The number 5 today will join the ranks of Celtics legends overlooking the parquet floor from the rafters of TD Garden.
Kevin Garnett and his family will help raise the historic banner featuring his number 5 to the arena rafters, cementing a Celtics legacy which featured five All-Star appearances, a Defensive Player of the Year award, and a 2008 NBA Championship banner in his six seasons with the franchise.
“Everything changed the minute KG walked into the first practice,” said Celtics Governor, Managing Partner, and CEO Wyc Grousbeck. “A lot of people contributed to the championship, but KG would simply not let us lose that year. He is one of my very favorite people and very favorite Celtics.”
“KG embodies the heart and soul of what it means to be a Celtic,” said Celtics Co-Owner and Alternate Governor Steve Pagliuca. “His selflessness and team leadership were critical to bringing a 17th banner back to Boston. He proved that nothing is impossible when you play as a team and trust each other. He is simply the best.”
Acquired by the Celtics on July 31, 2007 from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for five players and two first-round draft picks, Garnett played six impactful seasons in Boston from 2007-08 to 2012-13, producing 15.7 points on 52.0% shooting, 8.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocked shots across 396 games with the franchise. He was named an NBA All-Star in five of his six seasons with the Celtics, including each of his first four from 2008 to 2011.
In his first season with Boston, the then 13-year NBA veteran averaged 18.8 points on 53.9% shooting, 9.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocked shots, all of which finished as his high marks with the team. He was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in his career, becoming the first Celtics player in franchise history to receive the award.
Garnett played an integral role in the Celtics’ quest for Banner 17, averaging a double-double with 20.4 points (49.5% FG), 10.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocked shots in 26 postseason games in 2008. He finished with 30+ points twice during Boston’s historic playoff run – including a 33-point, 7-rebound performance in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Detroit – and capped off his playoff dominance with 26 points (10-18 FG) and 14 rebounds in the Celtics championship-clinching Game 6 against the Los Angeles Lakers on June 17.
Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020, Garnett received 15 career All-Star selections in 21 seasons with Minnesota, Boston, and Brooklyn. The fifth overall selection of the 1995 NBA Draft is one three players in NBA history to tally at least 20,000 points and 10,000 rebounds for his career (Abdul-Jabbar/Malone), and one of two players to surpass 1,800 steals and 1,800 blocks (Olajuwon).
Celtics fans attending today’s game against the Dallas Mavericks will be greeted with a commemorative t-shirt featuring the number 5 and a silhouette of Kevin Garnett on the front, courtesy of TD Bank. Vistaprint and the Celtics have also teamed up with local artist Ally Thatcher of Fallen Cargo to create a mural across the 19,156 seats of TD Garden. Each fan will receive a piece of the overarching mural on its seatback.
GIFTS GARNETT WILL RECEIVE FROM CELTICS
As part of the ceremony, which will include Garnett’s family, Celtics alumni, current Celtics players, and Celtics executives on the parquet, the Celtics will present Garnett with a series of gifts acknowledging his memorable Celtics career, including:
– A replica of the retired number 5 banner, which is framed with authentic parquet flooring from the 2007-08 championship season.
– A framed collage including a number 5 square, iconic photos of Garnett, and an authentic piece of parquet flooring, etched with career accolades.
– Original painting by esteemed artist Daniel Maltzman, which was created behind the banners hanging in the rafters.
– NFT Gift Basket including five original collectibles from Gutter Pigeons, Bears Deluxe, SupDucks, The Doggies (Snoop Dogg), and Rug Radio.
– A custom engraved bottle of Cincoro Extra Añejo Tequila.
