Kevin Garnett is easily one of the best power forwards in NBA history. His length, scoring ability combined with rebounding and defensive presence has bothered opponents since he came into the league two decades ago. I’m all for KG praise even though the ultimate accomplishment of his basketball career came against my team the Los Angeles Lakers when he led Boston to its first title since the mid eighty’s.
KG is known for an incredible intangible that he possesses besides his physical attributes. He is definitely one of the best and notable trash talkers of all time, whether it is vs a quiet HOF like Tim Duncan or a much younger opponent like Charlie Villanueva that he’s facing. KG never discriminated or did he? I can think of plenty of players who came to blows even though they weren’t necessarily “tough guys.” Even Reggie Miller and Kobe reenacted rocky two a few years back. For all the times I saw KG scream, keep pushing and blocking shots when plays were done and sometimes getting in all star caliber players heads (see Pau Gasol in the 08 finals) I never once saw him actually fight. The one time I remember things getting serious was vs Anthony Peeler and that was Peeler tapping KG’s jaw seemingly giving that boy some act right.
Yesterday KG threw the ball at Dwight Howard resulting in a one game suspension without pay. Superman another barker with no bite mirrored KG pretending to want to get to KG after they’d been separated. All I could think was that both players were the biggest men on the floor maybe even the arena, if they wanted to get close they could. Now I don’t support violence but maybe just once I’d like to see Garnett be “crazy” vs Ron Artest, Rasheed Wallace, Stephen Jackson, Z-Bo or new school rough neck Boogie Cousins. Wishful thinking, the HOF knows his lane and has had an incredible career staying in it.
