Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
In the 2012-13 NBA season alone, Garnett should surpass 6,000 points, leaving Ray Allen (5,987), Bailey Howell(5,812), Don Chaney (5,689), Dee Brown (5,512) and Larry Siegfried (5,420) in his wake. The projected 8,366 points would also leapfrog him over Cedric Maxwell (8,311), Reggie Lewis (7,902), Ed Macauley (7,882), Dennis Johnson (6,805) and Danny Ainge (6,257) into 17th on the all-time scoring list. The Celtics have retired the numbers of all 16 others with the lone exception of Antoine Walker (11,386), who never won a title.
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Scoring is one thing. Contributing across the board, as Garnett does, is another. Only three players in Celtics history have exceeded 8,300 points, 4,400 rebounds, 1,400 assists, 600 steals and 500 blocks: Pierce (22,591 points, 5,417 rebounds, 3,401 assists, 1,349 steals, 561 blocks), Larry Bird (21,791 points, 8,974 rebounds, 5,695 assists, 1,556 steals, 755 blocks) and Robert Parish (18,245 points, 11,051 rebounds, 1,679 assists, 873 steals, 1,703 blocks). Based on his projected numbers over eight seasons, Garnett would be the fourth.
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Either way you slice it, unless Garnett joins the Lakers at age 39 or falls completely off the map in Year 1 of his new contract, his No. 5 deserves to be raised to the Garden rafters in 2015 or whenever he decides to retire.
Our friend Ben Rohrbach of WEEI lays out a great case for the Celtics retiring Kevin Garnett’s #5. If you are a stats person, the projected numbers (great work Ben – or should we credit your intern for crunching the numbers?) propel Garnett into the discussion.
If duration is a big factor for you, consider this: If KG plays out this 3 year contract, he’ll surpass Dennis Johnson (7 years) and equal Cedric Maxwell (8 years) in time served in Boston.
If the decision rested solely on my shoulders, I would say yes. Without Garnett, there’s no Big 3 Part II. An era that includes one championship, two Finals appearances and a Game 7 in the ECF.
Let’s not discount that KG completely re-energized the fan base. Kids everywhere (including my own) are sporting #5 jerseys.
He deserves the honor. Share your opinion in our poll (see right sidebar).
On a separate note, Moke Hamilton of Sheridan Hoops picks 8 players as the Biggest Individual Winners in Free Agency. I’m stunned at the omission of Jeff Green. After playing mediocre basketball for his first 3 months in Boston and missing last season due to a heart ailment, he’s in line to collect $36+ million over the next four years. I’d call Jeff Green a winner.
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