A Final Run for the New Big Three

Many observers believed the 2011-12 season would be the final together for the Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. In the 2012 NBA Playoffs, the Celtics defeated the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference First Round and won the seven-game semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers. Boston faced the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, putting up a valiant effort but ultimately losing in seven games. The Celtics Big Three came apart as Ray Allen joined the Heat the next season. “I know everybody will look at the Big Three individually – Kevin, Ray and Paul. I’m never going to look at them individually, I’m going to look at them as a group collective,” said Head Coach Doc Rivers. “So I think that’s what we should all focus on, how much they gave up to try and win. That’s what I’ll remember most about them.”