Boston Meets Garnett

The Boston Celtics held a press conference Thursday afternoon to introduce their newest member former Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett. The deal which looked dead a few weeks ago became official on Wednesday, as Boston sent five players and two future first round draft picks in exchange for the “Big Ticket.” Boston’s Director of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge opened the press conference by saying that it was going to be fun for his team this year.

Garnett said that he really never wanted to leave Minnesota, until he sat down with Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, earlier this off-season. He said that Taylor had told him that he was looking to rebuild, rather than contend for the next few years. Garnett said that when Boston traded for guard Ray Allen on Draft Night, it convinced him that the Celtics were the team that were most likely to get him a championship ring.

Boston Captain Paul Pierce thanked ownership and management for acquiring the two elite players. He said all three of them had been in similar situations the last few years having to take on the mantle of responsibility on their own shoulders. Pierce said that Garnett, and Allen are known for their unselfishness, and what the three truly wanted was that Championship ring.

Ainge went on to say that the Celtics were not done yet, that he had to fill the roster with good complimentary, and role players to augment the trio. Reports Thursday night were that the Celtics were on the verge of a one year deal with former New Jersey guard Eddie House. Ainge said that in the next handful of years the Celtics could be something special.

The former Celtics shooting guard who won two Championships with Boston in the 1980’s said that he heard his new players being referred to the “Big Three”. That of course was the term used to describe Celtics legends and Ainge’s former teammates, Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale. He said that this trio would not be the next “Big Three” until they won something, and he said the players understood this.