Kevin Garnett's #5 to be retired by the Celtics on March 13

[SHAQATTACK]

KG changed the culture of the organization back to what it used to be before the dark era following Reggie and Leo Bias' deaths and the Pitino years. He also changed the perception of the Celtics organization around the league, making Boston an attractive destination again. He still constantly praises the Celtics organization to this day. That's all in addition to his accomplishments on the court to bring us banner 18. He totally deserves it.

All This !   KG bleed green !

[Moranis]

We've debated this before, but KG does not belong in the rafters.

This is the correct answer. He really shouldn’t but based off the way the Cs operate he fits their criteria. The Cs literally retire everyone’s number. It makes the act of retiring a number meaningless. KG was awesome when he was here but not here long enough imo.

It's meaningless? Tell that to all the players up there. Tell that to their families, teammates and coaches.

What on earth do random fans know about the meaning behind a retired number over the actual players?

Yes, they make it meaningless because they literally retire every players number. Retiring a jersey should be for a literal cornerstone player (like a Russell or Bird for example).

Where's the rule that says that retired numbers is only for cornerstones?

There's no such rule, obviously. Here's my only objection though: Don't you think there should be a way to distinguish between all-time greats like KG/Pierce/Hondo and GOAT candidates like Russ and Bird? All these guys were great, but Russell had a way bigger impact compared to KG. The same goes for Bird vs Pierce/Hondo etc.

The Yankees do that. They retire a lot of numbers also, I believe they are up to 22. For their highest honor (bestowed upon Gehrig, Ruth, Mantle, and DiMaggio… along with owner Steinbrenner and coach Huggins), monuments are given in addition to the retired number and plaque. I could see Rivera being worthy of a monument.

The Yankees have been around for like 150 years and according to ESPN in 2016 all time had 3 players in the top 10, 1 more in the top 20 (2 if you count Clemens), 1 more in the top 30, and 2 more in the top 50.  So for a sport that has been around for 150 years or so, the Yankees according to ESPN have 7 of the 50 greatest players of all time (not counting Clemens), and that includes both hitters and pitchers. 

And Clemens does not have his number retired with the Yankees despite winning 2 championships (and making the WS 2 other times) over 6 seasons there.  Seems like a pretty apt comparison for KG. 

[celticsclay]

We've debated this before, but KG does not belong in the rafters.

This is the correct answer. He really shouldn’t but based off the way the Cs operate he fits their criteria. The Cs literally retire everyone’s number. It makes the act of retiring a number meaningless. KG was awesome when he was here but not here long enough imo.

It's meaningless? Tell that to all the players up there. Tell that to their families, teammates and coaches.

What on earth do random fans know about the meaning behind a retired number over the actual players?

Yes, they make it meaningless because they literally retire every players number. Retiring a jersey should be for a literal cornerstone player (like a Russell or Bird for example).

Where's the rule that says that retired numbers is only for cornerstones?

There's no such rule, obviously. Here's my only objection though: Don't you think there should be a way to distinguish between all-time greats like KG/Pierce/Hondo and GOAT candidates like Russ and Bird? All these guys were great, but Russell had a way bigger impact compared to KG. The same goes for Bird vs Pierce/Hondo etc.

The Yankees do that. They retire a lot of numbers also, I believe they are up to 22. For their highest honor (bestowed upon Gehrig, Ruth, Mantle, and DiMaggio… along with owner Steinbrenner and coach Huggins), monuments are given in addition to the retired number and plaque. I could see Rivera being worthy of a monument.

The Yankees have been around for like 150 years and according to ESPN in 2016 all time had 3 players in the top 10, 1 more in the top 20 (2 if you count Clemens), 1 more in the top 30, and 2 more in the top 50.  So for a sport that has been around for 150 years or so, the Yankees according to ESPN have 7 of the 50 greatest players of all time (not counting Clemens), and that includes both hitters and pitchers. 

And Clemens does not have his number retired with the Yankees despite winning 2 championships (and making the WS 2 other times) over 6 seasons there.  Seems like a pretty apt comparison for KG.

I think if Clemens did not have all the steroid stuff he may have had a shot there. Can’t just gloss over that. He isn’t in hall of fame.

[Roy H.]

