He seems to be speaking more from a standpoint of jealousy and loathing than admiration or respect.
I reckon it all depends on whether or not you're a fan of these Celtic players or not. That can affect your opinion of them as well. He doesn't sound to be a fan of them.
Admittedly, I'm not a Garnett fan and I haven't been a R. Wallace fan since he was with Portland. But Pierce and Ray are two of my favorite players. And I like Rondo and Perkins. Still, I can criticize those I like for things they've done wrong. I can be objective, something few NBA fans are capable of doing for players they like.
No matter, it comes with the territory when you're winning. Fans outside of the home fan base begin to despise you. I wouldn't have it any other way. It means they're (detractors) taking notice...
5. Boston Celtics
There's something unbelievably satisfying about watching a veteran team just take care of business no matter what, even if everyone guns for them.
Here's the problem: Boston is so damn unlikeable. Garnett and Rondo are punks. Perkins has developed some ridiculous fake swagger, the kind that results from riding the coattails of your four all-star caliber teammates. Rasheed Wallace needs no introduction, and Pierce is a chronic whiner that got carried off the floor by his teammates in the 2008 Finals, only to magically come back a few minutes later and be just fine.
I realize the very thing that makes them so great to watch (their intensity) also makes them annoying as hell. I also realize that without that "fire," that "intensity" or whatever, the Celtics become just an ordinary team. But goddammit, do I really have to watch Kevin Garnett bark at Jose Calderon, a guy 10 inches shorter than him, during a blowout?
http://www.sbnation.com/2009/12/14/1199 ... day-season