Adrian Wojnarowski : The end of the KG era

[rondohondo]

BOSTON – Kevin Garnett changed Doc Rivers' life, changed forever the way people will remember him as a basketball coach. Rivers is a champion now, a paragon of his profession and there's never been a day on the job he hasn't understood that Garnett made it possible. This is the reason the tears welled within his eyes beneath that 17th championship banner in the Garden on Friday night, the reason that he squeezed Garnett on the sideline in the final seconds.

Deep down, Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett understood this was goodbye.

Deep down, they know it is over.

"I love you," Rivers told Garnett.

"I love you," Garnett told Rivers.

   Garnett had gone out the way that he had come into these Boston Celtics: Full of bravado, brilliance and pride. Always, pride. They had made the wildest of comebacks in this best-of-seven series with the New York Knicks, punctuated with the most stunning fourth quarter run in franchise playoff history, 20 consecutive points and the earth moving beneath them in the final moments of Game 6, the end of an era.

"He's as tough of a guy, a competitor, I've ever been around," Rivers said. "I just didn't want him to go out that way."

   Boston needs to retool again, and Garnett could make it easy for them with retirement. He has two years and $23.5 million left on a deal that includes a no-trade clause. A year ago, Rivers was certain Garnett would keep going. This time, "I'm not so positive," Rivers said.

Boston can buy out the final year on Paul Pierce's contract for $5 million – or pay him $15 million to play the season. Or trade him, and let someone else do it. The Celtics will work hard to move him in a package deal that includes a young player or a draft pick. Once Pierce goes, they know Garnett's decision will be easy.

"I didn't know how long this would go, but I also knew that you don't take it for granted," Rivers told Yahoo! Sports on his walk back to his office late Friday. "Look at Oklahoma City right now. I'm sure last year that they just assumed they would be back. And then an injury, and well, that's what happens."

For three years, there's been uncertainty about the Celtics' direction. General manager Danny Ainge pushed hard for deals involving Garnett and Pierce at the February trade deadline, but nothing materialized. This time, Rivers knew the ending was different, that the likelihood of this coach and his core returning together is dim.

"There's more doubt with everything," Rivers told Yahoo! Sports. "We don't know what we're doing, but also we don't know what [Garnett's] doing. It's different this year, there's no doubt about that."

And when it was over on the floor on Friday night, and Rivers substituted for Garnett in the final seconds, the Celtics' star stopped to ask his coach a question: "You all right, Doc?" This made it worse for Rivers, and truth be told, made it the most Garnett moment ever.

Rivers turned to his assistant coaches, shook his head and told them, "Typical Kevin."

"He's walking off the court, playing 41 minutes, exhausted and he was checking on me, to see how I was. … That's Kevin Garnett."

And on his way out of the Garden, out of these playoffs and a season and maybe a magnificent modern era of these Boston Celtics, Doc Rivers' heart was broken. Something ended here on Friday night, something that changed a coach – changed them all – forever.

With the way Doc is talking about kg , it certainly sounds like the rebuild will begin this summer.

[alley oop]

It was at least as emotional when KG left the court for the last time last season, and he came back.

[BballTim]

  Either or both could be leaving, but it wouldn't surprise me if you could find similar quotes over the last few offseasons, probably going back to the game 7 loss in 2010.

[Kane3387]

That article brought tears to my eyes. Kg is one a billion.

[syfy9]

I'm going to miss KG. I think it'd be difficult not to miss him.

[wahz]

I'm going to miss KG. I think it'd be difficult not to miss him.

Winter is coming.

Or, why not ask PP to really restructure. Say as low as 5-7 a year for two years? KG gave us a discount why not PP?
I'm not a cap guy, but would this be enough room to perhaps add a decent big, a guy who is near 7 foot and can play with KG and also play center when he isn't in? A HEALTHY roster of a new big, KG, PP, Green, Rondo, Bradley, Bass(who I think is UNDERRATED), Sullinger, 16th pick, Terry, Lee?

I suppose we don't have the cap room but its obvious why folks call for Al Jeff. We need a big and a reliable offensive guy. Al does both and rebounds

[rondohondo]

I'm going to miss KG. I think it'd be difficult not to miss him.

Winter is coming.

Or, why not ask PP to really restructure. Say as low as 5-7 a year for two years? KG gave us a discount why not PP?
I'm not a cap guy, but would this be enough room to perhaps add a decent big, a guy who is near 7 foot and can play with KG and also play center when he isn't in? A HEALTHY roster of a new big, KG, PP, Green, Rondo, Bradley, Bass(who I think is UNDERRATED), Sullinger, 16th pick, Terry, Lee?

I suppose we don't have the cap room but its obvious why folks call for Al Jeff. We need a big and a reliable offensive guy. Al does both and rebounds

can't do that , if we buy out PP he can't resign with the c's for a year .

[BleedGreen1989]

I'm going to miss KG. I think it'd be difficult not to miss him.

Winter is coming.

Or, why not ask PP to really restructure. Say as low as 5-7 a year for two years? KG gave us a discount why not PP?
I'm not a cap guy, but would this be enough room to perhaps add a decent big, a guy who is near 7 foot and can play with KG and also play center when he isn't in? A HEALTHY roster of a new big, KG, PP, Green, Rondo, Bradley, Bass(who I think is UNDERRATED), Sullinger, 16th pick, Terry, Lee?

