BOSTON – A few curses, a primordial scream and tears marked Kevin Garnett’s tribute Sunday night as the Boston Celtics lifted the No. 5 jersey on the ceiling of the TD Garden, very close to the 2008 NBA championship banner.
In a ceremony that included in-person speeches and videos of his former teammates, Celtics legends and other NBA greats, Garnett became the 24th player in Celtics history to retire.
But none of his predecessors embodied the same combination of intensity, hard work, and humor that Garnett brought to the Celtics when he teamed up with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to form a new Big Three that ended the worst championship-free drought in history. of the franchise.
“Before he came here, we had one of our worst seasons. It was this injection directly into the heart that we needed, said Pierce, whose number 34 retired in 2018. You gave a culture to this team that we desperately needed. You brought pride back to Boston, pride to the Celtics. »
Dressed in a dark suit and black blazer, with a Ukrainian ribbon and a green Celtic scarf, Garnett appeared on the pitch with his daughters and was greeted by his former teammate and Celtics analyst Brian Scalabrin.
With the NBA trophy leaning on a table behind them, Scalabrine asked Garnett where he got the passion that led him from the fifth overall pick to the high school draft at the Basketball Hall of Fame.
“No one will tell you how to use your superpower,” Garnett replied, adding that he saw his mother working hard to raise him. It is part of my DNA. I understood. »
The celebration also marked his reunion with Ray Allen, ending a public feud between the two legends dating back to Allen’s decision to sign with the Miami Heat. The two men hugged each other before Pierce joined them.
It was then that Garnett shouted into the microphone: “Ray is next!” »
Garnett only played six seasons with the Celtics, but was notable for five of his 15 All-Star appearances and one NBA Championship in 2008, the 17th in Celtics history. He was previously named the most valuable player on his team in 2004 with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he started and ended his 21-season career.
The Celtics gave many gifts to the birthday boy, including a piece of the field and a personalized bottle of tequila. His daughters joined him in lifting his shirt to the ceiling and tears rolled down his cheeks for that precious moment.
