Working Early And Often

by Jeff Clark on Sep 4, 2007 5:25 AM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

I believe this is Marc Spears' first article for the Globe. He reports on Kevin Garnett's work ethic (something that I hope rubs off on the rest of the players).

Garnett is among more than 20 NBA players working out under the Abunassar Impact Basketball system at the Tarkanian Basketball Academy, but none may be taking it more seriously. For more than a week, the 10-time All-Star has been the first player to arrive for his six-day-a-week workouts. In fact, Garnett has been starting at 7 a.m. since arriving Aug. 27, and he began an hour later yesterday only because Joe Abunassar wanted his employees to have an extra hour of sleep on the holiday.
"I like my footprints to be the first in the sand," Garnett said.
Said Abunassar: "He's a [workout] freak and always has been. He likes to come in and get it done."

Also, we have word that Garnett will be coming to town to join his teammates already working in Waltham.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers would like his players to be in Boston for pre-training camp workouts by Sunday. According to Abunassar, Garnett is expected to arrive in Boston as early as tomorrow.
Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said Garnett and guard Ray Allen have been calling their new teammates to get in early for voluntary workouts. According to Ainge, 8-10 Celtics have been working out, voluntarily, at the Waltham facility on a consistent basis.

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Be good for the lads to get together before training camp, a lot of new faces coming in that need to learn to play together. It all helps.
Those 8-10 celtics are probably all the non-vets.

by Who on Sep 4, 2007 5:31 AM EDT reply actions

There was someone else besides Garnette at the early, holiday workout……the writer; Spears.

Mark told us that he loved hoops and this would seem to be an indication.

It looks like we’ve added winners here, both on the court and off.

by JB_Celticsstuff on Sep 4, 2007 5:40 AM EDT reply actions

you love the game, you love to practice, and you play the game like you practice. i hope clifford ray can show garnett a few things to help him out.

by nazzbo on Sep 4, 2007 6:29 AM EDT reply actions

we’ve added KG-our best player,highest paid,hardest working,a big man to boot….what a combo

by Motown on Sep 4, 2007 6:55 AM EDT reply actions

this is like we had our Christmas morning, but we can’t have our presents until 3 months later – maddening!

by Jeff Clark on Sep 4, 2007 7:00 AM EDT reply actions

I’m so used to hearing about all these players with so much talent, and “upside”, and potential, who could be so great if they only had the work ethic of crappy, talentless guys, and I always wonder if any of them actually do.

Then I realize that Garnett is that guy. It also makes me think he’s got a decent chance to remain dominant for another 3-4 years.

by No Look Shot on Sep 4, 2007 7:02 AM EDT reply actions

Perk already has this kind of work ethic. He only took 2 days off and then was back at hard workouts. I think this is why Perk and Garnett will get along just fine.

by FLCeltsFan @ CelticsBlog on Sep 4, 2007 7:06 AM EDT reply actions

This is going to be a fun season…strap in everyone.

by mcpu40 on Sep 4, 2007 7:12 AM EDT reply actions

Nice way to come back from Vacation and keep smiling about the Celtics…..

It’s great to hear about Garnett and his work ethic, hopefully that will rub off on the likes of Perkins, Rondo, Allen & Company. What’s gratifying to me was listening to a bunch of New Yorkers all week talk to me not only about the Yankees, but how many feel that the Knicks are the team to beat in the east… Needless to say I had some heated discussions with them and mentioned the Characters on there team versus our team.

With the work ethic of Pierce, Allen, and Garnett there is less room for anyone else on the team to slack off without being reprimanded by one of the big 3. That’s the difference with our team versus the Knicks.

Make no mistake that the Celtics will have a lot of pressure on them this season, but our guys in my opinion will be able to handle it.

