Boston Celtics acquire 10-Time All Star Kevin Garnett

It is now a done deal!

The Boston Celtics completed an NBA blockbuster trade today that landed them one of the most versatile big men in the league, 6′11 forward Kevin Garnett.

In return, the Minnesota Timberwolves will receive F’s Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, C Theo Ratliff, G’s Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair & a pair of 2009 1st-round draft picks.

This is the second-biggest trade in NBA History involving a single player. Scottie Pippen was involved in a 7 player deal in 1999 when the future Hall-of-Fame forward was sent to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Walt Williams, Stacey Augmon, Ed Gray, Brian Shaw, Carlos Rogers & Kelvin Cato.

Garnett spent his last 12 seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves & has career averages of 20.5 PPG, 11.4 RPG & 4.5 APG in 927 games.

Garnett has also reeled off 9 straight seasons with averages of at least 20 PPG, 10 RPG & 4 APG, making him the 1st player ever in NBA History to do so. KG has also led the league in rebounding in each of the last 4 seasons.

KG has also made 8 NBA All-Defensive teams, won the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 2003 & the NBA’s Regular Season MVP in 2004.

Now that Garnett’s 12 year tenure in Minnesota has ended, Kobe Bryant is now the NBA’s current longest tenured player with 1 team. (Bryant has played 10 seasons with the Lakers)

Now let’s look at the “other two” superstars in Boston.

Paul Pierce now has the best supporting cast of his career as he enters his 10th season with the Celtics.

Pierce has averaged at least 20 PPG & 6 RPG per game for 7 consecutive seasons. His career scoring average with Boston is 23.6 PPG, which ranks second right behind Larry Bird’s 24.3 PPG.

Pierce still holds the record for most consecutive free-throws made without a miss during the NBA Playoffs, which stands at 23. Pierce accomplished this during a 1st-round 2003 playoff series against Indiana.

Ray Allen joins the Celtics after having the best season of his career.

Despite appearing in only 55 games for Seattle in 2006-07, Allen averaged a career-high 26.4 PPG.

Allen also ranks 2nd all-time with 1,920 career three-point field goals made, trailing only Reggie Miller. (All-time leader with 2,560)

Boston now has a very dangerous 1-2-3 combo which immediately makes them contenders in the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics are now in need of a veteran PG to give the team some much-needed leadership at that position.

Since last making the playoffs during the 2004-05 season (Celtics lost 4-3 to the Pacers in the 1st round), Boston has seen their regular-season record decline rapidly over the past 2 seasons. (Celtics finished 33-49 in 2005-06 & 24-58 in 2006-07.)

Celtics basketball is back!

Until then,

Mattie T

Sports Writer for BMS Radio Chicago

www.BMSRadio.com

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