Sunday night was a bit historic for the Boston Celtics.
That’s because it finally brought the team’s big three back together.
That’s right, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen finally squashed their decade-long beef after years of people wondering if they will or if they won’t.
The three legendary players hugged it out as Garnett’s Celtics jersey was retired.
It was a moment that Boston fans had been hoping for and wanting for years…with little indication they’d ever get it.
How did it come to pass?
Allen said he had a strong desire to mend things with his former teammates, according to Celtics reporter John Karalis.
Ray knew he had to make good w/ KG before returning. "I did get the sense that the people here felt how Kevin felt. Once he accepted me, then the people accepted me. … I was glad we could do that and people could see, ‘We won with this guy in 2008, & that’s what matters most.’
— John Karalis 🇬🇷 🇺🇦 (@John_Karalis) March 14, 2022
Allen had a strong desire to fix the situation in Boston, saying, “I don’t like being on the outside. There’s so many people here that I love, that I spent time with, that have been a part of the family.”
But Allen also knew if he wanted to make everything right with the Celtics, he’d have to patch it up with Garnett.
“I did get the sense that the people here felt how Kevin felt. Once he accepted me, then the people accepted me. I was glad we could do that and people could see, ‘We won with this guy in 2008 and that’s what matters most.'”
After Sunday night’s celebration, it seems that everyone feels better about the situation.
Boston’s Big Three
The combination of Garnett, Pierce, and Allen was lethal back in the 2000s.
Boston was one of the best teams in the league and was able to make a successful championship run in 2008.
Their success was unparalleled at the time but it all came apart when Allen decided to leave for the Miami Heat.
He knew it would fracture the big three’s relationship but Allen made the choice that was right for him.
Allen probably figured these three would never come back together so it’s great to see that they have all these years later.
NEXT: Celtics Big 3 Had A Legendary Reunion Sunday Night