Andray Blatche enjoys Boston welcome for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Garnett, formerly of the Boston Celtics, waves to the crowd during a tribute to him in the first half. (Jan. 26, 2014) Credit: AP
BOSTON -- Andray Blatche pretended to put his Beats by Dre headphones on his ears as he prepared to take questions at his locker Sunday, singing "I'm the man, I'm the man, I'm the man."
Blatche was spoofing Kevin Garnett's commercial, having fun at the expense of one of this city's former conquering sons who was showered with affection during Sunday night's 85-79 win over the Celtics. But Blatche knows Garnett is surely in a class by himself, and was wrapped up in the emotional tributes just like everyone else.
"It was definitely a great moment to see," said Blatche, who scored 17 points. "I was watching the board myself. That's a great accomplishment and that's a lot of love from the organization and the fans to see something like that."
Home for Terry, too
Lost in all the hoopla surrounding the return of Garnett and Pierce was Jason Terry's return to Boston. Terry, of course, wasn't here long, playing only one season after signing with the Celtics as a free agent. Terry, who finished with three points and three assists in 16 minutes last night, averaged 10.1 points and started in 24 of the 79 games he played for the Celtics last season. So where was his video tribute?
"Dallas got mine, so it's all good," Terry said. "I saw a couple of No. 4 jerseys out there, so it was all good."
Net-cetera
The combined 69 first-half points totaled by both teams were the fewest scored in the initial 24 minutes of game this season. According to Elias, the Nets are the first team start January 10-1 or better in consecutive seasons since the Bulls went 11-0 and 10-1 during the 1995-96 and 1996-97 campaigns.
