Celtics Benefit From Kevin Garnett’s Influence, Even When He Isn't on the Court

Down the stretch last night, the Celtics went with Rajon Rondo, Eddie House, Big Baby Davis, Kendrick Perkins, and of course, Paul Pierce. With Ray Allen having fouled out, and Kevin Garnett in street clothes, it was like Danny Ainge had never made the mega-trade that brought the city a championship.

We were back in 2006-07, when the Celtics were arguably the worst team in the league. Okay, defensive guru Tom Thibodeau is a new addition, but Al Jefferson is gone. And Doc Rivers is still the head coach. Yet here this line-up was, closing out a playoff win in OT against a Chicago team full of former lottery picks. Something's changed, and it's not just that all these players are older and wiser. To me, this is one of those times where you really see the difference Garnett has made in Boston.

Think about the young frontcourt of Davis and Perkins. Since Garnett's arrival, Perkins has learned the intimidator's shtick, and gone from a serviceable big man to a real presence in the paint. Davis, who earlier in the season was driven to tears by KG's exhortations, has stayed tough and active on both offense and defense. It's impossible to imagine these two playing as well as they have this series without Garnett's example and influence.

Rondo may be a point guard, but his unique game and varied skill set are nothing if not Garnett-like. And over the last two seasons, we've seen Rondo go from bundle of potential asked merely not to screw up to, with this series, a star in his own right. It's not just that he defies positional logic in the same way Garnett does (especially in his younger days). Rondo also has a way of being everywhere at once that's remarkably inconspicuous, much like KG filling up a stat sheer before you've even realized it.

And then there's Pierce, long-suffering cornerstone of the franchise. You can argue that Pierce would've been enough to get past these Bulls, who just barely snuck into the playoffs. But then again, Pierce wasn't enough to keep them out of the deepest depths of the lottery in 2006-07. Paul Pierce gave his prime to this team, and had every right to expect it be rebuilt around him. That wasn't happening, and understandably, sometimes he brooded. When Garnett arrived, not only did Pierce get exactly what he wanted: He now had a teammate who, by example, forced him to push himself harder than ever.

That's why, as the Celtics put away this one, you saw Pierce overcome the fact that he's done little of note in this series -- and in last night's game. Instead, Pierce stepped up and hit pretty much every shot that needed to be made. Not because Garnett wanted him to, or color commenter Doug Collins patiently demanded it of him. It was because these days, Paul Pierce expects it of himself, no matter how frustrating things get along the way.

See Also: Eamonn Brennan on KG's classless antics from last night.

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