Allen, KG chat with Letterman
Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett smile as David Letterman hands them the Larry O'Brien trophy. (CBS Photo / John Paul Filo)
Fresh off their title-clinching victory in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett were guests today on the Late Show with David Letterman. What follows is a sampling of their appearance, which can be seen in its entirety when the show airs tonight at 11:35 p.m. on WBZ-TV (Ch. 4, CBS):
Letterman greeted his guests by saying, "Congratulations to both you guys and thank you very much for being here. I know, I mean, it's crazy that you were in the big celebration and it's still continuing now, isn't it? And you're probably saying to yourselves right now, 'Why are we here?'"
Allen and Garnett said it was an honor to be on the show. "This'll solidify when you've won something, you've got to do Letterman," said Garnett.
Added Allen: "I think in the 80s when you won a championship, you said, 'We're going to Disneyland... In the year 2000, we say, 'We're going to David Letterman."
Letterman asked the pair about coming to Boston and understanding the history of the franchise.
"Well, you notice the difference because when you come into where we've played, myself in Milwaukee and Seattle, and then coming into Boston, you see all those banners and retired numbers up in the rafters and it's almost scary because you have so much to look up to or live up to," said Allen.
Letterman then asked Garnett about meeting past Celtic legends.
"They come into practice," said Garnett. "They watch us practice. They pull us to side, they speak. Before the year started, they came in. They had a big conversation about, you know, Celtic pride and what it means to be a Celtic, so you feel the tradition."
Letterman joked that the new guys probably preferred to be left alone, drawing laughter from the crowd.
"No, no, no, no, I mean, you have to understand they built the foundations for the present and, I mean, I'm just proud that we continue tradition," said Garnett, who went on to talk about his relationship with Bill Russell.
In a second segment with the pair, Allen talked about the family crisis that forced him to depart the Staples Center immediately following the Celtics' Game 5 loss in Los Angeles.
Allen said his 17-month-old son, Walker, had been admitted to the hospital Sunday and bloodwork determined that he was diabetic.
"I didn't know what to think," said Allen. "You know, I have friends that have diabetes, so we just figured it was going to be a lifelong process of just taking care of him and making sure that he ate correctly and lived a thorough life, making sure that he ate the right foods, so at first it was a shock and it hurt us, you know, seeing him in the hospital after the game, seeing him connected to tubes. As a parent, it bothered me tremendously, but you know, now, we're on the right track and we're definitely going to take care of him for the rest of his life."
Added Allen: "That day, I really put it all in perspective, and you know, we're playing in one of the biggest games of our careers, and I thought about him in the hospital and I said, 'Well, where are my priorities at this moment?' And, you know what, I want to be with these guys but you know, the little fella's who I want to be with most."
Celtics,
Congratulations!!!
From former Bostonians and still Boston sports fans.
Gary and Anne Jones
Green Valley, AZ
Allen is a CLASS ACT
Hard to underestimate the inner strength and focus that Ray Allen showed in game 7 with his son being ill. More reason to cheer.
AWESOME SEASON!! You have all showed the world we can still believe!!
My son and I live in Sacramento but we bleed Boston colors!
He was so excited to learn about the tradition of the Celtics and see these guys write a new chapter. He's only seven but he's a fan for life!
Congratulations Celtics!!! I'm looking forward to enjoying the parade!
Ray and Kevin are the real deal. It takes more than 5 guys with talent. They have to truly be a team and believe in something greater than themselves! Congratulations to the Celtics!
Celtics,
Congratulations!!!
From former Boston resident and still Boston sports fan...
Declan,
Galway, Ireland
Many years ago, during the Bird area, through my
work I got to know many of the Celts.
Seeing you guy win this thing in such convincing
fashion, sure brought back a lot of memories.
You make us all proud!
Ray Allen is an amazing guy. It's really touching to see people have their priorities set right. And Garnett's is such a grounded guy that I cant see any other team deserving the win more. Fantastic players that definately deserve it all! Congrats!!!
Very classy guys..nice to beat LA and Kobe the nuisance...then go to NYC, do Letterman, and talk about Celtic Pride...well done!
As fans of the Celtics from the 80's, to KG fans today...WAY TO GO CELTICS!!!
KG----> We miss you in Minnesota, but we're glad to see you finally win a ring!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Paula Bonnin & Bryan Nelson
Eau Claire, WI
From an old celtics fan, a New Yorker at that, who's seen the Cousy, Jones boys Russell and Sharman days, through Bird and McHale the Len Bias debacle, to now. What a long, strange (and wonderful!) road it is!