I suppose we don't have the cap room but its obvious why folks call for Al Jeff. We need a big and a reliable offensive guy. Al does both and rebounds

can't do that , if we buy out PP he can't resign with the c's for a year .

Restructuring and buying out are very different. Doubt it happens though but it is technically possible

[rondohondo]

I'm going to miss KG. I think it'd be difficult not to miss him.

Winter is coming.

Or, why not ask PP to really restructure. Say as low as 5-7 a year for two years? KG gave us a discount why not PP?
I'm not a cap guy, but would this be enough room to perhaps add a decent big, a guy who is near 7 foot and can play with KG and also play center when he isn't in? A HEALTHY roster of a new big, KG, PP, Green, Rondo, Bradley, Bass(who I think is UNDERRATED), Sullinger, 16th pick, Terry, Lee?

I suppose we don't have the cap room but its obvious why folks call for Al Jeff. We need a big and a reliable offensive guy. Al does both and rebounds

can't do that , if we buy out PP he can't resign with the c's for a year .

Restructuring and buying out are very different. Doubt it happens though but it is technically possible

no it isn't , you can't restructure PP'S contract, he can only play for the celtics if he is making 15 mil next season .

He has a buyout option for 5 mil

[badshar]

If Pierce and KG really do leave, then we can all get ready to cheer for a team that will suck for the next 10 years and will be nothing but an embarrassment.

[AB_Celtic]

If Pierce and KG really do leave, then we can all get ready to cheer for a team that will suck for the next 10 years and will be nothing but an embarrassment.

"You forgetting someone?"

[wahz]

I'm going to miss KG. I think it'd be difficult not to miss him.

Winter is coming.

Or, why not ask PP to really restructure. Say as low as 5-7 a year for two years? KG gave us a discount why not PP?
I'm not a cap guy, but would this be enough room to perhaps add a decent big, a guy who is near 7 foot and can play with KG and also play center when he isn't in? A HEALTHY roster of a new big, KG, PP, Green, Rondo, Bradley, Bass(who I think is UNDERRATED), Sullinger, 16th pick, Terry, Lee?

I suppose we don't have the cap room but its obvious why folks call for Al Jeff. We need a big and a reliable offensive guy. Al does both and rebounds

can't do that , if we buy out PP he can't resign with the c's for a year .

Restructuring and buying out are very different. Doubt it happens though but it is technically possible

no it isn't , you can't restructure PP'S contract, he can only play for the celtics if he is making 15 mil next season .

He has a buyout option for 5 mil

Well I don't know who is right but there have been articles suggesting he can be restructured. I'll guess your right and its not possible. In that case the problems are he isn't worth 15 and we can't get anyone as good for 5-8, AND that KG probably goes too, and he is a bargain. It's a mess on the surface

[badshar]

If Pierce and KG really do leave, then we can all get ready to cheer for a team that will suck for the next 10 years and will be nothing but an embarrassment.

"You forgetting someone?"

No I am not. I am a big Rondo fan and I was one those who didn't want to trade him for Chris Paul, but Rondo is not LeBron who can single-handedly take his team far into the playoffs. Sure Rondo steps up his game, but a team with just Rondo will be just like a team with one superstar, like it used to be before the superteams began to come forward.

In this league, you need MULTIPLE superstars to win. You can't do it alone, unless you are playing a team like the Bobcats every game.

[bobbyv]

I'm going to miss KG. I think it'd be difficult not to miss him.

Winter is coming.

Or, why not ask PP to really restructure. Say as low as 5-7 a year for two years? KG gave us a discount why not PP?
I'm not a cap guy, but would this be enough room to perhaps add a decent big, a guy who is near 7 foot and can play with KG and also play center when he isn't in? A HEALTHY roster of a new big, KG, PP, Green, Rondo, Bradley, Bass(who I think is UNDERRATED), Sullinger, 16th pick, Terry, Lee?

I suppose we don't have the cap room but its obvious why folks call for Al Jeff. We need a big and a reliable offensive guy. Al does both and rebounds

can't do that , if we buy out PP he can't resign with the c's for a year .

Restructuring and buying out are very different. Doubt it happens though but it is technically possible

no it isn't , you can't restructure PP'S contract, he can only play for the celtics if he is making 15 mil next season .

He has a buyout option for 5 mil

Well I don't know who is right but there have been articles suggesting he can be restructured. I'll guess your right and its not possible. In that case the problems are he isn't worth 15 and we can't get anyone as good for 5-8, AND that KG probably goes too, and he is a bargain. It's a mess on the surface

Officially he can't be restructured. Pierce however does have an ETO that he can enact which will allow us to resign him at a lower price

[BballTim]

If Pierce and KG really do leave, then we can all get ready to cheer for a team that will suck for the next 10 years and will be nothing but an embarrassment.

"You forgetting someone?"

No I am not. I am a big Rondo fan and I was one those who didn't want to trade him for Chris Paul, but Rondo is not LeBron who can single-handedly take his team far into the playoffs. Sure Rondo steps up his game, but a team with just Rondo will be just like a team with one superstar, like it used to be before the superteams began to come forward.

In this league, you need MULTIPLE superstars to win. You can't do it alone, unless you are playing a team like the Bobcats every game.

  I could easily see him taking the current team to the ecf, the supporting cast would be clearly superior to what he had to work with last year.