We've debated this before, but KG does not belong in the rafters.

This is the correct answer. He really shouldn’t but based off the way the Cs operate he fits their criteria. The Cs literally retire everyone’s number. It makes the act of retiring a number meaningless. KG was awesome when he was here but not here long enough imo.

It's meaningless? Tell that to all the players up there. Tell that to their families, teammates and coaches.

What on earth do random fans know about the meaning behind a retired number over the actual players?

Yes, they make it meaningless because they literally retire every players number. Retiring a jersey should be for a literal cornerstone player (like a Russell or Bird for example).

Where's the rule that says that retired numbers is only for cornerstones?

There's no such rule, obviously. Here's my only objection though: Don't you think there should be a way to distinguish between all-time greats like KG/Pierce/Hondo and GOAT candidates like Russ and Bird? All these guys were great, but Russell had a way bigger impact compared to KG. The same goes for Bird vs Pierce/Hondo etc.

The Yankees do that. They retire a lot of numbers also, I believe they are up to 22. For their highest honor (bestowed upon Gehrig, Ruth, Mantle, and DiMaggio… along with owner Steinbrenner and coach Huggins), monuments are given in addition to the retired number and plaque. I could see Rivera being worthy of a monument.

The Yankees have been around for like 150 years and according to ESPN in 2016 all time had 3 players in the top 10, 1 more in the top 20 (2 if you count Clemens), 1 more in the top 30, and 2 more in the top 50.  So for a sport that has been around for 150 years or so, the Yankees according to ESPN have 7 of the 50 greatest players of all time (not counting Clemens), and that includes both hitters and pitchers. 

And Clemens does not have his number retired with the Yankees despite winning 2 championships (and making the WS 2 other times) over 6 seasons there.  Seems like a pretty apt comparison for KG.

I think the distinction with Clemens, beyond him being a scapegoat for the PED era, is that he was 1 of 25 guys on the roster.  You can't really argue that he was *the* key piece on any of the Yankees teams.

KG, on the other hand, was the most important player on one of the most dominant teams in franchise history.  When we acquired KG and Ray, I set my own arbitrary standard:  2 rings and at least 5 years.  However, after watching how things played out, I reached a different conclusion.  KG is one of the most important players in team history, so I'm absolutely fine with the honor.

Similarly, I'd commemorate Danny Ainge in the rafters somehow.  Whether that's by retiring #44, or giving him the "Danny" treatment like we do Loscy, I don't care.  But he's a hugely important piece of franchise history.

[bopna]

Barkley stayed with the Suns for only 4 and a half seasons and was retired by the team though he couldnt bring them a title.

No KG no title so i have no objections to his number being retired.
Its no big deal tbh...he freakin well deserve to be acknowledged by the organization in a much better way than how the Wolves organization treated him.

KG absolutely should be retired by the Cs...he is an all time great for fs sake..all all time great should have atleast one  organization honor you.

[LilRip]

I love what KG brought to the team so I was surprised when I found myself on the fence on this one. I mean, I get that KG had a huge impact and he will always have banner 17 plus his dpoy award. But even if we set aside the greats of the past (Bird, Russell, etc), even if we just compare KG to Pierce… Pierce dwarfs KG significantly, in terms of Celtics numbers (obviously not for his career)

I guess I don’t have a problem with retiring kgs number but if we didn’t, I think I would be more ok with that actually

[LilRip]

Barkley stayed with the Suns for only 4 and a half seasons and was retired by the team though he couldnt bring them a title.

No KG no title so i have no objections to his number being retired.
Its no big deal tbh...he freakin well deserve to be acknowledged by the organization in a much better way than how the Wolves organization treated him.

KG absolutely should be retired by the Cs...he is an all time great for fs sake..all all time great should have atleast one  organization honor you.

Minny should retire his jersey imo

[Moranis]

Barkley stayed with the Suns for only 4 and a half seasons and was retired by the team though he couldnt bring them a title.

No KG no title so i have no objections to his number being retired.
Its no big deal tbh...he freakin well deserve to be acknowledged by the organization in a much better way than how the Wolves organization treated him.

KG absolutely should be retired by the Cs...he is an all time great for fs sake..all all time great should have atleast one  organization honor you.

