Fresh legs

This is not to say that Celtics fans will see the vintage Garnett from five or six years ago. He will, however, be reminiscent of the Garnett who spearheaded the Celtics’ run to the NBA title in 2008. At age 34, Garnett realizes his limitations more than ever, but he is heartened by several factors this season.

He is as healthy as he was two years ago, and with the additions of Jermaine O’Neal and Shaquille O’Neal and the development of Glen Davis, Garnett will not be relied upon to produce as he did three years ago. The years of him dominating the paint as a volume scorer and rebounder may have passed, but he should produce more of those vintage KG moments more often.

He walked off the court yesterday with peace of mind, less concerned about his knee and more concerned about Shaquille O’Neal distracting him during his media session. He couldn’t stop laughing when O’Neal started dancing behind the camera, and he seemingly hasn’t stopped smiling since he reported to Waltham, Mass., and began working out with his teammates.

“If you’re speaking on my injuries, I feel better obviously a year later,’’ he said. “My body feels good, man. I took only one rest today. [Rajon] Rondo and I just kept communicating and talking. It was a good day, man.’’

Garnett’s importance to the Celtics is unquestioned. When that turnaround jumper is falling and he is a beast around the basket, he is one of the league’s better scorers/rebounders. The Celtics’ defense revolved around him barking commands and helping teammates with his length, but the constant pounding on his right knee forced him to miss 10 games midway through last season and produced an uneven second half.

“Kevin was phenomenal [today],’’ coach Doc Rivers said. “I just asked him to do what he’s done in the past [this summer], but this year he wasn’t coming off surgery. It was just rehabbing, getting ready for the season. He’s just more explosive. He has his hop back, which is good.’’