Does Anyone Remember When KG Was Respectable?

I sure can't. This recent incident with Jose Calderon just reaffirms how much of a douchebag Kevin Garnett really is. I'll be honest in saying that I have a clear bias ( huge Laker fan ) but truly that is irrelevant in this case. The Lakers have been bitter rivals with the Spurs for who knows how long, yet I still believe Tim Duncan is one of the greatest and most admirable players in the league.

Here's the video of Kevin Garnett being Kevin Garnett.

For those of you who've forgotten what type of person KG really is click the link for more:

In 2004 Kevin Garnett punched his rookie teammate Rick Rickert.

Garnett punched Rick Rickert, a second-round draft pick of the Timberwolves last season, according to several sources with knowledge of the event. Seven stitches were required to close the cut on Rickert's chin, said Susan Rickert, the player's mother, during a phone interview yesterday.

Garnett's agent and a Timberwolves spokesman declined to comment.

According to a report in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Garnett's attack was unprovoked.

Rickert, 21, scored several times with the 6-foot-11 Garnett guarding him. Several other players began to "tease" Garnett about being outplayed, according to a source. When Rickert scored again, Garnett struck him without warning.
- Washington Post

In 2000 Kevin Garnett punched Wally Sczerbiak in the head

The dislike between the two players has been played up ever since Garnett punched an unsuspecting Szczerbiak in the locker room after practice a few years ago.

Tim Duncan stands up for Tony Parker. Kevin Garnett cusses him out. TD responds with "You're tripping man."

In the best-known example of his newfound forcefulness, Duncan got into a face-to-face smack-talking session with Minnesota's Kevin Garnett--an accomplished talker of smack, mind you--during a game in February. The Spurs were blowing out the Timberwolves, and after Garnett had given an extra shove to Spurs rookie point guard Tony Parker, Duncan began jawing with Garnett. Both were hit with technical fouls, and when the argument simmered, both were ejected. It was the first ejection of Duncan's career.

From the outside, it looked as if Duncan had earned a draw in his lip-wagging battle with Garnett. But while Garnett was getting his ejection's worth, spewing a stream of language so polluted that even Greenpeace would not bother with a cleanup effort, the best Duncan could come up with was to inform Garnett, "You're tripping, man." It was such an even-keeled response that the league office later rescinded the ejection and the $1,000 fine.
- The Sporting News

Another video of Kevin Garnett harassing Jose Calderon:



Say what you will about his intensity and passion for the game. Taunting might pass as a mere side effect of his emotion for the game, but punching a teammate is completely inexcusable (regardless of what was done to provoke it. And in the rookie's case this was apparently nothing). And it's all the more ironic because Garnett is constantly being deemed one of the greatest teammates to have.

Why is it that the traditional media seems to ignore all of this? It's as if Garnett has somehow been molded into the paragon of the NBA. A disgraceful paragon indeed.

Latrell Spreewell's coach choking or Kevin Garnett's teammate clocking? The two incidents are right on par with each other if you ask me.

One more thing: is KG not a complete psycho?

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My Emotional Plea

Kobe Bryant, you said in the post game interview you had some very good shots that didn't go down for you. But c'mon Kobe, we all know you're the only person in the NBA who thinks those shots are easy, but you can easily get those shots any time you want. You looked like Kobe of old, forcing shots, not passing, not running the offense. Your teammates were completely out of sync, they need you to get them involved. And not just by piling up your own assist numbers, but by giving them the simple pass and giving them the confidence that you trust them.

Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, Vladimir Radmonovich, please, defense does not end until you secure the rebound. Please, you forced plenty of poor shots and showed solid defense... until you let Boston grab 10 offensive rebounds including the exclamation put back jam by KG in the closing minutes.

Lakers, please calm down and show some poise. The entire game you guys looked confused, rushed, puzzled, and completely out of sync. The Boston crowd and team energy totally disoriented everyone on the court leading to poor passes, rushed shots, and a serious lack of focus (I'm talking to you space cadet).

