Kevin Garnett is one of the greatest power forwards to ever play the game. Over the course of 22 seasons, he earned 14 All-Star appearances, a league MVP, 9 All-NBA selections, and a Defensive Player of the Year award. He averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds per game for his career.
But his tenure didn’t come without at least one NBA Championship. In 2008, he was crucial in helping the Celtics win the NBA Finals and he (along with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo) cemented their place in basketball history.
How much more could he have won, however, had he joined the team earlier?
According to the Boston big man himself, he’d have at least one more ring…
“If I could actually go back and change anything, I would’ve left Minnesota a little earlier, knowing that the management wasn’t as committed as I was,” Kevin Garnett told Shams Charania of The Athletic.
“Or wasn’t committed at all. I probably would’ve went to Boston or changed the situation earlier. I would’ve been a little younger and that means less wear and tear on the body. Teaming up with Paul (Pierce), I should’ve done that earlier. Who knows — I’m probably sitting here with another ring or two. But, yeah.”
The partnership of Pierce and Garnett was nearly seamless. They complimented each other perfectly and played off each other’s strengths well.
Plus, with coach Doc Rivers and a slew of talented role players, who is to say that they couldn’t have won a few more together? Unfortunately, we’ll never get the chance to find out. We’ll just have to take KG’s word for it on this one.
