BOSTON — Celtics coach Brad Stevens had a simple reply for what transpired Sunday at TD Garden, it was something he shared with his mostly young, rebuilding team.
“This town gets it,” Stevens said.
And because Boston gets it, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, on their first return as Nets, got a day filled with emotion and appreciation from a fan base and organization they captivated and served for so long. The Celtics lost, 85-79, — no surprise, they’re awful — but rarely has a game seemed so secondary.
After emotional introductions, fans started getting more of what they wanted. At 2:25 of the first quarter, the Celtics unveiled a video tribute to Garnett. Pierce got his at the end of the quarter.
“It was one of those moments every player would like to have at the end of their career or after their time with a team for a long time. I want that to be me one day,” said Brandon Bass.
Stevens, as he had promised Saturday, kept his huddles short so his players could watch the videos.
“Our younger players, all our players, everybody can learn something from those guys, any day of the week,” Stevens said.
As the videos played to a roaring, emotionally charged crowd, players had different reactions.
“It was well deserved,” said Rajon Rondo, the lone Celtic holdover from the 2008 NBA championship team with Pierce and Garnett. “Good memories, but I tried to stay focused and locked in. … For a little bit, you get caught up but for the most part we knew we had a job to do.”
Rondo in now the Celtic leader and at a dinner with his two former mates Saturday night, they talked to him about his role. But Rondo explained the chat was merely a continuation of what the two future Hall of Famers taught him as teammates.
“Things I learned from those guys,” Rondo said, “was just to continue to grow as a person and lead by example.”
So maybe he gets it too. Other Celtics sounded as if they did.
“The one thing about this city is they pay homage to people who’ve won championships. I thought it was a beautiful thing,” said second-year guy Jared Sullinger. “[Boston] fans are one of a kind. The history is one of a kind.”
Jeff Green concurred.
“This city appreciates people who give it their all and they are two people who gave it all for the Boston Celtics, won them a championship and really turned the organization around,” Green said.
So although it was a little weird seeing Pierce and Garnett in the visiting black over the home white, some things were very familiar. Like Garnett trash talking.
“It wouldn’t be a game if KG didn’t have any extra smack talking but it was to a minimum. He usually does more,” Bass said. “Especially when he was on this side.”