Minny should retire his jersey imo

The Wolves have basically retired no one's number to this point.  They have a banner for Flip and did put Malik Sealy's #2 up there when he tragically died in a car accident.  KG was in the car with Sealy so that had to be rough (it is why he wore #2 in Brooklyn and would have done it Boston had it not been retired in honor of Red). I'm sure is is only a matter of time before 21 is in the rafters in Minnesota though.

[Duke4]

As far as KG's legacy.....I think he belongs there....I would also agree if the Red Sox hoisted Babe Ruth's name and/or number...in fact, maybe they already have and I just wasn't aware of it....

[Roy H.]

As far as KG's legacy.....I think he belongs there....I would also agree if the Red Sox hoisted Babe Ruth's name and/or number...in fact, maybe they already have and I just wasn't aware of it....

He is in the Red Sox Hall of Fame. His number isn’t retired, but players didn’t wear numbers back then.

[Moranis]

We've debated this before, but KG does not belong in the rafters.

This is the correct answer. He really shouldn’t but based off the way the Cs operate he fits their criteria. The Cs literally retire everyone’s number. It makes the act of retiring a number meaningless. KG was awesome when he was here but not here long enough imo.

It's meaningless? Tell that to all the players up there. Tell that to their families, teammates and coaches.

What on earth do random fans know about the meaning behind a retired number over the actual players?

Yes, they make it meaningless because they literally retire every players number. Retiring a jersey should be for a literal cornerstone player (like a Russell or Bird for example).

Where's the rule that says that retired numbers is only for cornerstones?

There's no such rule, obviously. Here's my only objection though: Don't you think there should be a way to distinguish between all-time greats like KG/Pierce/Hondo and GOAT candidates like Russ and Bird? All these guys were great, but Russell had a way bigger impact compared to KG. The same goes for Bird vs Pierce/Hondo etc.

The Yankees do that. They retire a lot of numbers also, I believe they are up to 22. For their highest honor (bestowed upon Gehrig, Ruth, Mantle, and DiMaggio… along with owner Steinbrenner and coach Huggins), monuments are given in addition to the retired number and plaque. I could see Rivera being worthy of a monument.

The Yankees have been around for like 150 years and according to ESPN in 2016 all time had 3 players in the top 10, 1 more in the top 20 (2 if you count Clemens), 1 more in the top 30, and 2 more in the top 50.  So for a sport that has been around for 150 years or so, the Yankees according to ESPN have 7 of the 50 greatest players of all time (not counting Clemens), and that includes both hitters and pitchers. 

And Clemens does not have his number retired with the Yankees despite winning 2 championships (and making the WS 2 other times) over 6 seasons there.  Seems like a pretty apt comparison for KG.

I think the distinction with Clemens, beyond him being a scapegoat for the PED era, is that he was 1 of 25 guys on the roster.  You can't really argue that he was *the* key piece on any of the Yankees teams.

KG, on the other hand, was the most important player on one of the most dominant teams in franchise history.  When we acquired KG and Ray, I set my own arbitrary standard:  2 rings and at least 5 years.  However, after watching how things played out, I reached a different conclusion.  KG is one of the most important players in team history, so I'm absolutely fine with the honor.

Similarly, I'd commemorate Danny Ainge in the rafters somehow.  Whether that's by retiring #44, or giving him the "Danny" treatment like we do Loscy, I don't care.  But he's a hugely important piece of franchise history.

They do have Pettite's number retired.  Obviously he played a lot longer there, but he is also an admitted steroid user so I'm not sure I buy all the steroid stuff. 

To your other point, that is probably correct as Clemens wasn't the dominate fireballer then and was more just a guy.  The Yankees have retired Reggie Jackson and he didn't play there very long (5 seasons), but was such a dominate force on 2 title teams and another WS loss (including a WS MVP) that they honored him.  I think the 2 titles (and a loss) separates him from KG though.  If KG doesn't get hurt and Boston goes on to win in 09 or 10 (or both), then I'd absolutely believe he should have his number retired, but the fact is, Boston only had 1.5 seasons of prime KG and only 1 title in his 6 seasons.  Collectively that just isn't enough games or enough winning for me to retire his number.  That is the ultimate honor a franchise can bestow on a player and I just don't think KG did enough.