'I manifested this' - Boston Celtics raise Kevin Garnett's No. 5 to rafters, with Ray Allen on hand for ceremony

BOSTON — On the day Kevin Garnett saw his No. 5 raised to the rafters at TD Garden, he officially buried his beef with Ray Allen.

As part of the ceremony celebrating Garnett's six years with the franchise, he singled out Allen — who was sitting in the front row of the assembled guests, alongside fellow Big Three member Paul Pierce — for his being present after years of acrimony between the two.

«It's good to see Ray Allen here,» Garnett said. «Real s---. It's good to see you, man. You next, dog.»

Allen then came over and gave Garnett a hug with Pierce right behind them, grabbing both of them in a bear hug as the crowd erupted in applause.

It was a moment that officially brought closure to a rift that opened up between them 10 years ago, when Allen chose to sign with the Miami Heat as a free agent. It was a move that ended a five-year run for the three stars — all members of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team — that brought Boston a championship in 2008 and ushered in a new era of stars congregating in the NBA in an attempt to best them.

«Yeah, that's a big one,» said Philadelphia's Doc Rivers, who coached that 2008 title team, when asked about Allen being in attendance Sunday night. «Because that's been a problem, obviously, and the fact that it looks like the fence is finally coming down is really cool.

»Very, very happy for Kevin, and really cool that Ray came today."

Allen said he was only sure he was going to make it to the event last week. He admitted that, for a long time, he wasn't sure such a reunion would be possible.

But, after Allen, Garnett and Pierce were together in Cleveland for the NBA's 75th anniversary celebration, he said the two of them were able to have a breakthrough, and Allen said he was very happy