Boston Celtics: 5 Reasons Kevin Garnett Is the Most Important Veteran to Keep

Kevin Garnett has been the Celtics' most consistent star during their run to the Eastern Conference Finals. At 36 years old, Garnett has showed no signs of slowing down.

If the Celtics are to beat the Miami Heat and make their third trip to the NBA finals in the last six years, Garnett needs to continue his stellar play.

Garnett will be a free agent this offseason, and he is sure to have plenty of suitors. Even at his advancing age, the Big Ticket is still one of the premier players available this offseason. The Celtics should make re-signing Garnett their first priority if they hope to contend in the Eastern Conference next season. 

1) Garnett's Rejuvenation

This time last year, Celtics fans were convinced that Kevin Garnett’s best days were well behind him. He was outplayed by Chris Bosh in the Celtics' playoff loss to the Miami Heat and his 35 years of age was beginning to show.

After the All-Star break this season something clicked. The Celtics moved Garnett to center and he started to play his best basketball in years. Ever since the move, he has aggressively looked for his own shot instead of deferring to his teammates.

In the second half of the regular season, Garnett averaged 17 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Garnett’s play in the postseason has been even better.

In the playoffs, Garnett has averaged 19.2 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Having a center that puts up those kind of numbers is a rarity in today’s NBA.  The Celtics would be silly not to do whatever it takes to re-sign the Big Ticket this offseason given his recent play. 

2) Ray Allen's Injury

Prior to this season, Ray Allen seemed to be the veteran Celtic playing at the highest level. Allen had an extremely efficient 2010-2011 season in which he shot 49 percent from the field and about 44 percent from deep.

After a solid start to the season, Allen’s play has steeply declined this year thanks mostly to an ankle injury. What's ironic is that Allen has been the healthiest Big Three member since he, Pierce and Garnett joined forces, but this season has been the most limited.

Allen is averaging just less than 10 points per game this postseason while shooting 41 percent from the field and a pedestrian 27 percent from three.

Allen gutting it out over the first few round of the playoffs has been admirable. However, it's been tough to watch as the former star is clearly immobilized and playing on nothing but guile.

The poor play of Allen as of late has made many question whether the team should bring him back next season. When choosing between Garnett and Allen, it is obvious that the team should more aggressively try and re-sign KG.

3) Leadership

Garnett is widely known as one of the best leaders in the entire NBA.  His passion and intensity lifts the play of those around him.

When a young player is intimidated, Garnett’s there to back him up. If Pierce or Allen is struggling, Garnett’s yelling in his ear to keep shooting. If one of his teammates falls to the floor, Garnett’s the first one picking him up.

Garnett changed the culture is Boston when he joined the team back in 2007. The way he plays the game and how he carries himself on and off the court transformed the Celtics from a bunch of guys into a team.

Rajon Rondo is still a young player who is developing into a star. Garnett has been crucial to the point guard’s development and keeping KG will help Rondo continue to grow as both a player and a man.

Re-signing Garnett will keep the cohesiveness of the Celtics intact. His leadership both through example and encouragement is essential to the team’s success. Taking that away would be a huge blow to the Celtics next season.

4) Defense

Kevin Garnett is defense. He is one of the best defensive players in league history due to his elite combination of length, athleticism and relentlessness.

He protects the rim; hustles back after a missed shot, hedges picks and can even stay with many guards and small forwards on the perimeter.

Watch a Celtics game. What jumps off the screen is Garnett's defense. He seems to be in the right spot at the right time all the time, and that's no accident. It's a result of years of honing his craft and studying the game.

What really separates Garnett from so many others is his constant communication. He is always telling his teammates where to be and what is going on defensively, which rubs off on other players and drastically improves their overall defense.

Ever since Garnett has joined the Celtics, they have been one of the league’s best defenses. Failing to re-sign him would be a huge hit to their defense because of all the things he does on that end.  

5) He's Kevin Garnett

It’s always good to have a future Hall of Famer on your roster. Garnett is not only a future Hall of Famer, but a first ballot one at that.

There’s a certain aura that surrounds Garnett. Knowing that he is on your team permeates a comfort level amongst the players who realize his greatness and what he is going to bring to each and every game.  

Opposing players have a great deal of respect for Garnett. They know that he plays his butt off whether it’s a meaningless regular-season game in February, or Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

Garnett also brings in fans as he is still one of the biggest stars and most recognizable players in the league. The fans will wholeheartedly support the team if they are to bring Garnett back, and may revolt if they decide not to do so.