Kevin Garnett entered the NBA in 1995 as a 1st round draft pick of the Minessota Timberwolves. He spent 12 long years trying to take a small franchise to a large stage. The farthest they got was the Western Conference Finals against the Lakers in 2004. The Timberwolves haven't even smelled anything that close since.
I gurantee you that if the Timberwolves hadn't traded KG to Boston he would still be there. KG is that loyal of a player and person. Now Boston has that loyal player and person. As last season showed they were glad to have him. KG has been one of the top 3 most consistent players in the league over the last 10 years. His numbers were down last year and that wasn't because KG played on a lower level than years past. KG finally played on a team. Yes, that is a short sentance but that is exactly what the Boston Celtics are, a team. It doesn't matter to them who gets what stats but that the team gets the win.
There seems to be a building annimocity towards KG these days for his physical style of play and what some call "trash talk". The NBA is a physical league. If it weren't the players would still look like they did back in the 50's and 60's. I have been to many NBA games over the years and I would say that 90% of the players "talk trash". The situation with that is some do it jokingly and some do it seriously. Some players let it go and some don't.
I have known KG since the 9th grade and I have the upmost respect for what he has accomplished in his life. The one thing I wish he would change is his language on the court. However, it must be something about our age group because we were all emotional players at whatever sport we played. KG is one of the nicest most genuine guys I have ever known. The KG you see on the court is not the KG of real life. Unless you have played the game you have no idea what it is like to get yourself "pumped up" for 82 games each season plus the playoffs. Every player has his own way of preparing for and playing the game.
I love to watch KG play the game. For those of you that don't know KG has played the game pretty much the same since he picked up a basketball all those years ago. The emotion that KG displays on the court flows right into the stands and elevates the experience for the fans. I bet that is the main reason why some people come to the games. You can almost compare it to a good movie when an actor really gets you wrapped into their character. At times you forget that you are just watching a movie that was made in Hollywood. KG does the same thing to you during the game.
If you go to the arena early first you see him in warm ups already sweating more than most people will in a lifetime. Then right before tip he goes through his routine with the goal and bumping his chest and everything else. If your heart rate hasn't elevated yet you aren't alive. Then, when the ball is jumped the real treat begins. KG brings everything he has each time he steps on that court. You might say that can't be possible or that all players take nights off when they might drag a little. Not KG. He has more respect for the game of basketball than most of you do for your own mothers.
The reason why so many people seem to have problems with the way that KG plays is because they don't have anything in their life they are truly that passionate about. If there is one thing that you must learn from KG it is his work ethic. No one works harder day in and day out than KG.
KG isn't going to play forever unfortunately, so we better enjoy him while he is still around because we sure will miss him when he is gone!
Here's to banner #18. Go Celtics!
