You couldn’t fake them” – How Larry Bird’s message helped Kevin Garnett become a Boston Celtics legend
Garnett always took note of Bird’s comments about Boston Celtics fans.
After a 12-season tenure with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kevin Garnett made a pivotal decision to join the Boston Celtics to put himself in the best position to win a championship. Transitioning into one of the most storied franchises, where even the most elite talents had come up short, ‘The Big Ticket’ knew it was going to be hard. However, he carried Larry Bird’s message in his heart since day one.
Garnett on Bird’s message about Celtics fans
Though the Celtics fans were known to wear their hearts out on their sleeves, Bird was a rare individual who not only fulfilled the lofty expectations but also won over the passionate fanbase with his unwavering commitment and intensity.
Like Larry Legend, even KG never lacked the intensity and left his best mark with the Celtics organization. He fondly recalled the three-time MVP’s comments about the Celtics fans and how they can never be deceived.
I heard Larry Bird say one time in his early years in Boston that the reason why he loved playing in front of the fans in Boston is because you couldn’t fake them,” Garnett said
You couldn’t fool the fans. They knew when you was playing hard, and they knew when you were giving your all. They have a sense of basketball history and they have high basketball IQs. They cared, and I never forgot that.”
KG emulated Larry Bird in other aspects as well
Despite grappling with lower back injuries during his latter years, the Indiana native refused to yield and played 180 games over his last three seasons, earning All-Star selections simply because he was determined to showcase to both the fans and the organization that he would overcome every obstacle to take the court. Similarly, Garnett harbored the same aspirations of the two-time Finals MVP.
I wanted to be able to show people that I can play through injury,” Garnett added. “I wanted to show them, plus teammates and coaching staff… I wanted them to see that I can play through damn near anything, that I was mentally strong.”
Despite his relatively brief stint of six seasons in Boston, a mere fraction of Larry Legend’s tenure, KG meticulously carved out his legacy as a true icon for the franchise. Having followed the right path, today, KG’s jersey hangs in the rafters among the greatest players to have represented the franchise.
