Will Garnett and Allen have their numbers retired?

[ibby]

I don't ask about Pierce b/c that is a forgone conclusion; I mean, they might as well hang his up there now.  However, Garnett and Allen are stars, helped the team win a championship, and seem to be loved by everyone.

Boston has a tradition of retiring numbers...a lot of numbers.  Even if Ray were to leave/be traded when his contract is up I believe there would be a little debate, but not like with KG.

So suppose (a) *knock on wood* they (Garnett and Allen) win no more championships, have a pretty good season this year, then rapidly decline for the rest of their times in Boston, or (b) they win no more championships, and finish their careers with pretty good stats, or (c) they win at least one more championship would they have their numbers retired in all of these situations, some of them, or none of them?  Especially if they end up only playing 3-5 years in Boston.

[ToppersBsktball10]

Garnett yes, Allen no.

[ibby]

Could I ask why not with Allen?  He was huge in the finals.

[jambr380]

I think if Garnett finishes out his contract and Allen signs on again for another couple of years, then yes, both of them should have no problem. I really think that Allen has no chance if he just leaves after this year- three years just isn't enough time. I mean, if that's the case, then Antoine better have his number up there, too. They didn't win a championship while he was here, but he was the best or the second best on this team for many years- some of them exciting playoff runs...

[Bahku]

Yeah ... I certainly hope the C's have the respect and forethought to retire these guys in GREEN, and keep them around long enough to do so. As long as they're relatively healthy, these are two guys who can contribute substantially even at 70%.

[bballdog384]

If Garnett and Ray both stay here for the same amount of time, I think it would be hard to retire KG's and not Ray's. But I do think that they need to win one more in a Celtic uniform before their numbers are retired. Sure, the Celtics have a lot of retired numbers, but that is only because they've won so many championships.

[Roy Hobbs]

My answer is the same as always:  five-plus seasons and two or more championships, yes, anything else, no.

[celticinorlando]

1. danny needs to have 44 retired before both

2. KG yes...ray maybe....PP A LOCK

[ToppersBsktball10]

Could I ask why not with Allen?  He was huge in the finals.

True, but one finals doesn't mean much. Ray will be in the hall of fame, but won't have hi jersey retired unless he plays at an all star level for the next 3+years, and I definitely do not see that. The only other case is if he wins 2 Finals MVP's.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Could I ask why not with Allen?  He was huge in the finals.

True, but one finals doesn't mean much. Ray will be in the hall of fame, but won't have hi jersey retired unless he plays at an all star level for the next 3+years, and I definitely do not see that. The only other case is if he wins 2 Finals MVP's.

Why not? Last year he was arguably our best player on the floor for most of the year. Even though he had a slow start, he was huge for us in the Chicago series. Sucked in Orlando, though he apparently was quite banged up, and just about everyone sucked in that series.

Even though he has struggled so far, he's looking good overall. He hasn't slowed down, his form looks pretty good, players are still having a tough time following him through screens, and his defense has been overall solid so far this season.

I have seen zero deterioration from where he was when he arrived here. In fact, he looks better than when he arrived.

[Eja117]

My answer is the same as always:  five-plus seasons and two or more championships, yes, anything else, no.

So if KG is here for 4 seasons and wins one or two rings it's a no? So one of the top 50 players ever with his rings here, not in the rafters? And the same thing for Ray?

Wat if Rondo plays here for 10 seasons, goes to 6 All-star games, and gets only one ring?

I don't know.

[Eja117]

Garnett yes, Allen no.

In some ways I have a hard time seeing two out of three of the big 3 getting their numbers up there together.

I don't see why there can't just be a waiting period and not get in there immediately. Like maybe they can help coach for a couple years or something and then all three can get in with DA all on the same night and then all come back 10 years later to let in Perk and Rondo

Why would anyone have problems with that?

[GLS]

Personally, Garnett should for this simple fact:  the mindset of the entire organization took a change upon his arrival.  His intensity permeated everything and everyone within the organization. 

Hell, his number ought to be hanging right now.

[slamtheking]

My answer is the same as always:  five-plus seasons and two or more championships, yes, anything else, no.

pretty much my guidelines as well.

[nickagneta]

If I was a betting man, I would think that Rajon Rondo has a better chance of having his number retired than Ray Allen. I just don't see Ray playing beyond this year for the C's unless it is at a severe discount, a discount I'm not so sure that a player of Ray's caliber will want to take. So even if we win it all this year, 2 titles and three years service does not a retired number make in Boston.

Now Garnett is a different story because he is star 1 or 1A depending upon how you look at who is most important, Pierce of KG. But he isn't third banana ala Ray, though Ray might be the best third banana ever along with James Worthy and Robert Parish. Also, KG will be here for 5 years minimum and with at least one more championship, then it would be just a foregone conclusion as to whether Garnetts 5 goes up.

But I still think if Rondo is here long term, puts up another championship minimum sets all assist records for this team(a very real possibility given his skills, team mates and age), his 9 will easily follow Pierce's and Garnett's numbers toward Celtic Heaven.