question about an ex T-Wolves player

[snaquille oatmeal]

I am trying to solve a mistery about KG and I think you guys may have the answer.
here is the deal- we all know about his "intensity" and how it was a positive thing towars his image when he was in Minni, but it seems like it is a bad thing for his image now that he is in Boston. the KG I remember in Minni never pulled stuff like picking on the little Euros as he has recently.

the Boston fans claim that he was always that obnoxious and now that he is in a big market city people have noticed and that is why fans have turned on him.

was KG this bad in Minni or is his "intensity" misunderstood as a Celtic?

[casey]

KG's not "this bad" in Boston. People just can't call him a loser any more so they call him a punk.

[snaquille oatmeal]

KG's not "this bad" in Boston. People just can't call him a loser any more so they call him a punk.

I maybe biased because I am a Lakers fan and hate any Celtic anyway, but I never thought I would lose respect for him like I have this year.

the funny thing is that when he was in Minni I never thought of him as loser just a victim of a bad circumstance, but now I look at him like bully, or a sore winner.

[john2jer]

KG had his run in with Anthony Peeler, but no, he never really acted like this much. He was just really intense. I think the winning and Boston image has gone to his head. He doesn't seem to respect the game anymore, but at the same time he's trying to push the mentality that they're tough, won't give up anything easy, and really he's a twig, he has to stick to little Euro's to pick on.

[4ho5ive]

I honestly cant really recall anything like that when he was here. Maybe because he is in a bigger market maybe he feels he needs to push it to another level. I dont really know.

[casey]

KG's not "this bad" in Boston. People just can't call him a loser any more so they call him a punk.

I maybe biased because I am a Lakers fan and hate any Celtic anyway, but I never thought I would lose respect for him like I have this year.

the funny thing is that when he was in Minni I never thought of him as loser just a victim of a bad circumstance, but now I look at him like bully, or a sore winner.

The only thing I have a problem with that KG's done is with Calderon. All the other incidents (Bayless, Belinelli, etc) are insanely overblown.

[Steve_Holiday]

kg sucker-punched wally szczerbiak and rick rickert while he was with the wolves.

[mmaland]

My good friend Daddyfatsax from Twolvesblog sums it up the best:

“Where we stand depends largely upon where we sit.” This quote sums up many of these assumptions based on the misinformation you all seem to have been fed. The few games you've seen of Kevin Garnett and the few things read about him display a small part of him as a person and as a player. Undoubtedly some of it is associated with negative, emotional, immature outbursts. Frankly, it seems outright ignorant to judge a man based on watching a few months out of his almost 15 year career. Let’s not hold these men to standards we couldn’t hope to measure up to ourselves. Players like KG, Sheed, Artest, AI, Kobe, Josh Howard, Plexico, Randy Moss, etc. are all players that are great at sports and because of that are scrutinized for everything they do. Nobody gives a shyt about the good things they do, the leadership they exhibit, or the ubiquity of altruism oozing from some of these men’s pores. We simply catch them during human moments and proclaim them unfit to be role models.

I’ve followed KG since 95. I followed as he toiled in obscurity for 12 years without faltering ONCE in the ways that so many others in the spotlight have. As Randy Moss was judged for not being the perfect role model KG just kept it moving, giving us solace in the fact that we’ll never wake up to find out KG’s out on bail for gun charges or for running over a parking attendant. We knew that no matter how selfish Marbury would become, no matter how inept McHale would prove to be, how unaware Glen Taylor would be, how stupid Spree would be, how fragile Terrell Brandon would be, or how bad the franchise would be, KG would be an unwavering sign of commitment. He wouldn’t bad mouth people in public, but might periodically punch a teammate in practice.

I matriculated through high school and college finding some comfort in the fact even though KG took a ridiculous contract (oh no, another sign of him being human) he displayed a sense for his social responsibility unseen in this state, ever. As other celebrities spent their time occupying our gossip conversations KG spent time being courted by Oprah and in the communities, carrying out what Oprah proclaimed a mission by a man big enough to realize just how small he is in this world.

