BOSTON - FEBRUARY 08: Paul Pierce #34 and Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics react after losing to the San Antonio Spurs on February 8, 2009 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Spurs defeated the Celtics 105-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
https://thecelticsjournal.com/
When the Boston Celtics parted ways with Kendrick Perkins in 2011, his teammates with him during the 2008 championship season did not take it well.
Perhaps no other team in Celtics history connected with the fanbase and had the success to go along with it as the 2008 squad did. Led by Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett, the Celtics went from one of the worst teams in the NBA to the champs in one year.
It’s difficult for fans to fall in love with a team with as much roster turnover as the 2008 team had, but Boston fell for them and they fell hard. One of the fan favorites of that team was Kendrick Perkins, the bruising defensive center starting next to Garnett in the frontcourt. Together, they anchored the best defense in the league that season.
MORE: Three adjustments the Celtics can make before Game 2
At least one more title was supposed to follow 2008, but injuries to Garnett in 2009 and Perkins in 2010 kept Boston from reaching the mountaintop again while their window was still open.
In 2011, Danny Ainge traded Perkins and Nate Robinson to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Jeff Green and Nenad Kristic. Perkins was due a contract extension the Celtics weren’t prepared to give him, so they opted for a younger wing in Green to add some athleticism and scoring to the Celtics.
The core of the team did not take it well though. On the latest episode of The Woj Pod, Perkins detailed how Pierce, Garnett, Rajon Rondo and Doc Rivers reacted to the news.
“I go to Doc’s room, me and him both cry like babies,” Perkins said. “Then I go to KG’s room, we cry like babies. I go to Paul’s room, we cry like babies. Rondo’s like, “F— this s–t, I’m retiring.’ I was like, ‘Nah, bro, you can’t do that.’ He’s like, “Nah, man, this is some bulls–t, man, they traded my best friend.’”
It just goes to show you how close that group was. Rondo was 25 years old, just entering his prime and the thought of playing without Perkins on his team drove him to think about retirement.
MORE: Celtics regular season awards
Perkins went on to play for three seasons with the Thunder before wrapping up his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jeff Green played about two-and-a-half seasons with the Celtics before he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for a first round pick Boston still has the rights to. It’s conceivable the pick could be used in an Anthony Davis trade.
First deposit only | 21+ & located in VA | Promo code as seen| A qualifying bet is $20 or more | Min odds of +120 or more | Free Bet Tokens credited after bet is settled and expire after 7 days | Free Bet stakes not included in winnings | Please Gamble Responsibly - Gambling Problem? VA: CALL 1-888-532-3500 | Full T&C apply
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.