Please! Please! PLEASE! Run your offense and focus on how you can improve. You guys were ALL one step behind Boston in game 1, it's obvious who actually did their homework. Regroup and steal one on Sunday. And Phil, please play Trevor Ariza.

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Lakers vs Celtics: Keys to Win

TYPICALLY, there are specific game plans that can be devised to shut down any team in the NBA. So I had all intention of explaining what the game plan would be for each team in the finals. Unfortunately, I'm drawing a blank. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics both have so many weapons and so many different response tactics, you shut down one aspect and they'll fire back with a different weapon-- this is why these two teams are in the championship series. So though there aren't any sure fire ways to truly shut the other team down, as always, I will try (and most likely be right).

For BOSTON CELTICS to win:

Exploit and attack Derek Fisher. Yes, Derek Fisher has been reputed as a solid offensive and defensive presence, however, he has definitely lost a step or two. Deron Williams and Tony Parker ripped Derek Fisher apart on the offensive end using their quickness and an endless series of pick and rolls. Lakers have placed a lot of trust in Derek Fisher's able hands, but unfortunately, many times this trust is misplaced due to Fisher's age. And from a defensive point of view, force Fish to create on the offensive end. When Fisher sets his feet he is one of the best shooters in the game, but when he's forced to create on his own, he will undoubtedly take off-balance shots (that won't go in) and force layups into the opposing teams shot blockers.


Boston by far has the physical edge when being compared to the lanky frontline of the Lakers, but I don't find this to be too much of an advantage in the game of basketball. The Lakers will respond to Boston's strength so forcing the ball to the post will not win the series; don't force it down low.

Boston needs to exploit their three point shooters. James Posey, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce. They are big time three point shooters and if they can find their shot, the Lakers are in trouble. The Lakers have already had a lot of practice versus the pick and rolls by playing against Tony Parker, so it will ultimately come down to a three point contest against themselves.

Kevin Garnett always plays with heart, emotion and intensity, it's the only way he plays. But that's not going to win the basketball game. KG needs to take the scoring load on himself, plug the lane defensively, and forcible take games away from Los Angeles. Deferring to Pierce and his teammates will not win the series.


Keys for LOS ANGELES LAKERS to win:

Do not be intimidated by Boston's arena, the historic rivalry, their big three, or their record. The last two times these teams played, Boston destroyed Los Angeles not only on the scoreboard, but also in poise and energy. Lamar Odom, Ronny Turiaf, Sasha Vujacic, and Jordan Farmar need to play tough, physical, in-your-face defense and aggressive offensive for the Lakers to overcome Boston.

Kobe Bryant. With a defense as tough Boston, the only real answer is Kobe Bryant, a man no defense can stop. And if reports are correct regarding Boston's decision not to double-team Kobe, he should have a field day tearing up the defense. I also believe that the Kobe-Pau lob connection will be completely obliterated by Kevin Garnett, so I see Kobe looking for Lamar more often this series.

Lakers bench need to do what they've been doing all season. Entering the game and shooting the lights out, many times extending the lead. This will be extremely tough to do due to Boston's physicality in their starting lineup and their bench, but when did physicality affect three point shooting?

Double team Kevin Garnett, suffocate Paul Pierce individually, and force Ray Allen to be the man. If there was one star in the NBA who was never going to win a championship, it's Ray Allen. When you're slumping for two and a half series, you're not answering the call to be a champion. He did manage to find a few shots in Detroit but I can confidently state that he does not have the IT factor to lead Boston. Look to see him riding the bench for long periods of time.



Lakers in 6. I was going to say 5 but Luke Walton is going to screw up a game.

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Lebron should go to college to learn manners

If anyone else was like me, you thought Lebron James was about to get into a fight with Paul Pierce and KG the moment Pierce took him down. Now replay?? Turns out he wanted to discipline his mom for trying to protect him! Now, I am no mother. And the closest I plan on being one is taking a number two later tonight if you know what I mean. But if I were, I would have slapped both Pierce and LBJ upside the head. Even though Lebron ended up winning the game, he gets no forgiveness!!

On a similar note, Cleveland in 7. And I've been saying this since they made the trade, thank you very much. More on why later.

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