Today in Boston Celtics history, Hall of Fame Boston big man Kevin Garnett was born in Greenville, South Carolina in 1976. He was among the most successful players to transition directly from high school to the NBA, being one of the first to do so in decades after completing his high school career at Farragut Career Academy in Chicago.
Garnett entered the 1995 NBA Draft and was picked up with the fifth overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he found limited success as a star player. Although he reached the playoffs in eight of his twelve seasons with the ball club, he eventually became frustrated with the inability to go deeper into the postseason and was traded to Boston in the summer of 2007. He won his first championship at the end of his first season with the Celtics, but injuries and bad luck kept KG from having more than one more NBA Finals appearance (2010) with Boston.
Garnett was dealt to the Brooklyn Nets along with Paul Pierce and guard Jason Terry in 2013. He signed with Minnesota to close his Hall of Fame career. He averaged 15.7 points, 11 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game with the Celtics.
MIAMI, FL – MAY 30: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Miami Heat in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 30, 2012 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Birthdays
It is also the birthday of former Celtics head coach Bill Fitch, who was born on this day in 1932 in Davenport, Iowa. Fitch, a former United States Marine Corps drill instructor, coached at a number of schools in the college ranks before becoming head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1970. In 1979, he resigned from that position after a long rebuild and moderate playoff success to take over as head coach of the Celtics, replacing Dave Cowens in the role.
19 Oct 1994: Head coach Bill Fitch of the Los Angeles Clippers watches from the bench during an exhibition game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Anaheim Pond in Anaheim, California. The Lakers defeated the Clippers 120-104.
Getty Images/ Stephen Dunn
Fitch would have a big impression on incoming rookie Larry Bird, who credits Fitch for helping lay the foundation of his notoriously intense work ethic. Boston won 61 games in his first season with the team. The franchise won a title in 1981 under Fitch, but declining wins and other issues led him to resign in 1983. He recorded a 242-86 regular-season record and a 26-19 playoff record with the Celtics, good for .738 and .578 winning percentages, respectively.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Today in Boston Celtics history: Kevin Garnett, Bill Fitch born