On the court, I’ve watched a young man do some impressive, unfathomably athletic, and talented things. I’ve watched him do some straight out strange things. I’ve watched him do some stupid things. After watching him never throw in the towel even when he was surrounded by Ricky Davis and Mike James as second fiddles (I’m embarrassed to even say that) one gains an appreciation for his commitment to the game. After watching his countless emotional interviews, most memorably the John Thompson interview, one understands how dedicated to achievement he is. Then I’ve also seen him get down on all fours, something he started in the late 90’s (to the best of my knowledge) and has done when he is pumped up and intent on imposing his will on the defensive end. Disrespectful or not, it’s fun(ny?) to watch and always makes me chuckle. There could be much more disrespectful situations than that.

I remember KG crossing AC Green over so bad he slipped out of bounds, then continuing to the hoop for a dunk only to get thrown to the ground by the Big Fella. He got up clapping in Shaq’s face to let him know he wasn’t fazed. Shaq proceeded to dunk on him a few possessions later, proving that he’s not the one to aggravate. KG has since learned his lesson there. He also slapped Duncan in the back of the head after Joe Smith and The Admiral got a little heated. Duncan responded by sheepishly growling at KG and running to Pop to ask if he could file a police report or something. KG’s continued to be an annoying pest to Duncan as he gets away with it. He’s punched Wally and Rickert. As a Wolf he’s gone face to face with A. Peeler, McDyess, Sheed, Christie, Clifford Robinson (probably because he could NEVER score on him, fyck I hated that), and countless others. When the confrontations worked, he kept it up, when it didn’t, he quit. I suppose that makes him a bit of a bully on the court. He messes with people if it intimidates them and doesn’t if it’s not worth the hassle. Anyway, these situations don’t even account for his post Wolves’ altercations, which have been much better documented because he’s now in the spotlight.

The above paragraph proves he’s prone to the immaturity of a man as flawed as the rest of us. He's less prone to ever provoke Shaq again because he visibly lost that battle. He's more likely to prod Zaza Pachulia again. But then again Kobe got beat up by Reggie Miller and Chris Childs. Michael Jordan was the biggest A-Hole of all time...and he cheated on his wife. Shyt, even MLK Jr. compromised his fidelity time and time again while on the road. That's called being human. I know my place, and it's not in passing judgments on others' lives based on what they don't do, because then I'm missing out on what they have done.

“Let everyone sweep in front of their own door and the whole world will be clean.” Let’s worry less about what others aren’t perfect at and start worrying about what we, the everyday people who are no less important in straightening our spokes in the wheel of life, are doing to make our contribution felt.

[deeney0]

KG is the same as he ever was, he's just under a larger and more biased microscope now than he ever has been before. If you don't love KG's passion for the game, you don't love basketball.

[A1FromDay1]

mmaland's post - best of the year.

What's that thing with KG getting on all four ?

[shrink]

Part of this is because we measure people's character by comparing them to our own, both positively and negatively. Also, while the individual attributes extreme behaviors to circumstances, we attribute them to character. For example, Randy Moss probably believes it was "circumstances" that caused him to continually bump a traffic officer, while we attribute it to "aggressiveness."

For several years, the basic national news story on Kevin Garnett was, "How can he remain loyal to lousy Minnesota for years, without demanding a trade (and generally, a trade to their own big market team of LAL or CHI). Most NBA players would do that and I'd do it too! That guy is all about loyalty!"

Now, after Garnett was almost forced to go to BOS (remember, he personally nixed the first trade there), he's now in a place where everyone else would be. As the media tries to write new stories about KG, they try to find new behavior that's different than the readers, so they can again redefine Garnett. So expect them to look for extreme circumstances of behavior unusual to most of us.

