8-Year Anniversary of Garnett Trade to Celtics

         Eight years ago today, the Boston Celtics traded for Kevin Garnett, who played six seasons for the green and white. We knew Garnett was going to give Paul Pierce a desperately-needed star sidekick—The Truth’s best teammate for the first nine years of his career was Antoine Walker—but we had no idea just how quickly The Big Ticket would change the culture of the Celtics. Six playoff appearances, five Atlantic Division titles, three trips to the Eastern Conference Finals, two Finals appearances and an NBA championship (2008) highlighted Garnett's tenure in Boston. He won Defensive Player of the Year in his first season with the team, helping the Celtics capture their first championship in 22 years.

Kevin Garnett was the anchor of the Celtics' defense for six seasons. (Getty Images)

            The Celtics were unable to win another title mainly because of two cruel twists of fate. The Celtics began their title defense 27-2—an all-time record to start a season—but saw their title hopes dissolve when Garnett suffered a season-ending knee injury. The following year starting center Kendrick Perkins tore his ACL in Game 6 of the 2010 NBA Finals, a series the Celtics eventually lost in seven games to the Los Angeles Lakers. Boston got pounded on the glass in the infamous, gut-wrenching Game 7 four-point loss in Los Angeles. Even with some heartbreaking losses—including the defeat at the hands of the Miami Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals in 2012—Celtics fans can look back on the Garnett-era in Boston with nothing but smiles. Boston will always cherish the day the Celtics acquired Garnett.

You Got to Be Kidd-ing

Jason Kidd will no longer be on the Nets' sidelines... Is the former point guard headed to Milwaukee? (David Butler II USA TODAY Sports)

Jason Kidd is one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. Kidd, who ranks No. 2 on the league’s all-time assists list, is the best player to wear a Nets uniform since the franchise merged from the ABA to the NBA in 1976.

A former human highlight reel, Kidd reformed the culture of the hapless Nets in his playing days. The future Hall of Famer led the franchise to consecutive Finals appearances in 2002-2003.

Within weeks of calling it quits on his prolific 19-year career, Kidd was hired to coach the Brooklyn Nets (despite zero coaching experience) last summer on a four-year, $10.5 million contract.

The Nets entrusted Kidd to spearhead a roster with the highest payroll in NBA history – $100 million, plus $90 million more in luxury tax—that featured Hall of Famers’ Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, as well as All-Stars’ Deron Williams, Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson.  

The star-studded roster got off to an abysmal start to the season though, posting a 10-21 record as the 2013 calendar year commenced. Kidd and the Nets eventually turned things around, despite a season-ending foot injury to Lopez, registering 34 wins versus 17 losses to end the season with a 44-38 record.

Entering the postseason as the No. 6 seed in the historically weak Eastern Conference, the Nets were able to defeat the upstart Toronto Raptors in seven games, thanks to the clutch heroics of the age-defying Pierce.  With the series victory, the Nets advanced to the second-round for the first time since the franchise moved to Brooklyn. The team would go no further in the postseason, though, after being dispatched in five games in the Conference Semifinals by the Miami Heat.

The general consensus was that Kidd’s first season was mediocre. Sure, he made a brilliant decision to insert Shaun Livingston into the starting lineup following Lopez’s injury. This shifted Pierce into the power forward position and Garnett to center, creating a highly effective unit that created matchups nightmares for the opposition. In particular, teams struggled to guard Pierce, who used his speed (diminishing, albeit) to drive past the power forwards guarding him.

The lineup switch, however, was the lone adjustment Kidd successfully made. His coaching deficiencies were exposed in the series against Miami. The Nets collapsed down the stretch in Games 2, 4 and most notably Game 5 of the series. Erik Spoelstra coached circles around Kidd, who was unable to put his team in proper position to execute in late-game situations. Kidd’s out-of-timeout plays often resulted in one-on-one situations that Joe Johnson failed to deliver. 


A decent NBA coach would have at least pushed the Nets-Heat series to six games. A great coach may have helped the Nets push the Heat to seven games, or even win the series. But the Heat, coming off consecutive championships, exposed the Nets’ biggest flaw—the inexperienced Kidd.

Handed a win-now roster, Kidd failed to make the most off his team. Kidd never got the best out of point guard Deron Williams, who was a no-show in the 2014 playoffs. He barely let Garnett surpass the 20-minute mark in playing time throughout the postseason, despite management basically trading away the club’s future to acquire him and Pierce last offseason.

With just a year of head coaching under his belt, Kidd had the nerve to demand a promotion from ownership. In addition to coaching, Kidd wanted to become the overseer of basketball operations, placing him a title above current GM Billy King. The Nets’ ownership scoffed at Kidd’s ludicrous request, denying him the chance to supplant King.

The Nets did everything they could to keep Kidd happy this season, yet he still wanted more this offseason.

"Nothing was ever good enough for Jason," said one league source close to the situation, according to ESPN New York. "He always had to be appeased on personnel, and he would play Monday morning quarterback if it didn't work out. It was like a kid constantly asking for new toys to stay happy. ... If he doesn't get what he wants he sits in the corner and sucks his thumb and pouts until he gets it, and he doesn't care about the consequences."

