Much of last year there was speculation as to whether or not Kevin Garnett would retire. Instead he came back and joined Paul Pierce as the Boston Celtics went for another run. Unfortunately they lost Rajon Rondo to an ACL tear and battled injuries throughout the season themselves. In the first round of the playoffs they rallied to force a game six after the Knicks took a commanding 3-0 series lead. The run ended Friday night in Boston as the Knicks withstood their comeback and defeated the Celtics 88-80. The game might’ve been the last for Garnett. Read more after the jump.
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.
“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.”
Though it resulted in a loss, Garnett put up a fight dropping 15 points and 10 rebounds playing 41 minutes.
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.
Garnett turns 37 years old this month and this might’ve been his last run.
