The teams had discussed a trade for the 6-foot-11 Garnett, the league's leading rebounder each of the past four seasons, before the June draft. But he preferred other teams to Boston, which didn't want to give up Jefferson.
Boston's acquisition of Allen, 32, to go with Pierce, 29, was a major factor in changing Garnett's mind.
"I am excited to become a Celtic," said Garnett, who wore No. 21 in Minnesota and will wear No. 5 in Boston. "It's wonderful to have the opportunity to play with players the quality of Paul and Ray.
"The Celtics have had a proud tradition and now I hope that we can add to the legacy."
Garnett, who averaged 22.4 points last season, realized he didn't fit in with Minnesota's idea of rebuilding with youth and was amazed at the activity to finalize the trade.
"It's like being in a Lamborghini doing 200 with your head stuck out the window," he said. "It's been like a whirlwind the last 72 hours."
BOSTON — Kevin Garnett gives Boston a new Big Three that seemingly brings the Celtics much closer to what their old Big Three delivered — a league title.
The Celtics, who have 16 championships but have gone without one since 1986, obtained the 2004 most valuable player and 10-time All-Star on Tuesday in a seven-for-one deal — the league's biggest trade for one player.
Boston sent the Minnesota Timberwolves forwards Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes and Gerald Green, guard Sebastian Telfair and center-forward Theo Ratliff, two first-round draft picks and cash considerations. Besides Ratliff, 34, the other four players Minnesota gets are 24 or younger.
With swingman Paul Pierce and former Sonics guard Ray Allen already on the roster, the Celtics have been transformed from a collection of youngsters who had the league's second-worst record (24-58) last season into an instant contender in the Eastern Conference.
"This is probably my best opportunity at winning a ring," the 31-year-old Garnett said. "It was a no-brainer."
The Celtics won their last three titles with the original Big Three of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. Two members of the 1986 championship team orchestrated the blockbuster trade — Danny Ainge, Celtics executive director of basketball operations, and McHale, vice president of basketball operations for Minnesota.
But Ainge cautioned that it is too early to equate the trios.
"These guys will never be the Big Three until they win" a championship, Ainge said.
Garnett signed a multiyear extension; he had one year plus a player-option year remaining on his contract.
The Timberwolves get the Celtics' first-round pick in 2009, unless it is among the top three, and a return of Minnesota's conditional first-round draft pick obtained in January 2006 when Boston sent Ricky Davis to the Timberwolves for Wally Szczerbiak. Szczerbiak was traded to the Sonics as part of the June 28 deal that brought Allen to Boston.
The previous biggest trade for one league player came in 1999, when Houston obtained Scottie Pippen from Portland for six players.
"I'm confident I made the right decision here, even though that it was a difficult one," said Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, who noted Garnett didn't request a trade.
I think it is amazing.. like a gift from god. Maybe the celtics will finally be on the cover of sports illustrated since they havnt been since early 1990
1. Whats your first name? Lena 2. Do you believe in Fate? ahh Maybe 3. What turns you on? Alcohol. 4. Should Cannabis be Legalized Yes 5. Whats your first childhood memory? Me n the fam playing at the beach 6. Do you go to Church? NO 7. What age did you lose your Virginity? 16 8. Favorite month of the year? December christmas 9. Is rock n roll the devils music? NO w ay 10. How many hours a day do you spend on C S? 1 few 11. What era would you live in, if you could go back in time? um... maybe the 70's 12. Do you prefer vinyl or CDs? cds 13. Is there a Heaven? idk havnt been 14. How long does it take you to get to sleep? 2 minutes 15. What is your favorite word? Dude 16. Who would play you in the story of your life? hmmm jessica alba or eva medez 17. How manty times a day do you look in the mirror? a lot i admitit 18. Do you think there is other lifeforms in the universe? Yes 19. Name a C S member youve never spoke to but would like too? ahh not sure i speek to everyone 20. What are you wearing right now?.........(thank you)
lenababi Forum Posts (1,746)
Maybe the celtics will finally be on the cover of sports illustrated since they havnt been since early 1990
Hey guys whats going on in here??
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