Kevin Garnett

[APerna]

Kevin Garnett's actions lately were brought up in a recent Pacesetter thread, so I thought I'd organize the discussion a little better, mainly because it's a nice topic to rant on.

cdash said: By the way, I HATE Kevin Garnett. That man got a ring and now hes absolutely insane. Getting on all fours taunting rookies, making teammates cry on the bench, trash talking EVERYONE around him, I mean who the hell does he think he is? I used to respect him, but no more. Poor sport. Not a gracious winner.

Here's my take:

There was something on the Wiretap a few weeks ago about him. The NBA was reportedly taking a look at his actions.

I respect the heck out of him, and didn't mind him at all in Minnesota. However, I was at the game in Boston last week and heard some rough stuff. I was close enough to hear some of the player's chatter and a specific incident has been burned into my memory.

I believe it was Ray Allen that made a three-point from one of the arches, and Garnett pressured T.J. on the inbound pass. I think Murphy was passing, and Garnett was up in Ford's face...screaming...literally screaming about the made three-pointer with some choice words thrown in.

It was like the second quarter, and although the game was within reach at that point, it's early December.

I'm beginning to think he might burn himself out mentally.

[Miller4ever]

This is distressing news. At this rate, he might still be great, but the Celtics will suffer from swagger and KG's just painting the target redder. I saw him at Boston last season versus the Pacers and he's always fired up, but sometimes after a huge life-changing victory, some guys' heads get blown out of proportion.

I think he was extra pissed at the Pacers, though, because they're one of two teams to take them down, a quarter of the way through the season.

[Grang33r]

I always loved KG in Minnesota and last year in Boston, i hoped he'd get a chance to win it all. When they made the finals, i hoped he'd win because i respect KG and i also love Ray Allen.

However, this season, KG is a complete clown. I honestly would love to see him break a leg or something. I'd laugh so hard. He's done it to TJ Ford. He did it to Jose Calderon. He's done it to Bayless vs. Portland in a blowout game. He tells Doc Rivers he wants to stay in with 3 minutes left with a 15 point lead vs. backups? I've never seen a super star play in garbage minutes. KG is becoming one of my most hated players. He already has his ring, but if he keeps this up, i can totally see this becoming like last years NE Patriots where the entire nation rooted against them.

Such a great talent to turn into such a loser on the court. It's too bad.

[TJFordisGod]

TJ should have punched him in the face

[cdash]

I thought about making this a new topic, but I didn't know if it was just me who thought this and didnt want to make a big deal out of it. I mean, lots of people were rooting for him to win the title last year just because he had played so long and so hard and you really felt like he deserved it, but what hes done this year is just poor sportsmanship. Its really a bad example to set for younger kids, and if you are anywhere near the court, you can hear his insane trash talking. Seriously, getting on all four legs and taunting a rookie? Who does that? And how do you not call a technical foul on that? The funny thing is, he seems to pick on small guys a lot! Calderon, Ford, Bayless, I mean seriously.

This isnt a personal vendetta I have against him either. I never had a problem with him before this year, but I really hate this crap, and I hate how the league is seemingly ignoring it because he is "The Big Ticket".

[Gremz]

It's funny, I always thought of KG who let his game do the talking. Ever since his Minnesota days he was so sought after as someone who could take a team to the promised land with his game alone. I must admit i am extremely confused with his new mantra. Will i ever lose my respect for him? probably not. Do i think he needs to shut up and ball? At this point, i think it's the wisest decision.

[bruno sundov]

Boston fan here. KG has always played and talked this way. Now ESPN pays more attetntion to it because the celts are winning. In MIN KG got down on all fours and crawled like a tiger. He is intense and completely insane. As far as not liking the way he talks that is pretty much being a wimp. If a player doesnt like what he says on the court do something about it to get him to stop.

This is just KG being KG and we wouldnt have him any other way. Ask the soda board they will tell you the same thing.

