Perkins: “Garnett Was The Best Player On The Celtics When I Was There”
Former Boston Celtics center and NBA Champion, Kendrick Perkins, opens up about Kevin Garnett’s trade to the Celtics during the latest episode of ‘KG’s Area 21.’
Perkins had nothing but praise for The Big Ticket during his time on the show. And he certainly wasn’t shy to say that Garnett was the “best teammate he ever had.”
“In 2008, when he first got traded to the Celtics, he was the best player on our team,” says Perkins.
“You could say he was top two, top three in the league. It was him, Kobe [Bryant], and [Tim] Duncan,” says Perkins.
Perkins reiterated during the show, that Garnett taught him about sacrifice and he would later take that with him to Oklahoma City when he got traded to the Thunder in 2011 prior to the NBA Trade Deadline.
BOSTON – Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics talks with teammates Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo late in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers on December 3, 2008 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Pacers 114-96. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
“He instantly took a backseat [when arriving to Boston,]” said Perkins. “He took a backseat to let Paul [Pierce] and Ray [Allen]
After arriving in Boston, Garnett pulled Perkins aside to have a little talk.
“He was like you know what, this what I’m [Garnett] going to do Perk. Me and you. We’re going to get Paul [Pierce] and Ray [Allen] open. We’re going to get them the ball. If ya’ll need me to score a bucket later on, then I’ma do that,” said Garnett to Perkins.
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The moral of the story from Perkins, Garnett was the best player on a championship team. He was the ultimate teammate and he “sacrificed to win,” according to Perkins. And if you were to ask Perk who was the best player on the Celtics during his time there, he’d quickly respond with Garnett.
During the summer of 2007, the Celtics traded Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff, and a pair of first round draft picks in 2009 for the future Hall of Famer, helping to create what was known as “The Big Three.”
BOSTON – Kevin Garnett and Sam Cassell of the Boston Celtics celebrate during the Celtics’ Victory Parade on June 19, 2008 in Boston, Massachusettes. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The C’s would go onto win their 17th NBA Championship in 2008 during the first year of “The Big Three.” And they would later fall short of another championship in 2010 after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the finals. And in 2012 the Celtics lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the new “Big Three” of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat.
During Garnett‘s six seasons with the Celtics, he averaged 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists over 31 minutes per game.
Just remember folks….ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE!
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Watch the interview with Perkins below:
"He was the best teammate I ever had."@KendrickPerkins on @KGArea21's sacrifice and leadership when they played on the @celtics together. #KGArea21 pic.twitter.com/EjSxA3i6jf
— KG's Area 21 (@KGArea21) February 28, 2018
— By John ‘The Dude’ Hardiman, 985TheSportsHub.com
