Celtics fans gave Kevin Garnett the most appropriate tribute Monday night
Wolves forward Kevin Garnett did not play in Monday’s matchup with the Celtics, but that did not prevent the sold out TD Garden crowd from paying tribute to the big man.
Garnett watched the entire contest from the Wolves bench as part of a planned night of rest, but fans still spontaneously chanted “We want KG!’’ on countless occasions during Boston’s 113-99 win over Minnesota, in hopes of seeing the long-time Celtic star on the floor.
“I really wanted [the crowd] to stop that because I didn’t know if Sam was going to actually put me in,’’ Garnett said after the game. “I was like, ‘Please, please!’ But it was cool.’’
Wolves head coach Sam Mitchell did not relent to the pressure from the Garden faithful to sub Garnett into the game, but Brad Stevens did his best to ensure the capacity crowd would have a proper chance to salute the 39-year-old legend in the game’s closing moments.
Stevens called a timeout with just over a minute remaining in the win, giving the Garden crew a chance to play the Celtics victory anthem “Gino Time’’ on the jumbotron. The old school dance video played to the soundtrack of “You Should Be Dancing’’ by the Bee Gees is a favorite of Garnett’s and helped lure the 20-year veteran onto the court for a standing ovation.
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“I was subbing,’’ Stevens said after the game when asked about why he called the timeout. “But in retrospect that was a hell of a call.’’
After greeting several Celtic staff members after the game, Garnett spoke about the emotional moment and a return to his former home.
“Boston’s always been a special place in my heart and probably always will,’’ Garnett said. “Tonight, although the outcome wasn’t the way I wanted it to be, it was a great homecoming. It felt really good to be in the building.’’
Garnett also could not hide his excitement upon seeing Gino Time, even though his young Wolves teammates did not understand the tradition.
“[Gino] was like the cherry on top for me, you know?’’ Garnett said. “My teammates were looking at me like, ‘What is this?’ I was like, ‘I’ll explain later.’ So thank you for whoever put the Gino on. I know my guys here put it on for me, so I appreciate that.’’
Garnett was not the only one who appreciated seeing love from the Garden crowd, as Stevens and other Celtics looked fondly upon the respect given to one of the game’s greats.
“[It was] awesome,’’ Stevens said of the crowd’s praise for Garnett. “I think this is one of the great things about getting a chance to coach the Boston Celtics and being in the position where we’re really building and growing and we will hopefully continue be in that good direction for a long time, just getting better every day, because those guys were so good for before this – and what they were able to accomplish, how they came together quickly, won a championship, and what that guy meant to that team and to the spirit of the organization at that time from everything that I’ve been told is quite impressive. So I was not chanting loudly, but maybe under my breath as well.’’
Jae Crowder echoed those sentiments in the Boston locker room.
“Amazing. Loved it,’’ he said of the chants. “That’s what it’s all about, paying respect to a legend, so I love it.’’
The memorable night marked perhaps the last time the city of Boston will have a chance to pay tribute to Garnett on the court. The future Hall of Famer dodged answering whether this would be his final visit in Boston, but sent a special message to the region before exiting.
“I like to say that Minnesota made me a young man,’’ he said. “I grew up when I came to Boston. I learned a lot coming from the Minnesota situation, and I applied it in my Boston situation. I’ve got all great memories here.
“It’s hard to even come in this building and not want to play. But the appreciation of not only the city, but the Massachusetts area, the Northeast, they give me — the love is unconditional. And I’m very appreciative of it.’’
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