To The KG Doubters

20.2 points per game. 10.4 rebounds per game. 49% shooting from the field. 81% shooting from the line. Contagious, ball-hawking defense. That's what Kevin Garnett has brought to the table during the 2008 Playoffs. And, outside of the field goal percentage, those numbers are better than his averages over the entire regular season. A regular season which saw him sacrfice his individual numbers for the better of the team. A season which rewarded him with the adoration of an entire city, a DPOY award, chants of "M-V-P" from the Garden crowd, and a trip to the NBA Finals. So, where is this sudden negativity surrounding Kevin Garnett coming from? Simple logic tells me that it comes, mainly, from this: 16.6 points per game on 40% shooting, very little inside presence on offense, and 3 missed free throws late in Game 5. Indeed, the numbers indicate that Garnett is having an "off" series (though 16.6 points and nearly 13 boards per game is hardly poor). While the Celtics are up 3-2 heading into Game 6 tonight, you would think that it was they that were on the brink of elimination, and that KG was the cause. Well, I'm here to put an end to the nonsense that seems to be flooding the web-waves. There has been a lot of chatter, myself included, during the past couple of weeks regarding the lack of Garnett's offensive presence in the paint. And, in some ways, it's justifiable criticism. After all, he could own the paint against Pau Gasol 8 days/week. However