Yup, great to be back,,,, Can’t wait to see the Knicks in last in our division!!!!

by Ancient Red on Sep 4, 2007 7:48 AM EDT reply actions

Jeff, we’ve got our presents and we know exactly what they are..they came opened,just can’t use them yet….and we may get more…lol…a great thing

by Motown on Sep 4, 2007 7:52 AM EDT reply actions

Articles like this one is why I don’t share some of the chemistry concerns that others may have.

by docextension on Sep 4, 2007 9:00 AM EDT reply actions

Garnett is an excellent player with a very strong work
ethic. He will be an excellent example to the young player on how a great player takes care of his business. It is going to be a fun 3 or 4 years around here now. When the Knicks try that rinky dink 2-3 zone,
Doc can station KG at the foul line to hit open 15 footers.

by Greg37 on Sep 4, 2007 9:26 AM EDT reply actions

I’m sure the naysayers are saying that he’s working out too hard.

by Mon on Sep 4, 2007 9:39 AM EDT reply actions

This article reminds me of the scene in Return of the Jedi when Vader informs the dude in charge of building the Death Star that the Emperor is coming to oversee the final stages of the construction.

by dobbs on Sep 4, 2007 10:17 AM EDT reply actions

Does Garnett have school age children? This is the week that school starts in Eastern Massachusetts, so it’s logical that players with families would start showing up now.

by Brickowski on Sep 4, 2007 10:46 AM EDT reply actions

I’m still trying to figure out how this is a headline…even in a blog. Garnett has had a ferocious workout regimen since he came into the league.

by iowa plowboy on Sep 4, 2007 10:46 AM EDT reply actions

3 words for ya iowa, “slow news week”

by Jeff Clark on Sep 4, 2007 11:06 AM EDT reply actions

I’ve always liked Garnett but now that I’m following him more closely I have to say that the guy is as impressive off the court as on. I don’t take this lightly when I say Garnett has IT. That is the intensity of a champion. If this guy doesn’t get a ring it will be a crime. He’s up there with Larry, Magic and Jordan as far as pure intensity for the game goes.

by The Real Large James on Sep 4, 2007 11:31 AM EDT reply actions

Why is Doc still coaching this team?

by The Real Large James on Sep 4, 2007 12:56 PM EDT reply actions

^^ :D

by Dirk on Sep 4, 2007 1:52 PM EDT reply actions

2007-08 Memo to Scal:

Stop by the Sporting Goods store on your way to pre-season workouts.

Leave your snack cookies and high fructose corn syrup drink in the car.

Go into the store (jog please)

Get a bigger jock and a nose guard – you’ll be expected to rebound this year and get your nose dirty.

While you’re in the store go over to the weight section and re-familarize yourself with what these strange things look like. Pick up the ones shaped like “doughnuts” and keep lifting them. If you get the urge to stop and rest then….

….Come back out to your car and head straight to New Jersey ((do not stop)

Thank you – Celtic Management and KG

by Master Po on Sep 4, 2007 2:16 PM EDT reply actions

Brickowski said:
Does Garnett have school age children? This is the week that school starts in Eastern Massachusetts, so it’s logical that players with families would start showing up now.

- For someone who thinks he knows EVERYTHING, one would think that you would know that KG has no kids. hahahahahahahahahahaha

by Rainman on Sep 4, 2007 3:11 PM EDT reply actions

Well Rainman, I don’t know if you have school age children either, but from your post above, my guess is that you are too young to have them.

by Brickowski on Sep 4, 2007 4:43 PM EDT reply actions

Lay off of him Rainman, he is a Raptors fan now, so he’s not supposed to know that type of stuff anymore.

by KobraKaii on Sep 4, 2007 5:50 PM EDT reply actions

Oh Great One, Scal could take off 10lbs by removing his implants…..would you be okay with him on the roster then?