Finally, as a Laker fan, you should appreciate the rivalry in your local news. Kobe was voted MVP, but KG beat him for the ring, and he's far more loved than Kobe by the average NBA fan .. check the All Star balloting. Kobe is the black hat to most NBA fans, and KG wears white. You can expect an extra does of "..but look! KG is a dirty player!" in your local media. In MIN, KG could be portrayed heroically, because he and the Wolves were rarely a threat to the Lakers. However, now that he's in BOS, remember there are a lot of news consumers in California that national news sources will try to accomodate you to attract readers, so try to keep your source's best interests in mind.

[Steve_Holiday]

Unfair or not, it's about time some of these aspects of KG's persona are criticized in the media. He was untouchable while in Minnesota. How many other players can get away with sucker-punching teammates in the face? KG's on-court antics have been few and far between, considering the amount of minutes he's amassed over the years. However, I can't recall a time where KG actually stood up to a player his own size without taking a cheap shot.

Unlike Daddyfatsax, I don't feel the need to give KG a free pass just because he hasn't been arrested and wore the same uniform for a long time. To answer the original poster's question, it is true that these recent incidents are a continuation of a theme, but it didn't used to be as frequent as it is now.

[A1FromDay1]

Can anyone tell more about this: "Then I’ve also seen him get down on all fours, something he started in the late 90’s (to the best of my knowledge) "? Thanks.

[john2jer]

Can anyone tell more about this: "Then I’ve also seen him get down on all fours, something he started in the late 90’s (to the best of my knowledge) "? Thanks.

I think this is in reference to after a big offensive play or in crucial moments, back on the defensive end he'll slap the ground, kind of linger there, and looks like he's growling. He's attempting to pump up his teammates and the crowd.

Scariest twig you'll ever see.

Oh and to clarify what I said earlier.

KG's kind of proving to be a knucklehead on the court at times picking on little guys because he knows he can't handle the Dwight Howards and other big guys with size. And even though I think he's been a punk at times in his career, his emotion, energy, and passion is second to none. I think Iverson's probably the only player in recent memory to come close to KG.

But off the court, you never hear about KG getting in trouble, in fact he's one of the best humanitarians in the league, constantly donating to charities and other worthwhile causes. He's definitely used his good fortune for the well being of others. I have mad respect for that.

On a larger picture though, 99% of basketball "fights" or "run-ins" or "altercations" are pathetic. Not that I condone fighting in sports, unless it's hockey, but if you're going to take cheap shots, push, and swing at your opponent, don't do it while running away. Carmelo is the poster boy for this, but sadly isn't the only one. Either man up or shut up.

[snaquille oatmeal]

Part of this is because we measure people's character by comparing them to our own, both positively and negatively. Also, while the individual attributes extreme behaviors to circumstances, we attribute them to character. For example, Randy Moss probably believes it was "circumstances" that caused him to continually bump a traffic officer, while we attribute it to "aggressiveness."

For several years, the basic national news story on Kevin Garnett was, "How can he remain loyal to lousy Minnesota for years, without demanding a trade (and generally, a trade to their own big market team of LAL or CHI). Most NBA players would do that and I'd do it too! That guy is all about loyalty!"

Now, after Garnett was almost forced to go to BOS (remember, he personally nixed the first trade there), he's now in a place where everyone else would be. As the media tries to write new stories about KG, they try to find new behavior that's different than the readers, so they can again redefine Garnett. So expect them to look for extreme circumstances of behavior unusual to most of us.

Finally, as a Laker fan, you should appreciate the rivalry in your local news. Kobe was voted MVP, but KG beat him for the ring, and he's far more loved than Kobe by the average NBA fan .. check the All Star balloting. Kobe is the black hat to most NBA fans, and KG wears white. You can expect an extra does of "..but look! KG is a dirty player!" in your local media. In MIN, KG could be portrayed heroically, because he and the Wolves were rarely a threat to the Lakers. However, now that he's in BOS, remember there are a lot of news consumers in California that national news sources will try to accomodate you to attract readers, so try to keep your source's best interests in mind.

you guys have been great with your insights. it gives me a better picture of KG and a better understanding of all the KG threads in the general board. thanks again