The Nets appeased Kidd last offseason with the hire of Lawrence Frank as assistant head coach. King and owner Mikhail Prokhorov agreed to make Frank the league's highest-paid assistant, yet within weeks of the season were asked by Kidd to dump Frank. Kidd felt Frank overstepped his boundaries. He told management he would pay off the remainder of his Frank’s lucrative contract if the assistant was demoted. Kidd failed to deliver on that promise, forcing ownership to eat Frank’s contract before it was essentially even signed.

Turning a blind-eye on the soda-spilling incident (dubbed “sodagate”), the Nets’ brass was more than accommodating to Kidd. Yet Kidd could not how handle how former players’ Steve Kerr and Derek Fisher, neither of whom had any coaching experience, were handed hefty five-year, $25 million deals to coach the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks, respectively.

After seeing Kerr and Fisher get paid much more than he did, Kidd thought it was fair to ask for general management duties.

"He wanted it all," one league source said, according to ESPN New York.

Kidd’s aggressive plea infuriated the Nets’ ownership.

"The Russians are done with Kidd," one high-ranking league source told Yahoo Sports.

Following Kidd’s failed power play with the Nets, he asked for—and was granted—permission to interview with the Milwaukee Bucks.

New Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry is reportedly close with Kidd after stints as a Nets minority owner and as Kidd’s financial adviser. The Bucks currently have a head coach in Larry Drew and a GM in John Hammond. However, the Bucks ownership seems willing to give Kidd the power he is looking for (which all but spells the end for Drew and Hammond).

The Bucks have already begun discussing compensation with the Nets so that they can release Kidd of his current contract. It is expected that the Bucks will surrender multiple second-round draft picks to the Nets in exchange for Kidd.

Taking on the Bucks head coaching job seems like a steep challenge for Kidd. If he could not get the best of Williams, Johnson, Pierce and Garnett, how will he handle the mess that is the Bucks roster? Outside of first-round pick Jabari Parker and the “Greek Freek” Giannis Antetokounmpo, there is nothing appealing about the Bucks, who finished with a league-worst 15-67 a season ago.

There is speculation that Kidd may begin his Bucks’ tenure as just the GM/team president.

“I can see Jason waiting until the Bucks are good enough, and then coaching them," said a league source, according to ESPN New York.

The Bucks’ ownership is taking a severe risk if they decide to implement Kidd into general managing duties. The Nets took a gamble on Kidd and now look where they are—cap-strapped and facing the impending free agency of Pierce, the emotional leader of last year’s team.

Kidd left the Nets, a team that will in all likelihood reach the playoffs next season, after refusing to get his way. How long will it take for him to leave Milwaukee when his excessive demands are not met by the Bucks’ ownership? Time will only tell for Kidd, who has little chance of rebuilding the struggling Bucks franchise. 

Paul Pierce-led Nets pummel Timberwolves for franchise record-tying 13th straight home victory

Paul Pierce hits one of his five 3-pointers over Kevin Love. (Andrew Theodorakis/ NY Daily News)

Paul Pierce scored a game-high 22 points as the Brooklyn Nets thrashed the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-99 on Sunday night at Barclays Center for their franchise record-tying 13th straight home victory.

For the second consecutive game, Pierce had a flawless first quarter shooting performance. Pierce registered 16 points in the opening period, just two nights after recording 17 in the first quarter of the Nets’ victory over the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers. In his past two opening quarters combined, he is a perfect 10-for-10 from the field, including 8-for-8 from three-point territory, as well as 5-for-5 from the free throw line in 17 minutes played. This is the first time in Pierce’s storied career that he has totaled at least 16 points in back-to-back first quarters.

As Pierce continues to dominate, his confidence in his team’s ability to make some noise in the upcoming postseason has risen as well.

"Wherever we end up in the seedings, bring 'em on,” Pierce said.

Foul trouble limited Pierce to just 26 minutes of action, but the Nets were able to feed off his hot start with an all-around team effort.

Joe Johnson chipped in 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field, while Shaun Livingston and Mason Plumlee added 13 points apiece in the win. Plumlee continues to shine in the absence of Kevin Garnett, who has missed 16 straight games due to back spasms. Garnett is targeting Friday versus the Detroit Pistons for his return to the court. The Nets have won 12 of 16 with Garnett sidelined.

The Nets’ bench had another solid outing, outscoring the Wolves’ reserves 41-23. Andray Blatche led the Nets’ backups in scoring with 14, corralling six rebounds in the win. Alan Anderson drained three treys in a 13-point showing, adding five rebounds as well.

The Nets boast one of the deepest rosters in the league, a reason why the club was able to turn their season around after a dismal 10-21 start to the season.

"I think a lot of teams with bad character, bad leadership in the locker room would've laid down a long time ago. Probably by Christmas would've been making summer plans," Pierce said. "But not this group."

30 Greatest Celtics in Franchise History: 2013 Edition

HoopsHype.com is ranking the 50 greatest players in franchise history for all 30 NBA teams. They recently compiled their list for the Boston Celtics. Their version of the Top-50 Celtics of all-time can be found Here.  I have created a shortened list, the top-30 players in Celtics history, ranking the players on various qualities: stats, titles, importance and role on team, era played in, the teammates they got to play with, the amount of seasons played in Boston, among other franchise-defining qualities, etc. 

*All photos are courtesy of Getty Images.

