.”
It’s always nice to hear our guy KG is looking out for his younger brother Rondo. Garnett also believes Rondo is poised for success out west, “What do I expect from him? To be himself,” said Garnett. “Obviously, he has all the players, bit more of a firm base, little more of a championship base around him. And I see him adapting to that with no problem. I’ve watched him play, I’ve seen him getting up on like old times. He’s talking, being himself. I expect great things out of him. I wish him the best.”
KG On The 2008 Championship –
Dec 26, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Garnett (2) sweats before their 109-107 win over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
After the Nets win, Garnett spoke with the Celtics press about how no one is left on the Celtics from that inspiring 2008 championship team. Garnett said, “I’ve been getting a lot of ‘Rest in peace’ texts and stuff, so I had to change my number,” Garnett joked, “It’s all good, though. We’re infinite. Once you win once, you win forever.”
He also added he misses being in green and that he misses the city of Boston, “It’s always love here. It’s always an appreciation that I can never give back, other than the salute. Winning is infinite. And I’ll always have that special relationship with this city.”
Good to hear that Garnett misses us Celtics fans, and we miss him! Back in 2007-2008 he completely changed the program. Bringing a defensive intensity no Celtics team has seen since the old Bill Russell days. Checkout this cool mix I found of KG’s career in Boston:
KG On The New-Look Celtics Squad –
Dec 26, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) dunks on Brooklyn Nets center Mason Plumlee (1) during the second half of the Brooklyn Nets 109-107 win over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Garnett was also asked about the new Boston Celtics team and his opinion on what they look like compared to some of the teams he played with. KG said, “They seem to play hard, they seem to play together. Celtics basketball.” I expected the truth from Garnett, but he did give a politically correct answer to the question.
The truth is that the Boston Celtics this year are better overall than last year’s squad, but years away before being even mentioned in the same sentence of the old teams Garnett was on. Our team is full of young talent and if you want to compare any Celtics team to what they look like today, it would be the 2007 team that later turned into the 2008 Championship team when Garnett was brought on. Only four players on this squad even played with KG while he was in Boston. I can’t lie, I was surprised by KG’s response to his opinion on this year’s Celtics team, but at the same time, Garnett off the court is all class, and respects Boston so much.
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