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Garnett Re-Signs With Celtics NBA, Team News / Analysis, Player News / Analysis, Boston Celtics, Kevin GarnettCeltics Bring Back Garnett, Likely For Remainder Of His CareerYesterday in NBA | Matthew_Shovlin | 135 respect
The Boston Celtics have signed future Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett to a 3 year $34 million deal. The length of the deal is interesting, considering that it will keep him with the team through his age-38 season, which will be his 20th season in the NBA. I wouldn't imagine him signing another deal, with the Celtics or anyone else, once this contract is up.It may seem like a lot of money to be paying a guy down the final stretch of his career, but he's worth every single penny. Garnett may not put up numbers like he used to, but he's the defensive centerpiece and emotional leader of the team. Also, his perimeter jump shot looks as good as ever and he spreads the floor by pulling big men out of the paint.
Even his numbers, which had been declining, saw in increase last year. His points (15.8) and blocked shots (1.0) were his best since the 2008-09 season, and his assists were his best since 2007-08. In addition, he's still shooting over 50% from the field.
Not only will he be essential to the Celtics' success for the next three years, but he'll be able to positively impact the team past that point. The Celtics just drafted two big men, Jared Sullinger and Fab Melo. Garnett has one of the smartest basketball minds whenever he's on the court, and he'll have a great deal to teach these two guys. He'll be able to teach Sullinger some little things to fix about his offensive moves to adjust and become an effective NBA scorer. I thought that Sullinger started playing too finesse when he faced big physical defenders in college, and Garnett certainly knows a thing or two about handling physical defense.
I projected Fab Melo to be drafted by the Celtics just for this reason: he is a raw but incredibly talented defensive prospect that could eventually take over as the core of Boston's defense when Garnett retires. With Garnett mentoring Melo, Melo might be able to become that Tyson Chandler defensive floor general (sort of like a middle linebacker of basketball) that I predicted he would become. If Garnett could also teach Melo some post moves, Melo may become one of the better centers in the NBA.
As a Knicks' fan, I don't want to have to deal with Garnett on the Celtics for three more years, but I have to admit it was a great move to get him back for that long and that he'll be worth every penny of his deal while he's playing, and beyond.
