Where do you rank KG on Celtics’ BEST (peak on-court value as a Celtic, NOT greatness/accolades) players all-time?
December 12, 2024
Where do you rank KG on Celtics’ BEST (peak on-court value as a Celtic, NOT greatness/accolades) players all-time?
19 comments
The Celtics unfortunately never had him at his peak. I would put him as the 3rd or 4th Best Celtic of all time. He’s behind Russel and Bird at least. I’ll hear you out on Cousy and Pierce.
The heart and soul, and true muse, of Uncut Gems
While he was still top shelf, he deferred a lot to ray and pierce (as well as others) so his stats might not reflect his real Impact. But his addition changed the entire vibe of the organization during his tenure. He was the top dog in that respect. Everyone, from players to coaches to staff followed his lead…which makes him one of the top Celtics from my POV.
Everyone loves psycho Joe, but KG was that long before, and he was already an established star and future HOFer. Everyone else got in line.
Edit: also, his injury single handily cost us multiple championships during that era.
KG was still in his prime in his first season with the Celtics. That version Is probably the second most impactful player behind bird. That knee injury in 09 robbed the last few years of his prime.
So 9? Jaylen coming up soon. Tommy right there also. Really wouldn’t be too upset to put KG anywhere from 7-13.
Relative to era, he’s only really behind Bird, Russell, and Cousy for sure. He’s up there with Pierce, Hondo, McHale, and Tatum IMO.
Saw a few games down at loge level during the ’08 run and the sheer power of KG on that court would change entire games. Also, watching him headbutt the post padding before every game as part of his warmup was just awesome.
On-court value it’s 1. Russell 2. Bird 3. Garnett
2008 KG is Top 3 with mid-80s Bird and 2024 Tatum.
Not joking.
I see the game as constantly evolving. Athletes continually getting better. Those are likely the 3 best players to suit up for the team.
Obviously there are players with greater Celtic resumes and accolades, but you’re correct in seeing that as a separate conversation from “best player”
He was 3rd in MVP voting in 2008 for some perspective
Russell, Bird, and Hondo are ahead of him. I think he’s in a tier with Cowens and Tatum. Guys who are clearly top 5 players but also not being argued for #1 in the league
Below Russell and Bird obviously.
Id put him below Hondo, Cowens, probably McHale and Pierce, maybe cousy and Sam Jones depending on how you view the era.
And then that leaves the Jays. I think they both have to go over him. They are around that McHale Pierce area of “probably”, but 08 KG was a monster on defense so I wouldn’t be offended, and could probably be swayed, if someone tried to argue otherwise.
Lastly you have the guys that are below, but still really good like dj, parish, and ray allen.
Tough call… a top 5 player in the league at the time willing to come to Boston which was historically a difficult pull. Change the trajectory of the org…would have been a dynasty if he didn’t get hurt….
He’s my fav ever,love you big ticket
In the top 20
Neck and neck with bird and Russell (idk how you classify him because of how different the league was).
He was the best player in the league at the time. Bron and him were in that convo with Kobe and Duncan.
And back then the league was stacked. It’s not like the 2028 NBA where Tatum will be the best player in the league by default because shai and Luka suck (but are his only competition once Giannis, Jokic, embiid age out).
No disrespect to Tatum or pierce but KG is simply a different caliber of player and will probably be the best Celtic ever (off of peak) for guys who weren’t around for the 80s.
Unfortunately we only had him for a few years, he’s amazing but only got one chip. I reckon, though he is amazing and I love him, he is on the second tier with Pierce and Ray Allen below all the Celtics greats that we know and love with multiple rings. Celtics HoF?? Yes of course and well deserved but just not the upper echelon of Celtic greats. IMO
I love pierce but it’s crazy to say he is better than KG
If I could add one former Celtic to the current team it would be 08 KG
19 comments
The Celtics unfortunately never had him at his peak. I would put him as the 3rd or 4th Best Celtic of all time. He’s behind Russel and Bird at least. I’ll hear you out on Cousy and Pierce.
The heart and soul, and true muse, of Uncut Gems
While he was still top shelf, he deferred a lot to ray and pierce (as well as others) so his stats might not reflect his real Impact. But his addition changed the entire vibe of the organization during his tenure. He was the top dog in that respect. Everyone, from players to coaches to staff followed his lead…which makes him one of the top Celtics from my POV.
Everyone loves psycho Joe, but KG was that long before, and he was already an established star and future HOFer. Everyone else got in line.
Edit: also, his injury single handily cost us multiple championships during that era.
KG was still in his prime in his first season with the Celtics. That version Is probably the second most impactful player behind bird. That knee injury in 09 robbed the last few years of his prime.
Behind Bird, Russell, Cousy, Havlicek, Tatum, Pierce, McHale, Parish.
So 9? Jaylen coming up soon. Tommy right there also. Really wouldn’t be too upset to put KG anywhere from 7-13.
Relative to era, he’s only really behind Bird, Russell, and Cousy for sure. He’s up there with Pierce, Hondo, McHale, and Tatum IMO.
Saw a few games down at loge level during the ’08 run and the sheer power of KG on that court would change entire games. Also, watching him headbutt the post padding before every game as part of his warmup was just awesome.
On-court value it’s
1. Russell
2. Bird
3. Garnett
2008 KG is Top 3 with mid-80s Bird and 2024 Tatum.
Not joking.
I see the game as constantly evolving. Athletes continually getting better. Those are likely the 3 best players to suit up for the team.
Obviously there are players with greater Celtic resumes and accolades, but you’re correct in seeing that as a separate conversation from “best player”
He was 3rd in MVP voting in 2008 for some perspective
Russell, Bird, and Hondo are ahead of him. I think he’s in a tier with Cowens and Tatum. Guys who are clearly top 5 players but also not being argued for #1 in the league
Below Russell and Bird obviously.
Id put him below Hondo, Cowens, probably McHale and Pierce, maybe cousy and Sam Jones depending on how you view the era.
And then that leaves the Jays. I think they both have to go over him. They are around that McHale Pierce area of “probably”, but 08 KG was a monster on defense so I wouldn’t be offended, and could probably be swayed, if someone tried to argue otherwise.
Lastly you have the guys that are below, but still really good like dj, parish, and ray allen.
Tough call… a top 5 player in the league at the time willing to come to Boston which was historically a difficult pull. Change the trajectory of the org…would have been a dynasty if he didn’t get hurt….
He’s my fav ever,love you big ticket
In the top 20
Neck and neck with bird and Russell (idk how you classify him because of how different the league was).
He was the best player in the league at the time. Bron and him were in that convo with Kobe and Duncan.
And back then the league was stacked. It’s not like the 2028 NBA where Tatum will be the best player in the league by default because shai and Luka suck (but are his only competition once Giannis, Jokic, embiid age out).
No disrespect to Tatum or pierce but KG is simply a different caliber of player and will probably be the best Celtic ever (off of peak) for guys who weren’t around for the 80s.
Unfortunately we only had him for a few years, he’s amazing but only got one chip. I reckon, though he is amazing and I love him, he is on the second tier with Pierce and Ray Allen below all the Celtics greats that we know and love with multiple rings. Celtics HoF?? Yes of course and well deserved but just not the upper echelon of Celtic greats. IMO
I love pierce but it’s crazy to say he is better than KG
If I could add one former Celtic to the current team it would be 08 KG
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