Granger is the man and I see why Ainge wanted him instead of Gerald Green. He is just amazing. Last week when him and pierce went on the floor for the ball and he came up and his teeth were all busted up and he just kept on playing, that was great.

[notque]

I don't like players like KG, but it's a personal opinion.

I didn't care about him being stupid against the Pacers, but what he did to Bayless was classless. He's a kid man.

[chatard5]

TJ, you can be a LITTLE biased toward TJ, but I did laugh when I pictured TJ punching KG in the face.

[pacers33granger]

i used to like him in minnesota when it seemed like he was fired up to try and lead his team and just get them into the playoffs. but now its gotten ridiculous. i still like him but have lost a lot of respect for him.

however, pierce is the one i have a problem with. hes the 2nd best player on his team, and on some nights allen is better as well, yet he thinks hes the greatest player in the game today. great players dont lead their teams to the bottom of the league. before kg and allen came to boston he had one good season and walker was the team leader.

ray allen is the only celtic i have seen this year whose head didn't inflate to epic proportions after last season.

[Miller4ever]

ray allen is the only celtic i have seen this year whose head didn't inflate to epic proportions after last season.

And he's better this year while KG and Paul Pierce have been slipping a bit.

[pacers33granger]

ray allen is the only celtic i have seen this year whose head didn't inflate to epic proportions after last season.

And he's better this year while KG and Paul Pierce have been slipping a bit.

he also played the best out of the 3 in the finals and imo deserved finals mvp or at least kg, but not pierce.

i forgot to mention that perkins is the worst. dude acts like he deserves every call when hes just a role player at best. imo he wouldnt start for most teams other than ones who have a 4 like kg (i.e. duncan, amare, dirk).

i hate living in maine and having to watch the celtics more than any other team and listen to their fans. to me that one title does not make up for years of mediocrity by their players and team. only teams like the spurs or 00-02 lakers should be allowed to have that kinda swagger.

[sh00n]

He's done it enough times already - Calderon, Ridnour, Bayless, TJ. Dude is a (Please Use More Appropriate Word) and the Celtics are annoying in general - any team with three All-Stars can win the Championship when they have the refs playing with them.

[Grangerous]

yea i've always said if someone like KG was on my team i could not handle him...i mean it's good to be competive and in to the game but he just goes a little overboard....like when a whistle is blown and someone jacks up a shot just to shoot it he well go up and grap it every time that has always annoyed me.

[Grang33r]

I may be in the minority here, but i'd rather lose with pride and respect, then be a shameful winner with no class.

The Celtics are IMO the best team in Basketball. I'd put them above Cleveland and the Lakers. However, they have little to no class. Even last year in the playoffs, Eddie House on the bench kept yelling in players ears if they shot three pointers near the Celtics bench. It's disrespectful. They are a great team based on talent, but they think they are bigger then the game of Basketball and nobody is bigger then the game itself. I really think, Celtics will break Jordan's Bulls record for most wins in regular season and ride into the playoffs as the most hated team in the country. Everyone will cheer against them, just like everyone did in the super bowl between New England and the Giants.

I don't think the Celtics will repeat though.

[Miller4ever]

Celtic fans...man.

I went to a Celtics game last season as a Pacers fan, and Sam Wahlberg sat 5 feet away from me.

I've been the away team supporter before, but have you ever been verbally harassed by a celebrity rooting for the home team?

Lakers for a while, Celtics now, New England Patriots last year, and Yankees for a long time. Teams that just load up on ring-chasers, and are responsible (not single-handedly) of ruining the idea of loyalty to the hometown fans that drafted you, loved you as a rookie, and hoped you would deliver to the promised land. Cleveland will feel betrayed by LeBron, Toronto fans felt betrayed by Vince Carter.

That's why the Colts are amazing. They made their team, out of draft-day nobodies, some great stars, and no ring-chasing sellouts.