I agree with that. We don't have to retire ray or rondo or perk. It does depend on what you define as someone deserving of being in the rafters. I think KG deserves that. If parish does why not KG? It needs to be defined in ways who does and who doesn't. Most guys up there are career celtics and the nba is different now. I think those standards should still stand in ways though.
KG redefined what it is to be a celtic deserving who belongs in the rafters in ways. Bill walton isn't up there though.
Maybe that needs to be redefined in KG's situation. He was really the face of that team that won in 08 even over pierce. Getting KG was what that was all about.
Parish played for the Celtics for 14 seasons, winning 3 titles. The rest of his career he played 7 seasons, starting 41 games.
Kevin Garnett played for the Celtics for 6 years, won 1 title, and the rest of his career he played for 16 seasons including 14 with the Timberwolves where he won an MVP award and started over 930 games.
This is why KG is different from Parish. I go back and forth on whether or not he should be retired largely based on the history of the Celtics. This franchise is the greatest franchise in the NBA. Is winning 1 title enough to put two numbers in the rafters? Does rescuing the franchise from a 22 year spell of mediocrity grant that title more significance?
You dont want to be a prisoner of the moment. KG is one of the most important Celtics since Larry Bird retired, but does his impact and resume matchup when you stretch your memory back a few more decades.
Ultimately, as a 20 year old, who has no real right to comment on the history of the Celtics, I say we should find a way to get him in the rafters one way or another.
Not only did he rescue us from the throes of mediocrity and completely change the culture and mindset of the team, leading us to a championship and on many amazing runs, but his intensity and heart and old school mentality to me are symbols of everything you want in a Celtic. If the letters "KG" are put in the rafters, I think it would be appropriate. When the Jaylen Browns and Harry Giles's of the world walk into the Garden I want them to look up in the rafters and see those letters and understand what how much this city and organization values the the things those two letters bring to mind.
When I think of KG I think of him diving on the floor for balls, smacking his head, pounding his own chest and talking himself to a mad man, I think of the emotion he showed after winning a title.
I want every player we bring in, to be reminded of those things the first time they step in the garden.