*Statistics provided by HoopsHype.com and basketball-reference.com

30. Jim Loscutoff, 1955-1964: 6.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg - Seven NBA titles with Celtics.

29. Paul Silas, 1972-1976: 11.5 ppg, 12.3 rpg - Two NBA titles with Celtics.
28. Danny Ainge, 1981-1989: 11.3 ppg, 4.4 apg - Two NBA titles with Celtics.

27. Ed Macauley, 1950-1956: 17.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg.

26. Larry Siegfried, 1963-1970: 11.6 ppg, 3.3 apg - Five NBA titles with Celtics.

25. Don Nelson, 1965-1976: 11.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg - Five NBA titles with Celtics
24. Antoine Walker, 1996-2003 and 2005 (Traded for at deadline): 20.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 4.1 apg.

23. Tiny Archibald, 1978-1983: 12.5 ppg, 7.1 apg - One NBA title with Celtics.

22. Ray Allen, 2007-2012: 16.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.7 apg - One NBA title with Celtics.

21. Bailey Howell, 1966-1970: 18.0 ppg, 8.4 rpg - Two NBA titles with Celtics.

20. Reggie Lewis, 1987-1993: 17.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.6 apg.

19. Frank Ramsey, 1954-1964: 13.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg - Seven NBA titles with Celtics.

18. K.C. Jones, 1958-1967: 7.4 ppg, 4.3 apg, 3.5 rpg - Eight NBA titles with Celtics.

17. Cedric Maxwell, 1977-1985: 13.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.3 apg - Two NBA titles with Celtics.

16. Dennis Johnson, 1983-1990: 12.6 ppg, 6.4 apg, 3.2 rpg - Two NBA titles with Celtics.

15. Tom Sanders, 1960-1973: 9.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg - Eight NBA titles with Celtics

14. Rajon Rondo, 2006-present: 11.1 ppg, 8.3 apg, 4.5 rpg - One NBA title with Celtics.

13. Bill Sharman, 1951-1961: 18.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.0 apg - Four NBA titles with Celtics.

12. Tom Heinsohn, 1956-1965: 18.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg - Eight NBA titles with Celtics.

11. Jo Jo White, 1969-1979: 18.4 ppg, 5.1 apg, 4.3 rpg - Two NBA titles with Celtics.

10. Kevin Garnett, 2007-2013: 15.7 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.7 apg - One NBA title with Celtics.

9. Sam Jones, 1957-1969: 17.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg - 10 NBA titles with Celtics. 

8. Robert Parish, 1980-1994: 16.5 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 1.5 bpg - Three NBA titles with Celtics.

7. Dave Cowens, 1970-1980: 18.2 ppg, 14.0 rpg, 3.9 apg - Two NBA titles with Celtics.

6. Kevin McHale, 1980-1993: 17.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.7 bpg - Three NBA titles with Celtics

5. Bob Cousy, 1950-1963: 18.5 ppg, 7.6 apg, 5.2 rpg - Six NBA titles with Celtics

4. Paul Pierce, 1998-2013: 21.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.9 apg - One NBA title with Celtics.

3. John Havlicek, 1962-1978: 20.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.8 apg - Eight NBA titles with Celtics.

2. Larry Bird, 1979-1992: 24.3 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 6.3 apg, 1.7 spg - Three NBA titles with Celtics.

1. Bill Russell, 1956-1969: 15.1 ppg, 22.5 rpg, 4.3 apg - 11 NBA titles with Celtics.

Best Boston Athletes Since 1998: Ranking the Top 15 Boston Players in the Past 15 Years

Eight days ago at the Barclays Center, Paul Pierce donned non-Celtics apparel for the first time since being drafted with the 10^th overall pick in the 1998 draft.  The 35-year-old Celtics’ legend had previously expressed a desire to retire with the Boston Celtics after spending his entire career with the Green and White. Even at the press conference in Brooklyn, Pierce reiterated how he “would have loved to end his career in Boston”, but understood the business side of why the Celtics traded him as the franchise looks to rebuild with young talent. Until the blockbuster trade between the Brooklyn Nets and Celtics went through, Pierce had been the longest tenured athlete in Boston, dominating the parquet floor since 1998. In honor of THE TRUTH, here are the top 15 athletes to play in Beantown since he was drafted in 1998.

1. Tom Brady:

“Tom Terrific” is now the longest tenured athlete in Boston. Brady was drafted in the sixth round of the 2000 draft by the New England Patriots, but did not get the chance to showcase his talents until New York Jets linebacker Mo Lewis clobbered Drew Bledsoe in Week 2 of the 2001 season. Brady filled in for the injured Bledsoe in an unprecedented fashion, leading the Patriots to a Super Bowl Victory in 2001, where he orchestrated a game-winning drive that set up an Adam Vinateri field goal as time expired as the Pats shocked the St. Louis Rams (“Best Show on Turf) in of the greatest upsets in NFL playoff history.

                In 11 years under center for the New England Patriots, Tom Brady has led the Patriots to 10 playoff appearances, winning the AFC East crown in each of those seasons.  The two-time MVP has tossed 334 touchdown passes, fifth most in NFL history.

