GARNETT AND THE BOSTON CELTICS ARE NBA CHAMPIONS!!!

After 12 frustrating years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, my idol, Kevin Garnett got his wish--- a championship ring and trophy for his new team, the Boston Celtics.

Kevin Maurice Garnett (born May 19, 1976 in Mauldin, South Carolina) is an American professional basketball player for the NBA’s Boston Celtics. The 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m), 220 lb (100 kg/16 st) power forward is regarded as one of the best all-around players in the NBA. His accomplishments include being voted Most Valuable Player of the 2003-04 season, NBA Defensive Player of the Year of the 2007-08 season, being named to eleven All- Star teams and being named to eight All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams. He is also the all-time leader in NBA seasons played with averages of at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. (Source: Wikipedia)

More on Kevin Garnett

Part of my KG collections: McFarlane toy figures and magazines.

For the 17th time in franchise history, the Boston Celtics are NBA Champions.

Kobe Bryant vs Kevin Garnett

The 2008 Celtics brought an end to their storied franchise's 21-year championship drought with the most lopsided closeout win in NBA Finals history on Tuesday night, blowing out the Lakers, 131-92. Leading just 32-29 midway through the second quarter, the Celtics scored 11 straight points and finished the half on a 26-6 run.

In the second half, Boston's 58-35 halftime lead only grew. Clearly, the Celtics had had enough close games.

Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett each scored a game-high 26 points and Rajon Rondo added 20 as the Celtics came up just three points shy of the NBA Finals record for largest margin of victory.

Ray Allen tied an NBA Finals record for 3-pointers made in a single game with seven, and set a new Finals record for 3-pointers made in a series, with 22. Garnett was superb on the boards, pulling down a game-high 14 rebounds for Boston, but it was Rondo who finished with the most astounding stat line in addition to his 20 points: eight assists, seven rebounds and six steals.

The Celtics' historic margin of victory in Game 6 was due in large part to their magnificent defense, which set an NBA Finals record with 18 steals, breaking the previous record of 17.

After the game, Paul Pierce was named Finals MVP. He had a modest outing in Game 6, but stood out plenty in the previous five games to deserve the honor. Pierce averaged 21.8 points and 6.3 assists per game as he, Garnett and Allen captured the first NBA titles of their long, accomplished, respective careers.

Source: NBA Website/ June 17, 2008

NBA's KEVIN GARNETT

The popularity of NBA Cards in the Philippines had its peak in mid 90s when His Airness, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls ruled the NBA. The popular and sought-after players that time, besides Jordan, were Grant Hill, Anfernee 'Penny' Hardaway, Jason Kidd, Dennis Rodman, rookies Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen, Steve Nash and a little later, Tim Duncan. I used to hang outs at the old Virra Mall in Greenhills, SM Centerpoint and other trading points in Metro Manila and had grand time swapping, trading, selling, buying cards with collectors and avid NBA fans. It was pure fun that time until the Asian financial crisis ruined and messed the whole thing. The prices of the cards went high and became unaffordable.

Original signed Kevin Garnett card / Skybox Autographics 1996
My prized KG collection

Topps Redemption card- 1995

I am a KG fan from the time he was drafted in 1995. He was second to my all-time best player, the legendary Michael Jordan of Chicago Bulls. Kevin Garnett jumped directly into the NBA in 1995 out of high school. Drafted No. 5 pick overall, he became the fifth player to enter the league without having played college basketball. For 12 seasons, Garnett stood as the lone wolf in Minnesota. The “Big Ticket” carried the team on his shoulders and while being paid handsomely for the big task (more than $200 million), he fell short of taking his team to the finals. Garnett produced an MVP season in 2004. He got Minnesota within two victories of a finals berth that year.

Last July 2007, the T-Wolves traded KG to the Celts in a seven-for-one trade, the largest in NBA history. With Paul Pierce and Ray Allen already in the roster, the Celtics have been transformed into an instant title contender. The Celtic’s last championship came in 1986 courtesy of the original big three --- Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. The team is now poised to make another title run with Garnett, Pierce and Allen.

Today, the Boston Celtics has the best win-loss NBA record at 32-6.

NBA rookie and insert cards during KG's rookie year
(part of my KG collection- his rookie year NBA cards)