Almost 7 years ago (an eternity!), when the Boston Celtics were knocked out of the playoffs by the Miami Heat after a thrilling Eastern Conference final, we felt that we had just seen the last last stand of the Big 3. A few weeks later, Ray Allen actually decided to leave Beantown to join the Florida enemy and, from now on, they are Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and even Doc Rivers who are preparing to continue their career for another franchise.
For nostalgics and history buffs, we therefore once again invite you to relive the most significant moments of the Big 3 adventure.
There it’s finished, as Jean-Louis would say. By falling with honors against the Heat in the conference final (3-4), Boston has undoubtedly turned the page last week of a glorious epic, that of its “Big Three” become “Big Four” with the spectacular outbreak of Rondo region. Unless Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen decide to stack up again this summer, we will no longer see No. 34, No. 20 and No. 5 scrapping together on the TD Garden floor.
The end of five intense seasons (like a freak out from KG), rich in records and epic duels. Facing the Lakers Kobeof course, against whom the C’s pocketed their 17th title in 2008, but also against the rivals of the East, the Cavs de LeBronthe Bulls of D-Rosethe Magic de D12the Knicks de Melo and the LBJ Heat and D-Wade.
2007-2008 (66-16, 1st in the East): NBA champions, victory against the Lakers (4-2).
2008-2009 (62-20, 2nd East): defeat in the semi-final against Orlando (3-4).
2009-2010 (50-32, 4th East): defeat in the Final against the Lakers (3-4).
2010-2011 (56-26, 3rd East): defeat in the semi-final against Miami (1-4).
2011-2012 (39-27, 4th in the East): defeat in the final of conf ‘against Miami (3-4).
And now, 10 highlights from the “Big 3 Era”.
NOVEMBER 2, 2007: PREMIERE AT TD GARDEN
Danny Ainge had a hot hand during the summer of 2007. On November 2, against Washington, his “Big Three” 2.0 made a thunderous debut against the Wizards of Arenas (103-83), honoring the original Big Three – Larry Bird, Robert Parish & Kevin McHale, winner of the club’s last three titles (1981, 1984 and 1986). Pierce (28 pts) is in heaven after years of scarcity, Allen (17 pts) drops a 2/5 behind the arc, and KG hits hard for his first (22 pts, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks, 3 steals), becoming the 4th player in history to pull out a 20-20-5 minimum on the day of his baptism of fire with a new club, after Maurice Stokes (Cincinnati, 1955), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lakers, 1975) et Charles Barkley (Phoenix, 1992 – 37-21-8). Add a timid 15 points – 2 assists for the youngster Rondo region and you get a very solid first success. The TD (Banknorth) Garden lives again.
JUNE 17, 2008: THE 17TH RING
Finals 2008, game 6. After 22 long years without a title, the Larry O’Brien trophy turns green again on June 17, after a one-way match (131-92) in front of the. In their lair, the C’s took off in the 2nd quarter, won 34-15, building the biggest gap (+39) in a decisive match since the Lakers’ success over… Boston during the 1965 Finals (game 5, 129-96, +33). It is also the 2nd biggest success in Finals history, after the 96-54 Bulls against Jazz (1998). Under the eyes of Bill Russell and John Havlicekin particular, the Celtics won their 17th title there, paying a fine tribute to the legendary Red Auerbachwho died in 2006.
OCTOBER 28, 2008: PARTY DAY
After parading in the streets of Beantownthe C’s receive their trophy from the hands of David Star on October 28, 2008, before the start of the season. A very strong moment for Captain Paul Pierce, on the verge of tears. And one more “World Champions” banner on the ceiling. To celebrate, the Celtics beat the Cavaliers (90-85) of a certain LeBron James. “The Truth”, MVP of the previous Finals, scores 27 points, becoming the 5th best scorer in club history (16,972 pts, against 16,955 at Bob Cousy).
