A Fully Healthy Kevin Garnett Is Ready To Lead the Boston Celtics to the Finals

Kevin Garnett is one of the last of a dying breed: someone who gives every ounce of energy they have on every play, every night.

The intensity he plays with and the passion he brings to both ends of the floor is contagious to everyone around him, teammates and fans alike.

When the Boston Celtics lost Kevin Garnett for the season in 2009 prior to the playoffs, there was little hope of returning to the Finals.

Garnett is the leader on the floor, and his emotional play raises every the energy of his teammates. The Celtics medical staff knew his knee injury suffered in 2009 against Utah would need at least a year to fully heal.

While Garnett was able to play nearly a full season last year, he was clearly not the same player. He moved slower, took too many jump shots, got out fought for rebounds and just simply wasn't explosive enough.

Nearly two years since his knee injury, Garnett is has regained his all-star form and is a major reason why the Celtics are the best team in the East—and perhaps the entire NBA.

Doc Rivers is not afraid to let Garnett finish games this season, even when a win is not important on a particular night. The Celtics often rest their many veterans in games where they could make a push for victory, but instead try to rest and stay fresh for the playoffs.

It was a strategy that Rivers and Celtics general manager Danny Ainge decided on during last season, and although the players did not approve (understandably on a veteran team), the decision proved a good one.

The Celtics coasted into the playoffs, but were healthy, and made a great run to the NBA Finals before losing a tight Game 7 to the Lakers on the road.

While veterans like Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will be rested in a similar fashion as we get farther into the season, Garnett will likely play more minutes.

So far this season, Garnett is playing with a youthful amount of energy. He's running the floor as fast as ever, often beating younger and faster opponents down the court.

KG is not afraid to give 100 percent energy on any play. His confidence in the shape of his knee has him playing his most effective brand of basketball.

With Garnett back to full strength and a deep bench to back him up, coach Rivers has the option to either go for the best record in the East to secure home court in the playoffs, or rest for the playoffs. 

Kevin Garnett had his best season in 2008, and the result was a Celtics championship. Now that Garnett does not have to worry about his knee, he can be the MVP-caliber player he was in 2008 and lead the Celtics to banner No. 18 in June.

The Celtics could rest and be healthy for another deep playoff run, but last season's Game 7 loss on the road leads us to believe the Celtics will do anything to make sure a Game 7 in 2011 is played in the Boston Garden.