Boston Celtics: Team awards for each season of the 2010s

2012-2013 Awards

Defensive Player: Kevin Garnett

Garnett just makes this choice really easy. He consistently put up solid defensive numbers that haven’t been seen by a player at his age in a while.

In this season, he averaged 1.1 steals (third on the team), .9 blocks (first), and led the team in rebounds yet again with 7.8 per contest.

In this season Garnett turned 37. It seemed as if he almost got better with time and as he aged. He played even more games than he did the previous season, and made the impact that can only be described in so many words.

Garnett’s greatness has been seen in and described in six of the seven awards that have been given out so far, but rightfully so.

For the sake of seeing some new names, let’s get to the fan-favorite of the 2012-2013 season.

Fan Favorite: Jeff Green

Jeff Green of the Boston Celtics (at the time), unbeknownst to many NBA fans, fell victim to one of the most devastating pieces of news in 2011.

Green was informed that he needed open-heart surgery, and there was no chance he would see the court in the 2011-12 season.

In a Twitter post as the news broke, Green remained upbeat and said the following:

"“Thank u everyone for ur thoughts and prayers,”  “…much appreciated love u all..and I’ll be back soon stronger and better than ever I promise.”"

As someone who met Green the season he returned, he was one of the nicest players I’ve had the chance to talk to, and that has stayed true to this very day.

Green is humble, kind, caring, and most importantly, a talented basketball player and an outstanding teammate.

In the 2012-13 season, Jeff Green played 81 of 82 games, a remarkable feat for someone who was a victim of a near life-ending situation.

Not only did he play all those games, he averaged a solid 12.8 points per game, and shot considerably well after being out of game action for a whole season.

His story was one that inspired so many people and should continue to as long as more people learn about the entirety of the situation.

MVP: Paul Pierce

The Truth!

Paul Pierce had wonderful seasons, not only during the one in question but in the last two where Garnett took the team MVP honors.

However, Pierce’s stats rivaled that of Garnett’s, and personally, he deserves the MVP for this season.

In his last season with Boston, Pierce put up 18.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. The latter two numbers ranked second on the team, and he led the team in points.

On top of that, Pierce led the team in offensive rating, at 103.8.

Ever since Pierce was drafted by the Celtics, he showed the true Boston Celtics grit that defines the franchise and the top players that suit up for them.

From getting stabbed in the offseason and still playing the whole year, to leaving a Finals game in a wheelchair and coming back (the reason is irrelevant at the moment), he had many defining moments in his career.

Once Garnett and Ray Allen arrived, he had the help he needed to bring a Finals win to the city of Boston. In 2008, he finally claimed that elusive NBA championship with his teammates. Even if he had gone without it, people would not have thought any less of him.

Pierce’s jersey will forever remain in the Boston rafters, and he deserves it.

While he never won a league MVP award during his career, maybe he can take solace in winning the 2012-13 MVP award for the Boston Celtics.