We’ve been hearing that the Boston Celtics’ original “Big 3”, of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen, was too old to compete for a title almost as soon as the trio was put together prior to the ’07-’08 season.
They immediately took that slight personally, becoming one of the Greatest NBA Champions of All Time in winning 66 games and winning the 2008 NBA crown, followed by another Finals appearance in 2010.
In consecutive seasons to follow, the maturing Celtics made some significant changes to the roster in a n attempt to continue to focus on their core of aging All Stars, like when center Kendrick Perkins was traded to the OKC Thunder and Ray Allen chose to defect to the Miami Heat in attempt to win another ring.
And now after a disappointing 1st Round Playoff exit at the hands of the NY Knicks in 2013, it may finally be the end of an era in Beantown as GM Danny Ainge might be forced to make significant changes if Boston is to compete with the Heat and the Knicks in the Eastern Conference.
We’ll begin with “The Truth” Paul Pierce, who after 15 seasons as a Celtics starting player has arguably etched a prolific path to the Naismith Hall of Fame and Celtics lore as he joins only Larry Bird and John Havlicek as the only players ever to put on the Celtics uniform to score more than 20,000 points.
But more than any other player on the roster, the now 35 year old Pierce epitomizes the steady decay and decline of the Celtics as the former 10 time All Star and 2008 Finals MVP now struggles to keep up in the open floor against today’s younger and faster forwards.
Although Pierce has expressed a desire to remain in a Celtics uniform, management is faced with some tough decisions like either attempt a trade, buying him out for $5 million, or assign Pierce the amnesty tag.
When it comes to “The Big Ticket” Kevin Garnett, the 15 time All Star and former league MVP continually fights off injuries that have begun to take their toll as KG hasn’t played a full season since the ’04-’05 campaign.
Although he’s a surefire Hall of Famer and potential Top 50 player all time, Garnett will be 37 by the start of the ’13-’14 season and fought off some excruciating hip, knee, and ankle injuries this season alone, that essentially forced him to develop into a glorified 15-18 foot jump-shooter.
Garnett is owed $12 million for next season, with only $6 million guaranteed, making him an easy buyout if they so desire, but a trade is essentially off the table because of a no-trade clause. Pierce is owed $15.3 million with only $6 million guaranteed, without a no trade clause.
With an injured Rajon Rondo and Jared Sullinger, along with a rejuvenated Jeff Green, Avery Bradley, and Brandon Bass back in the fold as the Celtics rebuild, it appears as if we have witnessed an end of an era.
ESPN Discusses Pierce and Garnett’s Future:
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
