I'm a big fan of Kevin Garnett, but he has one habit I find particularly annoying.  It's nothing earth-shaking, but it is something he should dispense with. It's that whole pregame ritual of theatrically clapping resin over the scorer's table.  It's demeaning to others, a crass act of self-glorification, and decidedly low-class.  And yes, I know, Michael Jordan used to do it too, and yes, it was equally objectionable when he did it. 

Now Lebron James has an entire Nike commercial devoted to celebrating this same stupid routine.  How deplorable. To teach little kids this is the sort of nonsense you're supposed to indulge in when you think highly of yourself. Could anyone look more arrogant than James in this commercial?

I've mentioned this matter a time or two before on this blog, but I'm particularly glad a reporter has finally called out Garnett and Lebron on their behavior.  Here's the link (which thankfully was supplied by Celticsblog). http://lakers.freedomblogging.com/2009/01/18/lebrons-chalk-is-a-silent-killer-of-defenseless-laptops/9564/

The reporter made a handful of points, such as "the powdery stuff gets everywhere –especially in sports writers’ drinks when sitting courtside and even worse … in laptop keyboards". And, not surprisingly, he didn't mention how insulting it was to the reporters, announcers, and broadcasters it affected.

His final point was perhaps his best.  He noted Kobe Bryant doesn't engage in this practice, but instead, after getting his resin, "bends at the waist to lower his hands toward the floor, discreetly dispersing it with slow claps that keep it out of harm’s way." Gee, when Kobe's out classing your behavior and looking less arrogant, it's time to change your act.