                Brady holds the record for most touchdown passes in a season, firing a whopping 50 in the 2007 season as he lead the Patriots to a perfect 16-0 regular season record, the only time in league history a team has won all 16 of its regular season contests. Tom Brady has an outstanding 136-39 record in the regular season, as he posts the best winning percentage (.777) in league history. Brady has thrown for 44,806 yards, ninth most in NFL history.

                Brady was the Super Bowl MVP for two of the three Patriots Super Bowl victories, orchestrating game-winning drives in the final minute in each of those games.  In his career, he has led the Pats to 26 fourth quarter comebacks and 37 game-winning drives, including the regular season and the playoffs.

                Brady was able to pass Joe Mantana for the most playoff wins by a starting quarterback in NFL history after beating the Houston Texans this past season in the 2012 AFC Divisional Round.

                Brady is arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history and quite possibly the greatest athlete in Boston sports history.

2. Paul Pierce:  

For more on one of the greatest players in Celtics/NBA history, hop HERE.

3. David Ortiz:

                 “Big Papi” signed with the Boston Red Sox in 2003 to be the club’s back-up first baseman. But Ortiz quickly became a starter and then a superstar (as a DH) in Boston, connecting on 31 home runs and driving  in 101 runs in his inaugural season with the Sox. The next season his numbers were even more remarkable, posting a .301 average with 41 home runs and 139 runs batted in. That postseason, he helped lead the Sox to their first World Series title in 86 years, coming up with game-winning hits in Game 4 and Game 5 of the 2004 ALCS versus the New York Yankees. For the postseason, he recorded a .400 average, smacked five home runs and knocked in 19 runs, en route to leading the Sox to the World Series title over the National League-Champion St. Louis Cardinals.

                 Ortiz was an instrumental part of the 2007 World Series Champion team as well, registering MVP-like numbers in the regular season---.332 average, 35 HR, 117 RBI---then following up with another outstanding postseason---.370 average, 3 HR, 10 RBI, helping the Red Sox earn their second title in four years. Ortiz continues to dominate at the plate for the Red Sox today even at 37 years old, hitting .324 with 19 home runs and 65 RBI in 82 games through July 24^th of the 2013 season.

4. Manny Ramirez:

                Manny was the best hitter on each of the past two title teams for the Red Sox, earning the World Series Most Valuable Player honor in 2004. Ramirez was traded to the Red Sox in the 2001 off-season and became the star-slugger on the team immediately, bashing 41 home runs with 125 RBI in his first season in Boston. Manny won the battle title in his second season in Boston with a .349 average in 2002 and was the runner-up the next season, getting beat out by .001 by teammate Bill Mueller, who recorded a .326 average.

                In 2004, Manny was the American League Home Run Champion after knocking 43 shots out of the park. Manny won a Silver Slugger Award in his first seven seasons (2001-2006) with the Red Sox. He was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on the trade-deadline day in 2008. Ramirez is undoubtedly the greatest right-handed hitter in Red Sox history.

5. Pedro Martinez:

                A year after winning the CY Young award with the Montreal Expos in 1997, Martinez was traded to Boston before the 1998 season, signing a six year, $75 million contract with the Red Sox before the year began. Martínez paid immediate dividends that season with a 19–7 record, finishing second in the American League in ERA, WHIP, strikeouts, and CY Young voting. In 1999, Martinez registered one of the greatest pitching seasons in the history of the MLB, earning the pitching triple-crown after finishing 23-4 with a 2.07 ERA and 313 strikeouts.  He came in second in the AL MVP ballot, losing out to Texas Rangers slugger Juan Gonzalez. During the 1999 season, he set the record for most consecutive innings pitched with a strikeout  with 40.

                Between August 1999 and April 2000, Martínez had ten consecutive starts with 10 or more strikeouts. Pedro became the 8th pitcher in league history to record a second-300 strikeout season, en route to winning his second consecutive Cy Young Award in 2000. Pedro won four American League ERA titles with the Red Sox (1999, 2000, 2002, 2003) and 3 American League strikeout titles in Boston (1999, 2002, 2003). He was the ace of the 2004 World Series-Champion Red Sox club. He signed with the New York Mets in 2005. Pedro is arguably the greatest pitcher in Red Sox history.

6. Richard Seymour:

                 After being drafted by the New England Patriots with the sixth overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft, Seymour signed a six-year, $14.3 million contract. The defensive tackle played in 13 games in his rookie season, starting 10 of them. He started for the Patriots at DT in the 2001 Super Bowl, earning a ring in the franchise’s first ever Super Bowl victory, beating the heavily favored St. Louis Rams.

                 Seymour started all 16 games in the 2002 season, collecting 5.5 sacks with an interception, earning his first Pro-Bowl selection.

                With the Patriots defense moving to a 3-4 in 2003, Seymour moved outside to defensive end in the defensive scheme. Seymour finished with a career-high eight sacks and 57 tackles in 15 games played, en route to his second-straight Pro-Bowl selection and his first All-Pro honor. Seymour, a team captain, led a dominant Patriots defense to their second championship in three years, defeating the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

                Seymour was voted to his third-straight Pro-Bowl and second-straight All-Pro honors in 2004.
                Seymour earned his third Super Bowl ring with the Patriots victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX.

                He was voted to the Pro-Bowl and All-Pro honors in 2005 and 2006 and was a member of the Patriots perfect 16-0 regular season in 2007. He was traded to the Oakland Raiders just days before the 2009 season. Seymour was named to the NFL 2000’s All-Decade Team, to the Patriots All-2000’s Team and the franchise’s 50 year anniversary team.

