“Listen, I can shoot threes,’’ Garnett said. “Cut this, all right? Then I don’t want no more questions. Y’all acting like I’m old, out here on one leg. Some nights are better - I’m human, I miss some, I make mistakes, but I can shoot threes.
“I don’t shoot threes because we have the greatest all-time 3-point shooter in the history [Ray Allen], we have Paul Pierce, who’s won the 3-point contest. We have other guys who can shoot threes - that ain’t my role here. My role is to get those guys open. When they throw it to me, shoot it, dunk it, pass it - OK, cool - but I can shoot threes.
“When I walk around the streets, y’all stop acting shocked I can shoot threes. Everybody in Boston, everybody in the world, everybody in Minnesota, LA, wherever I’m at; Concord, Lexington, Burlington. I can shoot threes, OK? Let that go.
“Doc [Rivers] was yelling at me, ‘Shoot, shoot, shoot.’
“Finally, I just shot the three and said, ‘Huh, that’s what you want, man? That’s what you want?’ I can shoot threes. I can shoot threes, all right?
“Look, don’t - do not get all like ‘Shoot a three’ - I don’t want that, like, ‘Shoot!’ Don’t y’all do that to me, OK? I’m not on the Celtics to be out here shooting threes,’ OK? I am here to do other things, not to shoot threes. But I can shoot threes, OK? Any more questions?’’
In a five-day period, Garnett has converted all three of his 3-point attempts - in wins over Toronto Wednesday, New York Friday, and yesterday. Since the 2007-08 season, Garnett had never made more than two in a season and was 6 for 31 on 3-pointers since joining the Celtics.
After one game, Garnett noted he was not going to become “like [ex-Celtic] Rasheed Wallace.’’
But Rivers appreciates Garnett’s willingness to increase his shooting range, though he also recognizes the 3-point subject pushes buttons with Garnett.