I doubt it’ll help his rebounding, though. Or the “intangibles”.

by iowa plowboy on Sep 4, 2007 5:53 PM EDT reply actions

I’m willing to bet that if you took 90% of the guys on this post who complain about Scal’s weight and put them in a lineup with Scal without shirts, that he wouldn’t look half as chubby as everyone seems to comment. I know we aren’t paid to be professional athletes, but I think we go a little overboard here considering your biggest hobby is sitting your fat butt at a computer screen and pretending you are part of something important.

by EJPLAYA on Sep 4, 2007 7:56 PM EDT reply actions

Hey I am 49 years old, 4 knee surgeries (basketball) 2 bulging discs in my neck (basketball) bulging disc in my lower back (I assume basketball) and I hurt like hell every single day!!!!!!!!!! Yet tonight I went to the gym with my 14 year old daughter lifted weights, elipitical trianer and shot some baskets. I just try hard to be the best I can be at my age. If I want to comment on some guy making three million a year who looks to me to “not be in top shape” and MAYBE not trying his best (I have no idea) I will do so!!!! I will continue to give my opinion/humor/insight when I want – you don’t like it EJPLAYA? then don’t read it!!!! If you got something else to say I’d like to hear it, but please don’t ever comment about my butt unless you’ve seen it – Got it?

by Master Po on Sep 4, 2007 9:28 PM EDT reply actions

Jeez, Brick, did someone steal your toys when you were a kid? You are terminally jaded. I recommend Zoloft.

by Cousin It on Sep 4, 2007 9:32 PM EDT reply actions

i never saw any resemblance before, but holy cow, kg looks a lot like john salley in this picture and that is scary.

by nazzbo on Sep 4, 2007 9:49 PM EDT reply actions

I can feel the love in this blog cant you?

by havlicekstoletheball on Sep 5, 2007 3:55 AM EDT reply actions

thats enough pot shots at Brick – I’m sorry I called him out before, I didn’t mean to start a trend

by Jeff Clark on Sep 5, 2007 7:24 AM EDT reply actions

Well maybe if Brick wasn’t so self-righteous people would be more apt to leave him alone…..

by Rainman on Sep 5, 2007 8:22 AM EDT reply actions

and that’s exactly the kind of swipe that I’m talking about

next one gets you a vacation Rainman

by Jeff Clark on Sep 5, 2007 8:41 AM EDT reply actions

Ok, I’m done.

No vacations for me please.

by Rainman on Sep 5, 2007 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

Jeff,
I didn’t notice you calling him out previously, and sorry for the swipe. I typically am a Brick defender and don’t like people trying to stifle criticism, but his comment about Garnett only being in Boston because of the schoolchildren he doesn’t have was so ridiculous and over the top, it really seemed like he was goading people to come after him. My mistake was taking him up on it.

by Cousin It on Sep 5, 2007 10:38 AM EDT reply actions

Po – In all of the posts I have seen you write, I have never seen one so upset! Wow! – A couple quick reminders on my post Po -

First, I said 90%, so unless you are in that bunch I don’t know why you would take it personal.

Secondly, you have no idea what Scal does to workout any more than I know what you do to keep in your obvious top shape. (until now) Your opinion is fine as to his conditioning, but when people start throwing things out like he has implants, then me throwing out the idea that we might be a little over the top seems to be justified. Sure Plowboy was trying to be funny, but that comment seems to be beneath Celtics fans.

Thirdly, I would direct your comment right back at you. If you don’t like what I say in mine, then you can take your own advice and not read it. You are one of the funnier posters on here, and usually level headed, so I choose to continue reading yours even with your snap into nasty-ville.

by EJPLAYA on Sep 5, 2007 4:03 PM EDT reply actions

Jeff – How is it that people take semi-potshots on here all day long and only Brick gets defended? It’s too bad. When you called him out you were right on that day. It was over the top. Everyone should be held to the same standard. I for one don’t mind the back and forth as long as it doesn’t become hateful or have a racial or bigoted tone to it. I enjoy the banter with Brick…

by EJPLAYA on Sep 5, 2007 4:07 PM EDT reply actions

EJ,
Good point on Scal. For some reason, the big, goofy white guy is always an easy target. But I would bet his body fat is lower than mine by a long shot.

by Cousin It on Sep 6, 2007 12:42 AM EDT reply actions