They should have done it a long time ago, but the Boston Celtics will finally add another number to their banner wall by retiring Kevin Garnett‘s No. 5 jersey. The franchise now has only five single-digit numbers available for use, two of which are currently being worn by Jayson Tatum (0) and Jaylen Brown (7). The others being 4, 8, and 9. Celtics management announced that Garnett’s jersey retirement would take place in December when Boston hosts the Dallas Mavericks on December 13th.
Garnett, of course, was grateful for the moment and spoke about the opportunity to join the rafters, which features some of basketball’s greatest players, including Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale.
“I’m honored and thankful to have my number retired with the Celtics, I will always have immense respect and appreciation for ownership, Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers, my past teammates and Celtic Nation!”
But in all honesty, what took so long? Given who Kevin Garnett is, what took Boston so long to do this. But the better question is how come the Minnesota Timberwolves, who Boston acquired Garnett from, have not thought about doing this already given what he gave to that city and what they have now become, which is, unfortunately, one of the least successful teams not just in the NBA, but in sports as well?
Nevertheless, Boston has done the right thing. Garnett came to Boston after spending the first 12 seasons of his career in Minnesota. Upon arriving with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, the expectations were championships, and the dream was somewhat fulfilled as the Celtics only made two trips to the Finals in Garnett’s tenure in Boston, winning a title in 2008 in six games and watching the Lakers finish their quest for the top spot in 2010 after a seven-game series.
The Boston Celtics waited too long to retire Kevin Garnett’s jersey, but now they do the right thing.
In six seasons with the Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett shot 52 percent from the floor on a 31 minutes per-game average. Additionally, he received several accolades for his contributions throughout his entire tenure. Aside from his 2008 championship in Boston, Garnett is a 15-time All-Star and was the MVP of all the All-Star Game in 2003.
Though he had a successful run with the Timberwolves and a not-so-fortunate stay in Brooklyn, Garnett is still one of the game’s greatest, and his run in Boston serves just that. Granted, he did help the Celtics in a way when going to Brooklyn due to the draft capital that was given up that helped Boston land players like Tatum and Brown, although looking at Brooklyn now, they have the upper hand, not at one point.
Nevertheless, the decision has finally been made, and Kevin Garnett’s jersey number will be raised and join a long list of stars who wore green and wore it proudly. Sure, more championships would have been nice, especially 2010’s loss, but 2008 will always be loved in Boston, and Garnett had a lot to do with how it all came together and was made possible.