When the NBA schedule was released prior to the start of the season, everyone in Boston had Sunday, January 26th circled on their calendars.
There aren’t many games to mark down when your team is gearing up to be one of the worst in the league, but this night would mark the return of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Boston for the first time.
The former Celtics greats helped the Nets to win their 10th game in 11 tries, vaulting them back into playoff contention in the Eastern Conference. A Garnett steal from Rajon Rondo with 20 seconds to go and a breakaway layup would ice the game for the Nets.
In return to Boston, KG cinches win with steal, solo breakaway dunk. Tonight, Beats not necessary.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 27, 2014
Like so many times before, Pierce and Garnett would walk out of the TD Bank Garden victorious.
But this night was not about winning or losing as much is it was about a celebration of two of the all-time Celtics greats. Pierce and Garnett are living legends in Boston, and they were treated as such. A beautiful sight to see in an otherwise dull season in Boston.
If those standing ovations did not give you chills then you must be a Lakers fan. Even then, the tribute night to Pierce and Garnett in Boston should be celebrated by all fans of the game.
At the end of the KG tribute, the camera panned up to the two empty spaces on the retired jersey banner.
— Paul Flannery (@Pflanns) January 27, 2014
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that Garnett only spent six years with the Celtics, less than half of his Hall of Fame career. It would be easy to understand if any Timberwolves fans had mixed emotions watching that highly emotional tribute.
Former #Celtics center Kevin Garnett: this is the hardest game where I’ve had to focus. This was bigger than the Minnesota game.
Good win tonight and an awesome tribute to Paul and KG .. back to Brooklyn
— Mason Plumlee (@masonplumlee) January 27, 2014
Got chills watching the love and appreciation PP/ KG got from the Boston crowd.. — Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) January 27, 2014
Former #Celtics center Kevin Garnett: this is the hardest game where I’ve had to focus. This was bigger than the Minnesota game.
— Scott Souza (@scott_souza) January 27, 2014
That being said, the impact Garnett was able to make in such a storied franchise in such a short amount of time is truly amazing. But without further adiue, the tribute to Paul Pierce would not be out done. And something tells me that’s how it should be.
Fewer and fewer places in sports that you’ll see and hear what Boston fans and Paul Pierce shared in a long, loud ovation at the Garden now. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) January 27, 2014
I couldn’t help but think how strange it was to see 2 guys who were complicit in their exit from Boston get ovations. This city has changed. — Alex Raskin (@alexraskinNYC) January 27, 2014
Pierce said he was five seconds from shedding a tear #Nets — Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) January 27, 2014
Pierce: “This was the toughest game I ever had to play. Tougher than any championship game. So hard to focus…you get showered with love.” — Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 27, 2014
Thank you Boston for all the love u showed for me and KG you have provided me with so many memories I will always love u
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) January 27, 2014
Ben Baroff is a basketball journalist who blogs for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter here.