Celtics part ways with Pierce and Garnett
We all knew that this day would come, but I think no one had really expected that it would come like this. Celtics fans everywhere lambasted Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce for slowing down due to age, but we all hoped that they would retire wearing green. Instead, they are headed to the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster trade as the Celtics hope to rebuild their team from the ground up.
This trade officially marks the end of the “Big Three” that carried the Celtics over the past half-decade and won a championship in 2008.
Pierce was the longest-tenured member of the Big Three and was drafted by the Celtics in 1998. He played his heart out for Boston in every single game since, quickly becoming a team leader and fan favorite. Garnett was brought in before the 2007-2008 season and led the team to their first NBA Finals victory in 22 years.
The specifics of the trade have Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry going to the Brooklyn Nets for Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace, Keith Bogans, and three first-round picks. While losing Garnett and Pierce is a tragedy in itself, the trade could work out for the Celtics as Humphries and Wallace are solid players and both 30 years of age or younger. The big focus now for the Celtics though will be in this year’s draft as they hope to build a core of younger talent in their organization to ensure future success. With their aging stars leaving, they are left with nothing to do but start from scratch.
No one on either side of the trade was available to comment but Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau who served as an assistant to Doc Rivers gave his thoughts on the trade.
“You hate to see it. I certainly hate to see them go to Brooklyn, Doc of course going to the Clippers.” Thibodeu said. “But that’s the NBA. It’s constant change, and you have to be ready to adapt. I think what Paul Pierce did for that franchise and Kevin — I think’s it’s good for them. They have an opportunity to continue on. Good for the Celtics, where they can start their rebuilding, and it was good for Doc.”
While this may be a sad day in Boston, don’t forget that there are still a few bright stars in players like Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green. In time, a new big three might emerge for the Celtics as they continue to adapt in the next coming years.
