Coach Doc Rivers declared that Garnett has no limitations when camp begins in Newport, R.I., but Garnett got a glimpse of his eventual NBA mortality when he was forced to miss the postseason and the enter the offseason precariously rehabilitating the knee.
Save for the 1998-99 lockout season, when Garnett played in 47 games, he had suited up for at least 71 in 12 seasons before being limited to 57 last season. The injury is a sign that even the young get older. The skinny kid who came straight out of Farragut Academy and was tabbed as part of the league’s post-Jordan future is now 33.
Just three years ago, in his final season in Minnesota, Garnett logged 39 minutes per game, carrying the team on his bony shoulders. Now, with the Celtics’ acquisition of Rasheed Wallace, and the continued development of Glen Davis and Kendrick Perkins, not as much may be expected of Garnett.
He participated in five-on-five games for the first time since the injury last week and teammate Paul Pierce said Garnett “looked like what you expected. I think he was comfortable. I just think it’s all about him knocking off the rust from not being out there for so long, but in my opinion, he looked good. It was like a breath of fresh air.’’
But Garnett spoke yesterday about being humbled by the injury, surprised that his knee was so damaged and slightly unsure when he will return to vintage form. But he said he will work arduously to get there.
“I’m going full-blast,’’ he said. “I don’t think when you get in camp you go [less than all-out] or anything like that. Doc and I have talked about time and taking it easy, listening to [trainer] Ed Lacerte and the doctors and what they’re telling me. So I’m being patient with that.’’
Garnett would not reveal the extent of the injury other than to say it was a bone spur that was larger than he’d thought. But when pressed, he said the whole situation forced him to take his health more seriously. His body hadn’t betrayed him much in 14 years in the NBA. He has been remarkably healthy despite years of pounding in the paint.
