As one of those fans advocating The Trade and a fresh start, I know firsthand how easy it is to forget exactly what roller coaster you have gone through with the players that were traded.
Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce...they are both worthy of a post like this, as they will ultimately go down as two of the best to ever wear a Celtics jersey. But for the sake of this post, this is a tribute to Kevin Garnett.
I wasn't a Boston Celtics fan until Kevin Garnett was traded here (From what I've read, many of you can say the same). After becoming hooked on the Celtics during game one of their championship run in 2008, and watching every game until they won it all, I supplemented an NBA League Pass by eagerly digging into the history of the Celtics to learn as much as possible about the context of this trade and the past Celtics greats.
Simply put, this man played a key role in turning this franchise around. Judging solely on all-star votes, the man was one of the most exciting players to play in the league as well. He helped revitalize our franchise in ways that many had wished for for a good twenty years. He immediately embraced what it meant to be a Boston Celtic and helped foster a new Celtic tradition that is embodied already in players such as Rajon Rondo, Jared Sullinger, Jeff Green and Avery Bradley. These players play to win. Rondo even goes as far as becoming sulky after games the Celtics lose, just as Garnett did.
KG has been through everything with us the past 6 or so years. He provided a jumpstart to a franchise that had just missed out on the Oden/Durant sweepstakes and was facing a future of what many here had termed "bleak" and "full of disappointment". He even helped bring in a whole new wave of Celtics fans.
After searching for his highlights on YouTube, I happened upon this video. I was surprised how many emotions it brought out in me. He played every game as if it was his last.
So here's to you Kevin Garnett. Though we may not write it or verbalize it all the time, even fans such as me advocating "blowing it up" realize the impact you had on us. We can only hope that the new generation of Celtics play with even half of the same intensity you played with every game.
Farewell and good luck to you in Brooklyn. I'm sure I speak for all fans here in that you will be welcomed back with open arms no matter what capacity you'd like to return to the team in.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIX6AY-UZ2w
Topic: Taking a Trip Down Memory Lane with Kevin Garnett (Read 2707 times)