Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett during a ceremony as Garnett’s number was retired following their loss to the Dallas Mavericks 95-92 during NBA action at TD Garden.” src=”https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/s3___bgmp-arc_arc-feeds_generic-photos_to-arc_LEE_031322celticsmavs14SPTS-665e32fbdd52f-768×432.jpg” srcset=”https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/s3___bgmp-arc_arc-feeds_generic-photos_to-arc_LEE_031322celticsmavs14SPTS-665e32fbdd52f-768×432.jpg?width=200 200w, https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/s3___bgmp-arc_arc-feeds_generic-photos_to-arc_LEE_031322celticsmavs14SPTS-665e32fbdd52f-768×432.jpg?width=300 300w, https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/s3___bgmp-arc_arc-feeds_generic-photos_to-arc_LEE_031322celticsmavs14SPTS-665e32fbdd52f-768×432.jpg?width=400 400w, https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/s3___bgmp-arc_arc-feeds_generic-photos_to-arc_LEE_031322celticsmavs14SPTS-665e32fbdd52f-768×432.jpg?width=500 500w, https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/s3___bgmp-arc_arc-feeds_generic-photos_to-arc_LEE_031322celticsmavs14SPTS-665e32fbdd52f-768×432.jpg?width=600 600w, https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/s3___bgmp-arc_arc-feeds_generic-photos_to-arc_LEE_031322celticsmavs14SPTS-665e32fbdd52f-768×432.jpg?width=700 700w, https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/s3___bgmp-arc_arc-feeds_generic-photos_to-arc_LEE_031322celticsmavs14SPTS-665e32fbdd52f-768×432.jpg?width=800 800w, https://bdc2020.o0bc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/s3___bgmp-arc_arc-feeds_generic-photos_to-arc_LEE_031322celticsmavs14SPTS-665e32fbdd52f-768×432.jpg?width=900 900w” sizes=”(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px”>Kevin Garnett is not a fan of the narrative surrounding the Celtics’ run to the NBA Finals. Matthew J. Lee / The Boston Globe
Kevin Garnett has never shied away from speaking his mind, whether on the court or now in his post-playing career.
The Celtics legend and NBA Hall of Famer doesn’t hold back when it comes to a prevailing narrative looming over the 2023-24 Boston Celtics.
Boston has taken care of business en route to a berth in the NBA Finals for the second time in three seasons, with a 12-2 record this postseason, but that hasn’t stopped several pundits and media outlets from insisting in the breaks that have fallen. the path of the Celtics during this streak.
In their three series wins over the Heat (46 wins), Cavaliers (48 wins) and Pacers (47 wins), the Celtics benefited from several key opponents not playing due to injuries, including Jimmy Butler (Heat), Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers), Jarrett Allen (Cavaliers) and Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers).
Of course, the top-seeded Celtics also dominated the Eastern Conference without the help of Kristaps Porzingis, who missed the final 10 games after suffering a calf strain in Game 4 against the Heat.
But Boston’s path this postseason has been a common topic of conversation over the past week when it comes to the Celtics’ viability as an elite championship team.
That speech doesn’t sit well with Garnett, who broke the narrative during the latest episode of the “Ticket & The Truth” podcast along with his Celtics great teammate Paul Pierce.
“I think people want this big drama or something because all the other shows have been like that,” Garnett said. “’Oh, when LeBron (James) did it and when Kobe (Bryant) did this and Michael Jordan.’ Listen, man. His way is his way. First of all, it’s not the Celtics’ fault that guys get hurt, don’t play, fall out of the lineup, etc. There are still other pros that come in, play as hard as (expletive), and still try to win. And close a game away from home? “Man, I don’t know what people want.”
While Boston’s run thus far hasn’t been riddled with drama, the Celtics have still fought their way through several close games and orchestrated multiple comeback victories, especially during a competitive four-game sweep against the Pacers in the Finals. of the Eastern Conference.
“People want all this heartfelt drama and playing seven games,” Garnett said. “No, that’s not the script here. Their script: They’re almost 16 games better than anyone else in the East, they swept your team and it is what it is. And also, they are losing 18 points as a visitor.
“They think you just press a button and suddenly you’re tied up. No man. You have to win away from home and it is very difficult to win away from home and it is even more difficult to close a team. But for all this other (expletive) that you can’t control and that’s out of your control, get the (expletive) out of here with that. This is what it is.”
Garnett isn’t the only one defending the Celtics and their competition so far in the postseason, with Warriors forward Draymond Green dismissing rumors that Boston hasn’t been tested last week on his own podcast .
“(Critics say) they haven’t been battle-tested and all that,” Green said. “Whether they get to these NBA Finals and win or lose won’t be because they haven’t been battle tested, let me tell you that. You don’t make the NBA Finals and at some point in the year you haven’t been battle tested; It doesn’t happen, it won’t happen, it won’t happen this time.”
Charging…
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