"Give me a couple more short summers where I feel like with this team, [we] set our mark. Every Celtics team sort of had their run, and its multiples. It's only right that we set our mark in this league like Timmy [Duncan] has done it with the Spurs, Kobe [Bryant] and Shaq [O'Neal] have done it [with the Lakers]. This is my opportunity to do that. I'm trying to take advantage of it fully right now."
The Celtics played more postseason games than any team in NBA history last season. Also, the well-traveled Celtics had training camp and preseason games in Rome and London last year. After the Celtics won the title, a tired Garnett knew it was important to unlace his sneakers for a while. The 2008 Defensive Player of the Year celebrated with teammates in Las Vegas in late June. Garnett said he also used July as "a vacation."
"I needed the whole July for mental decompressing," said Garnett, who will head to training camp with the Celtics in Newport, R.I., next week. "Just calming down and just relaxing, let the body heal naturally."
Garnett didn't work out with trainer Joe Abunassar in Las Vegas this summer, as he usually does. But Garnett began taking part in workouts Aug. 1 at his offseason home in Los Angeles that included basketball drills and playing, weightlifting, cardiovascular exercises, and running on the beach. He also spent time working out in Minneapolis and said he "busted his [behind]."
"I know what I'm anticipating and what this season is about to be like. I trained with the intent that they're coming [for me]. But guess what, I'm coming, too. We are coming."
Garnett has gladly accepted well wishes for winning his first NBA title with his familiar wide grin. Although he points out that stars such as Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, and Reggie Miller shouldn't be slighted for not winning a title, he is ecstatic no one can say that about him anymore.