7. Kevin Garnett:

                “The Big Ticket” was able to change the culture in Boston after being traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Celtics in a blockbuster trade in the summer of 2007. The power-forward made his Boston debut against the Washington Wizards, scoring 22 points and corralling 20 rebounds in a blowout victory. He led all players in voting for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game, but was unable to play in the game due to abdominal strain.  That season he became the first Celtic ever to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. Garnett also finished third in MVP voting that season, averaging 18.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per contest, helping to lead the Celtics to an NBA-best 66-16 record.

                Garnett was the Celtics most consistent contributor in the Celtics’ in their 2008 playoff run, averaging 20.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per contest. He dominated Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol in the NBA Finals as the Celtics won their first title in 22 years.

                The following season Garnett and the Celtics appeared well on their way to winning a second consecutive title as the team held a league-best 44-11 record at the All-Star break. Then, tragedy struck the Celtics in the team’s first game post-All-Star break. In the second quarter of a game against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City, KG strained his right knee late in the second quarter going up for an alley-oop. He was forced to miss the next 14 games. Upon his return from the injury, he averaged 9 points and 4.5 rebounds in four games, before being shut down for the season permanently, missing the final 25 games of the regular season, including the 2009 NBA playoffs due to a right knee sprain as the Celtics lost to the Orlando Magic in seven games.

                Garnett was less than 100 percent seemingly for the duration of the 2009-2010 season, made evident by his low 14.3 ppg and rpg totals. But Garnett was healthy (or as healthy as he could be) by the time of the 2010 playoffs. Despite being the team’s third-best player (behind Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce), KG was still the catalyst of the Celtics’ defense that upset the top seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals and then beat the Magic in the Conference Finals. The Celtics lost in heartbreaking fashion in seven games to the Lakers in the Finals, with starting-center Kendrick Perkins injured for the series-deciding contest in Los Angeles.

                Two seasons later, Garnett had a resurgence in his game after being moved to the center position. Garnett and the Celtics made a miraculous run in the 2012 playoffs; falling a game short of reaching their third finals in five years. They lost in seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals to the detested Miami Heat. Had the Celtics won, it would have been one of the greatest upsets in NBA playoff history. Garnett turned back the clock that postseason, averaging 19.2 points and 10.3 rebounds per contest.

                Amid swirling trade rumors, Garnett (who had a no-trade clause) passionately uttered, “I bleed green, I die green” when pressed by reporters about accepting a deal to leave Boston during the 2012-2013 season.

                Garnett decided to agree to trade this off-season that sent him and good friend Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets after Celtics GM Danny Ainge made it clear to both All-Stars that the team had entered rebuilding mode.

                Garnett will forever be cherished in Boston for his pre-game routine, his passion of winning, and of course for bringing a basketball-title to Boston. Even though  he played his best 12 years of his career in Minnesota, Garnett will be forever be remembered as a Celtic, as his number will soon be retired with teammate Paul Pierce in the rafters in TD Garden in Boston alongside many Celtics’ legends.

8. Dustin Pedroia:

                For the first two months of the 2007 MLB season, Sox fans were outraged that then-manager Terry Francona was starting Dustin Pedroia, a rookie, over utility man Alex Cora. Pedroia hit under .200 for the first two months of the season…and then went on an incredible tear for the final four months of the year en route to being crowned the American League Rookie of the Year. Pedrioia finished the season with a .317 average and an OPS of .380. He was the No. 2 hitter in the 2007 World Series-Champion Red Sox lineup.

                Pedroia won another prestigious award the next season. He was named the American League MVP after leading the league in hits (213), doubles (54) and runs scored (118). Pedroia ended the season with a .326 average with 17 home runs, 83 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases. He also stole 20 bases in 21 attempts, leading the league in stolen base percentage (.952). Not only did Pedroia win the MVP award, he also captured the AL Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Award at second base.

                Outside of New York Yankees slugger Robinson Cano, Pedroia is the best second baseman in the MLB. As the face of the Red Sox franchise, he was handed a seven year, $100 million contract on July 23, 2013. With the Red Sox in first place (as of July 26, 2013), Pedroia is again a candidate for the American League MVP Honors.

9. Vince Wilfork:

                 After being drafted by the Patriots with the 21st overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Wilfork saw immense playing time as a rookie at the nose-tackle position. He compiled 42 tackles and a sack in first year in the NFL. He started Super Bowl XXXIX against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Patriots third title in four seasons.

                Wilfork made his first Pro-Bowl in 2007, a season in which the Patriots won all 16 of their regular season games. He has made the Pro Bowl in each of the past four seasons (2009-2012), earning first-team All-Pro honors this past season. He was named to the NFL’s Second-Team All-Pro in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011, a year that saw the Patriots reach the Super Bowl.

                In his nine-year career with the Patriots, Wilfork has recorded 460 tackles, 16.0 sacks, two interceptions, four forced fumbles and 10 fumbles recovered. He has been a captain on the Patriots since the 2008 season. He was named to the New England Patriots All-2000 Team and to the New England Patriots 50th Anniversary Team.

