The Boston Celtics pulled off acquiring two superstars to go along with Paul Pierce in the 2000s, and the arrival of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen made the team extremely incredible, and the trio went on a run that saw them win an NBA championship in 2008. All three of them were extremely important to the Celtics but things didn’t always remain the same.
Allen pursued a move to the Miami Heat in the last few years of his NBA career, a team that had put together a superteam of their own. Allen’s decision to join the rival Heat was not received well by his Celtics teammates and he was repeatedly left out of events commemorating the team and it’s legacy on the franchise.
It seems bygones are truly bygones now, with Allen even receiving an invite to Garnett’s jersey retirement party. And speaking during the show, Ray mentioned that there’s no beef between the two either.
"There was never beef" – Ray Allen talks with @Scalabrine about Celtics Big 3 being on good terms ☘️ pic.twitter.com/mLP62H3jAC
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) March 14, 2022
“There was never beef. When I left I was so excited for my journey that I was on, but I’ve always loved these guys.”
Allen, Garnett and Pierce enjoyed a wholesome moment in the arena during the ceremony, engaging in a long group hug. Understandably, things had been a little tense up to that point but it seems like the players also got tired of holding on to beef that is already over 10 years ago.
Considering everything they achieved together, begrudging Allen a move to the team he helped win a championship with an extremely clutch shot has always seemed a bit harsh. The Celtics couldn’t quite get the win against the Mavericks to make it a perfect night in front of so many of the franchise’s legends but the signs are promising for the Celtics seen as they hope to replicate the success but also none of the toxicity that initially soured the relationship between the Big 3.