What time does Letterman actually get recorded? Allen was in Wellesley, MA at a shaws at 11:30. Thats pretty quick to get to New York where letterman airs.
Would've been wicked cool if Conan was already hosting!
Ray Allen is my favorite current Celtic.
How about a little pickup game with Barack Obama now? I heard he's a Celtics fan. I'm sure he's also amazed at the strength of character you guys possess. Unselfish, team oriented, strong working class work ethic (which Bostonian's love, of course), humble, introspective... and family men to boot.
Doc has brought the Patriots formula of success to the Gaaden : D-E-F-E-N-S-E
I was from China and lived in Boston for 11 years. I am a huge Red Sox fan, but i am so happy the Celtics won. What a beautifl city with so much culture and sports histroy. I miss Boston espcially now...
You Celtics do us proud! Here's to the amazing Paul Pierce and his dedication to the team as well as all the other guys in green. The Big Three could also be called the Terrific Trio or the Triple Threat : )
Fees good to see KG finally get his ring after suffering all those years in Minnesota and being a gentleman about it.
Grasseu- NYC is only a 45 min. flight from boston and letterman probably shoots in the late afternoon.
but anyway gotta love Ray Allen coming out of his shell and helping school the Lakers last night! Time to start a new Boston dynasty!
Comment 17!
Gotta love Letterman talking bout the Fakers saying that their jerseys make them look like Dental Hygentists lol
Leterman tapes promptly at 5pm, so Allen and KG probably to took a private shuttle 2:30pm, got to the studio at 4:30, did the show and flew back to Beantown.
KG is shy with the media. Allen - who has acting experience - is a little more relaxed with this stuff.
Congratulation Celtics!!! Well done.
To comment number 3- it was game 6 not game 7. To comment number 15, Conan is taking over for Jay Leno, not David Letterman.
Gets the fact strait people.
What an embarassment of riches being a Boston sports fan. I'm extremely happy especially for Paul and Doc. Sadly, I'm in Kansas City at the moment and really wished I could be a part of a clincher at home finally. This might be a run for a few years, too!
I'm a Boston sports fan since age 10 in 1954. I moved to Las Vegas in 2006 and met the greatest Celtic of all Bill Russell at a local hotel. Russ and Garnett hugging after the game says it all ...the tradition continues
Way to go C's!! ANYTHING is possible!!!
All those types of shows get recorded around 7pm-8pm. The Daily Show, Colbert Report, Conan, Letterman etc get everything done and ready before it gets really any later than that.
CELTICS CHAMPIONS ARE ASTERISK!
This transplanted Celtic fan is so thrilled that the legendary basketball team I've rooted for since the 1970s has returned to glory! To paraphrase Curt Schilling...I can't think of anything better than making 3 million people from Los Angeles to shut up! It's like 1984 all over again!
CONGRATULATIONS, 2008 WORLD CHAMPION BOSTON CELTICS!
Steve M. in Milwaukee
Delighted by Celtics' return to their rich history of a hard-fought winning tradition. KG & Ray Allen are dedicated athletes & class personified. So happy that they have finally reached the NBA pinnacle.
But where was the heart and soul of today's Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce? This is the guy who gutted it out, his entire career, waiting for teammates who could bring it home with him. Why wasn't he on Letterman to share in the celebration? A glaring omission.
Congratulations to the entire Boston Celtics team and organization... Outstanding job!!!! See you at the parade Champions!
It's great to see a new tradition starting in Boston.....I'm an old fan who now lives in FL, but once a fan always a fan. KG , Paul and the whole team did it like it was supposed to be done, as a TEAM!!!!!! WAY TO GO CELTICS!!!!!!!!!!!
Hats off to Ray Allen for his outstanding commitment inspite of the family pain. He showed how to adjust life priorities. He came out with flying colors and did what he was supposed to do. He will stand out as a greatest athlete of all time.
I would think the whole team should give him even more credit than what he deserved for this win.
To comment #26 .. learn how to spell straight
Amen to #37. I love it when some wise guy (#26) gets on here to slam someone and has the nerve to spell incorrectly hehehe
Great to see the Big 3 get their championship. I knew Paul Pierce was great but didn't know he was that good. Rondo was spectacular in the final game. It'll be fun to watch him get better over the years. Congrats to the entire team!
Thank you Celts!!
Resign Posey!!!
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
Look for updates from:
stay in touch
browse this blog
by categoryINside Boston.com