               

10.  Zdeno Chara:

                 Chara became a member of the Boston Bruins organization on July 1, 2006, when he signed a five-year, $37.5 million contract. He has been a team captain since his first season in Boston.

                Chara has made the All-Star game as a member of the Bruins five times (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012), with his most recent appearance being a captain of the team. He was named to the NHL-All-First-Team in 2009 and won the James Nooris Memorial Trophy in that same season. He had the best Plus-Minus (+33) of all players in the 2011 regular season and was a crucial part of the Bruins 2011 playoff run that ended with the team’s first title in 39 years.

11. Ty Law:

                Ty Law was drafted 23rd overall in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft by the Patriots.

                Law led the league in interceptions in 1998, the first time any New England Patriot had finished the season atop in that statistical category. He earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl that season and was given All-Pro honors that year.

                Law was a critical part of the Patriots’ defense in each of their three Super Bowl-winning teams (2001, 2003, 2004). In Super Bowl XXXVI (2001), Law put the Patriots on the scoreboard against the St. Louis Rams when he intercepted a Kurt Warner pass and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown.

                Law helped the Patriots form one of the greatest defenses in league history in 2003. The Patriots’ defense led the NFL in four key categories: opponents’ points per game (14.9), opponents’ passer rating (56.2), interceptions (29) and passing touchdowns surrendered (11). That postseason Law intercepted 3 passes thrown by Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning in the Patriots 24-14 win in the AFC Championship game. Law and the Patriots went on the Super Bowl that year and the season after in 2004.

                Following the 2004 season, Law was released by the Patriots because of his large-salary. He will go down as one of the greatest defensive backs of all time. He was named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, the New England Patriots All-1990s Team, the New England Patriots All-2000s Team and the New England Patriots 50th Anniversary Team.

12. Nomar Garciappara:

                Nomar, one of the most beloved players in Red Sox history, started his career off in style, winning the American League Rookie of the Year in a unanimous vote. That season, the Red Sox shortstop hit 30 home runs and drove in 98 runs, setting a new MLB record for RBI by a leadoff hitter and most homers by a rookie shortstop. Nomar also had a 30 game hitting streak that season, setting an American League rookie record.

                The following season Nomar was the runner-up for the American League MVP Award, finishing with a .323 average with 35 home runs and 122 RBI. Nomar led the league in batting average the next two seasons, hitting .357 in 1999 and .372 in 2000.

                A wrist injury limited Nomar to 21 games in the 2001 season. Nevertheless, Nomar came back strong the next season, batting .310 with a league- high 56 doubles to go along 24 home runs and 120 RBI in 2002.

                Nomar provided another solid season with the Red Sox in 2003, batting .301 with 28 home runs and 105 RBI. He finished second in the majors in triples, fifth in the AL in hits, and second in the AL in runs scored. However, Nomar was horrendous during the 2003 postseason that saw the Red Sox fall a game shy of the World Series as the Sox shortstop was unable to hit a home run in 12 playoffs games, contributing just one run batted in.

                That off-season the Red Sox attempted to trade Manny Ramirez for then-Texas Rangers shortstop Alex Rodriguez. Fortunately for the Red Sox, the MLB Players' Union objected to Rodriguez's willingness to sacrifice a huge amount of his $250 million contract to facilitate a deal to Boston, and the New York Yankees swooped in and signed Rodriguez. Nomar was frustrated that the Red Sox management wanted to replace him at shortstop and eventually became a distraction during the 2004 season.

                On the trade deadline day in 2004, Nomar was involved in a four-team deal that sent him and Matt Murton to the wild card leading Chicago Cubs. The Red Sox received Orlando Cabrera from the Montreal Expos and Doug Mientkiewicz from the Minnesota Twins; a trade that proved beneficial to the Red Sox as they captured their first title in 86 years. Although Nomar was not a part of the club when the team won the title, his former teammates voted to give him a World Series ring for his dedication as a member of the Red Sox for almost a decade.

13. Jason Varitek:

                The former Red Sox captain will go down as one of the greatest catchers in league history because of his ability to call a great game behind the plate and provide a steady bat. Varitek was traded to the Red Sox in the 1997 regular season in a package deal that also sent pitcher Derek Lowe to Boston, one of the greatest trades in Red Sox history.

                Varitek had his breakout season in 1998, hitting for a .269 average, with 20 home runs and 76 RBIs. In 2004, Varitek amassed a career-high .296 batting average with 18 home runs and 73 RBI.

                Following the 2004 season, Varitek signed a four year, $40 million contract with the Red Sox and was named the team captain, an honor he retained until retiring with the club after the 2011 season.

                In 2005, Varitek won his first Gold Glove Award, his first Silver Slugger, and his second All-Star selection.

                 Varitek caught the most no-hitters in Red Sox history, aiding no-no’s with Hideo Nomo in 2001, Derek Lowe in 2002, Clay Buchholz in 2007 and Jon Lester in 2008.

14. Patrice Bergeron:

                Bergeron has spent his entire career with the Boston Bruins after being selected with the 45^th overall pick in the 2003 NHL Draft.

                The Bruins captain is a member of the prestigious Triple Gold Club. He earned this honor by winning Olympic Games gold medals, (2005, 2010, and 2012) a World Championship gold medal (2004), and the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011.