APRIL 2009: FIRST ROUND OF MADNESS AGAINST THE BULLS
The lucky ones who were able to attend this series are probably still dreaming of it… Because the first round of the 2009 playoffs between the Celtics and the Bulls will undoubtedly remain one of the most beautiful oppositions in history (for an insane summary , it is here) of the playoffs. In the end, victory 4-3 for Boston (deprived of KG), with a record of 7 extensions in total (including 3 in game 6!), and clutch baskets in shambles. We note in particular the game-winner of Ray Allen in game 2, despite the fierce defense of Joakim Noah. Allen who will score 51 points in game 6, won by… Chicago. Insane, we tell you!
JUNE 17, 2010: REVENGE OF THE LAKERS
Le “swish” du three point shoot Ron Artest at 1:01 the siren is still ringing in the heads of Boston fans. On the Staples Center floor, the Lakers won Game 7 of the 2010 Finals (83-79), after counting up to 13 points behind. The Kobe Bryant duo (23 pts at 6/24, 15 rebounds) – Pau Gasol (19 pts – 18 boards) got the better of the Pierce – Allen – Garnett trio (48 pts in total), and LA won its 16th title. A painful memory for the C’s, who led 3-2 after their success in game 5 four days earlier at TD Garden…
FEBRUARY 10, 2011: RAY ALLEN’S RECORD
Under the eyes of his mother, in a boiling hot TD Garden, Ray Allen breaks the record to three points from Reggie Miller, who comments on this Celtics-Lakers for TNT. 2,561 award-winning shots for the C’s shooting guard (2,718 to date), one unit more than the 2,560 of the old Indiana trigger. RayRay’s first three-pointer in the NBA dates back to November 1, 1996. The last in the C’s jersey is probably that one.
FEBRUARY 20, 2011: FOUR CELTICS AT ALL-STAR GAME 2011
As Kobe wins “son” All Star Game at the Staples Center, the “Big Four” of Boston (Allen, Pierce, KG and Rondo) take part in the celebration, under the orders of… Doc Rivers, coach of the East selection. The quartet came off the bench in the first quarter, joining Dwight Howard on the floor. Garnett signs his 14th consecutive appearance in an ASG, equaling the record of jerry west, Shaquille O’Neal and Karl Malone. The moment echoes the presence at the 2006 ASG of four Pistons (the “brothers” Wallace, Billups and RIP).
APRIL 22, 2011: DEMONSTRATION AT THE GARDEN
For their big return to the Garden in the playoffs, the Knicks are shattered (96-113) against the Boston snipers in game 3 of the first round: 38 points for Pierce, 32 – 8/11 three-pointer – for Ray Allen, a triple-double for Rondo (15 points – 11 rebounds – 20 assists). This match, even if it is quite unbalanced given the absences on the NY side, perfectly sums up the quality of play offered by Doc Rivers’ C’s in recent seasons: 14/24 behind the arc (58.3%), 31 assists and a muffled opposing franchise player (Melo at 4/16). At the Garden, it looks great.
FEBRUARY 7, 2012: PIERCE PASSES LARRY LEGEND
He needed 10 points, Paul Pierce had 15 to pass Larry Bird in Boston’s all-time scoring charts, the February 7, against Charlotte. Boston icon of the 2000s, The Truth is now “only” ahead of the legendary John Havlicek (26,395 pts). As with Allen’s three-point record, it was on an assist from Rajon Rondo that Pierce made history, with a prize-winning shot over Boris Diaw.
JUNE 10, 2012: THE DER AGAINST MIAMI
On the floor of the American Airlines Arena, the Big 3 of Miami dominates that of Boston, and the Heat wins in extremis (4-3) a conference final that many thought was more unbalanced. 4th in the East, the Celtics thus complete their brilliant career in the playoffs, which began with narrow qualifications against Atlanta (4-2) and Phily (4-3). By pushing the Heat to its limits, the team of veterans from Beantown lived up to its reputation as a tough, hard-nosed, combative team. One thing is certain: in view of the intensity and the spectacle offered for five tasty seasons, the Big Three of the C’s will be missed by many people, in an increasingly sanitized league. So, stop or again?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMXRi3bUw0k