KG The Same, Exposure Has Changed

by Jeff Clark on Dec 15, 2008 8:22 AM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

John Karalis of the Examiner (and Red's Army) has a nice look at the change in perception of Kevin Garnett. In short, KG has always been this way. Now that he has tasted success and gotten a lot more scrutiny, people are starting to turn on him.

For more than a decade in Minnesota, you were beloved. People marveled at your ability. People loved your intensity. People used your loyalty as an example. You had everything. Why else would someone stuck on mediocre teams in a small market become a marketing God? Your intense emotions on the court were tempered by an infectious smile and polite demeanor off the court. Perfect.

Then you came to Boston. And you didn't notice it right away, but that's when people started to tear you down. Sure, people were happy to see you get your ring, but some people suddenly started scratching their heads about you.

"Did KG really get down on all fours?"

"Does KG really need to yell like that?"

"Does KG shut up at all on the court?"

What has changed about Garnett? Nothing but his address, really.

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All good points...

KG was as high profile as you can be in Minny. Which is remarkable when you consider his team’s lack of playoff success and the competition at PF (Brand, Dirk, Duncan, Amare, etc) in the Western Conference.

Now that’s he’s a Champ and in a huge Sports town with rabid media coverage, his every breath is considered. I put down all of this recent coverage as Media backlash. The ‘success’ thing is now tired for the press. They decided it’s time for a new angle.

by LuckyNumber07 on Dec 15, 2008 9:10 AM EST reply actions

Slow Morning

I concur with the observations about Antoine Walker—must be a slow morning. I’m not sure this is worth one post, much less two in three days.

by Page_and_Plant on Dec 15, 2008 9:15 AM EST reply actions

Anything's better than the summer weeks of "Will Posey resign with the Celtics?"

by no kidding on Dec 15, 2008 9:55 AM EST up reply actions

I think rock bottom...

was the daily Oden tanking watch from a couple years ago

that was painful on many levels

"Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." Michael Scott

by Jeff Clark on Dec 15, 2008 10:03 AM EST up reply actions

actually yeah

it has been a slow news morning

"Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me." Michael Scott

by Jeff Clark on Dec 15, 2008 9:29 AM EST reply actions

Tired Of People Beating Up ON KG

People just like to beat down a winner. KG is what he is. Let it be. I wonder how many Celtic fans are upset with the way KG plays and what he needs to do for himself to get him to play the way he does. Of course I hated it when he played for the T’Wolves, but only saw it twice a year. He had a verbal run in with Perk the year before he came to Boston. Perk probably didn’t like it then, but he sure loves it now. The chemistry between these two is incredible, similar to that between Dave Cowens and Paul Silas. I doubt Perk is holding a grudge. So let’s get on to something else.

by TrueGreen on Dec 15, 2008 9:42 AM EST reply actions

Thanks for the Silas, Cowens comparison

A lot of folks here are too young. Cowens was at least as intense as KG and would have been suspended for months for something like the Mike Newlin incident nowadays.The “now THAT was a …foul!” incident. His fellow players said as Russ would cross the baseline that he turned into Dracula. Bird was probably the most intense guy on those 80’s teams other than Ainge and he wasn’t anything at all like KG so this is the first time a lot of our fans have seen us with a guy like this. I am not tired of KG’s “act” and never will be. I am SO grateful that we have had the chance to see it and I hope it lasts longer than it would seem is possible

by wahz on Dec 15, 2008 11:35 AM EST reply actions