                The Bruins re-signed Bergeron to an eight-year contract extension worth $52,000,000 on July 12, 2013.

15. Tim Thomas:

                Thomas became the Bruins starting goalie at age 32 in the 2007-2008 season. He emerged as one of the best goaltenders in the NHL despite his age, winning the Vezina Trophy in 2009 and 2011. Thomas carried the Bruins to the 2011 Stanley Cup Championship with his improbable goaltending in the playoffs. He became the oldest player in league history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy (MVP of the playoffs) at age 37.

                His tenure with the Bruins ended after he announced he would sit out the entire 2012-13 season.

Paul Pierce: A Legendary Celtic and The Truth

AP Image

Paul Pierce, The Truth, has been traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a blockbuster deal. There is no better time to reminisce his Boston career.

               Pierce is arguably the fourth greatest player in the famed history of the Boston Celtics. Only 11-time NBA champion Bill Russell, three-time NBA champion Larry Bird and franchise all-time leading scorer and eight-time champion John Havlicek had more accomplished careers with Boston than Pierce.

                Pierce played 15 years in Boston, leading the Celtics to the playoffs 10 times, reaching the Finals twice and winning the NBA Championship and Finals MVP in 2008. Pierce will be remembered as the greatest pure scorer in Celtics history. He accumulated the second-most points in franchise history (20^th in NBA History as of now) with 24,021 points, trailing only Havlicek, who spent 16 seasons with the Celtics. Pierce averaged the second-most points in franchise history, registering 21.8 points per game, behind Bird, who totaled 24.3 points per contest. Pierce ranks 9th in NBA history for points scored with one franchise.

                Pierce holds the franchise record in steals, three-pointers made (5^th all-time in NBA history as of now) and free throws made (10^th all-time in NBA history as of now). Pierce also ranks 3rd in games played, 3rd in minutes, 4th in assists, 7th in rebounds and 4th in blocks in franchise history.

                But Pierce will not just be remembered because he re-wrote the record books in the renowned history of the Celtics. He will be known for being the most loyal player of his time, remaining with one franchise for a decade and a half in an era "where players change teams as often as they change socks,” to quote former Celtics head coach Doc Rivers.

                Pierce did not bolt to another team in the tough times, like LeBron James resorted to doing by joining the Miami Heat. He did not demand a trade when the future of the team looked murky, like Kobe Bryant and so many other star players of this era did. Pierce never attempted to force a trade (like Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard succumbed to doing). Instead, he trusted the management and owners to put the proper pieces around him necessary to win a title. Following the dismal 2006-2007 season that included a team-worst 18-game losing streak, Pierce was pressed on whether he should command to be moved to a contender. 

                “I thought about it. I really did," Pierce admitted. “Told my family that I was thinking about asking to be traded. But something just pulled at me, told me to stick around.”

                In the summer of 2007, Danny Ainge rewarded Pierce's loyalty with the acquisitions of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.

                A starting lineup of Pierce, Garnett, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins and Allen won 66 games in the regular season. Alas, the Celtics needed the heroics of Pierce to win the title.

                In a Game 7 battle for the ages, Pierce outdueled LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals at the TD Garden, scoring 41 points in the series-deciding contest.

                In the Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons, Pierce was able to score 11 of his 27 points in the 4th quarter of the series-clinching Game 6, leading the Celtics to their first trip to the Finals since 1987.

                The Celtics faced off against their longtime rivals in the Finals, but the Los Angeles Lakers were no match for the Green and White. Despite spraining his MCL in Game 1 of the series, Pierce managed to outshine Bryant in the Finals. Pierce earned the Finals MVP award, posting 21.8 points, 6.3 assists and 4.5 rebounds in the series.

                Pierce finally won the championship ring he coveted for so long, helping him stand parallel to the Celtics legends.

Paul Piece holding the Finals MVP trophy in 2008, moments after winning the title. (AP)

                 The Celtics had no championship hangover for the 2008-2009 season. Boston started the season off 27-2 (best start in NBA history) and looked unstoppable in the process. Heartbreak struck in February of 2009 in Utah as Garnett hit the floor with a knee injury, forcing him into season-ending surgery months later. The Celtics still fought hard that postseason without Garnett and made it to the Conference Semifinals, before losing to the Orlando Magic in seven games. Had Garnett remained healthy, the Celtics would have almost certainly made it to the Finals against the Lakers for a championship rematch. It should be noted that the Lakers would have been the clear cut favorites in the series, even had the Celtics retained their health that year. The real shame, though, in Garnett getting hurt is that it robbed the Celtics of a true chance to defend their title.

              Garnett hobbled his way through the duration of the 2009-2010 regular season as the Celtics stumbled into the playoffs as the fourth seed. But the Celtics were able to upset the Cavaliers (forcing James to depart to South Beach) in the Conference Semifinals and then defeated the Magic in six games in the Conference Finals. 

                The Celtics led the Lakers 3-2 in the 2010 NBA Finals, before starting center Perkins tore his ACL in Game 6 of the Celtics' blowout loss in Los Angeles. The Celtics lost a hard fought battle in Game 7, 83-79, as the team got pounded on the glass, getting out-rebounded 53-40. If Perkins were healthy for that game, the Celtics rebounding issues would not have been as severe and the Celtics would have been in prime position to snatch the game and the title.

                Pierce will beloved in Boston forever after restoring the glory of the franchise by capture the 2008 NBA title. Pierce probably should have won two titles had it not been for unprecedented bad luck in 2010. But luck is a part of sports sometimes, and the Celtics unfortunately ran into consecutive years of cruel misfortune with the injuries to Garnett in '09 and Perkins in 2010.
               Regardless of the amount of rings Pierce won in Boston, he will always be treasured for his loyalty, his passion and his ability reestablish Boston as a basketball-first city.

                The future Hall of Famer had so many great moments that I have yet to mention, so let’s go through some of his his career bests:

  2002 Regular Season Contest Versus Nets (in New Jersey)

                Pierce went 1-for-16 shooting with just two points in the first half, before becoming unstoppable in the second half and overtime. He scored 46 points after intermission to guide the Celtics to an overtime victory.

                2002 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS GAME 5: 76ers at Celtics

                In the deciding game of the opening round, Pierce lit up the Philadelphia 76ers for a  playoff career-high 46 points, including going 8-10 from three-point range. The Celtics advanced to the Conference Semifinals after throttling the 76ers by 33 points.

                2002 EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS GAME 3: Nets at Celtics

                The Boston Celtics entered the fourth quarter of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals down 74-53 to the New Jersey Nets in front of their home crowd.

                Pierce cemented himself as a Celtic legend in this incredulous comeback, scoring 19 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter  (connecting on six layups in the final frame) as the Celtics rallied from what was a 27 point deficit in the third quarter to win and complete the greatest comeback in NBA playoff history.

                2003 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS GAME 4: Pacers at Celtics

                Pierce had the Garden unconscious, scoring 32 of his 37 points in the second half. He set a a Celtics franchise record that day for most points in one half in a playoff game. The most memorable sequence of the game came when Pierce trashed talked Al Harrington with the ball in his hands for most of the shot clock before draining the three-pointer.

                2006 Regular Season Game Versus Cleveland Cavaliers

                Paul Pierce was awe-inspiring on this night in a clash with LeBron. Pierce scored a career-high 50 points, the most ever totaled in the TD Garden (circa 1995). The Cavs, however, won the game.

                2008 EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS GAME 7: Cavs at Celtics

                As previously noted, this was a shootout for the ages between Pierce and James. It drew comparisons to the 1988 battle between Bird and Dominique Wilkins. Pierce hit clutch shot after clutch shot as he registered 41 points to put away the Cavs and save the Celtics season.

                2008 NBA FINALS GAME 1: Lakers at Celtics

                After landing awkwardly on his leg (he sprained his MCL) after a made basket by Bryant in the third quarter, Pierce had to be carted off on the court in a wheel chair. He returned minutes later and proceeded to knock down three 3’s as part of a 15 point quarter for the Truth. The Celtics won Game 1 behind the efforts of Pierce, 105-98.

                2008 NBA FINALS GAME 4: Celtics at Lakers

                The Lakers entered Game 4 (trailing 2-1) with an extreme sense of urgency and pounded the C’s in the first quarter, jumping out to a 35-14 lead, the largest first-quarter lead in NBA Finals history.  The Celtics appeared doomed as they trailed by 18 points at halftime. By the midway point of the third quarter, the Lakers had increased their lead to 24 over the Celtics.

                The Celtics stormed back as Pierce posted a game-high 20 points to spearhead the Celtics to the victory, the largest comeback in Finals history since 1971.

     2008 NBA FINALS GAME 6: Lakers at Celtics: BANNER 17

                As previously noted, Pierce won Finals MVP after the Celtics obliterated the Lakers, 132-93  to win their 17^th title in franchise history.

2009 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS GAME 5: Bulls at Celtics

                In a key game in one of the best series of all time between the Chicago Bulls and Celtics, Pierce stayed true to his flair for the dramatic by knocking down a jumper with three seconds remaining in overtime over John Salmons that helped the Celtics win a pivotal Game 5. The Celtics closed out the Bulls in seven games.

                2010 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Game 3: Celtics at Heat

                Paul Pierce ended any chance of a long series between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat, knocking down a buzzer-beater in Game 3 in South Beach to silence an already quiet crowd. Dwayne Wade was spotted crying in soft tears on the bench after fouling out. The Celtics won the series in five games, forcing Wade to beg LeBron to join forces in Miami.

                2010 NBA FINALS GAME 5: Lakers at Celtics

                Pierce racked up a game-high 27 points as the Celtics defeated the Lakers 92-86 to take a 3-2 series lead, before losing in devastating fashion in seven games.

                2012 Regular Season Contest Versus Charlotte Bobcats

                Pierce passed Bird to move into second place on the franchise's list of all-time leading scorers in a 94-84 win over the Charlotte Bobcats at TD Garden on February 8, 2012. Pierce buried a 3-pointer from the right wing with 10:23 to play in the third quarter to move past Bird. Surpassing Bird in points scored helped remind fans just how legendary Pierce was for Boston.

                2012 EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS GAME 5- Celtics at Heat

                Pierce drained a three-point dagger over James to seal the victory for the Celtics. The shot is now being referred to as “The Last Shot” as this became the final memorable playoff moment for Pierce as a member of the Boston Celtics. This was a cold-blooded shot right in LeBron's mouth.