Kevin Garnett appreciation thread

[Jay-B]

Was watching highlights of his career on NBA TV. How good was prime Kevin Garnett? Dude was a straight beast, I feel like he had a lot of wasted years in Minnesota and his interviews with late great Craig Sager were legendary. Is KG top 5 PF all time?

[ELITEpower23]

Amazing defender
Above average scorer
Scored more than 24 a season ONCE

[Im Still Ballin]

He lacked GOAT level offense -- couldn't "turn it up" in the post season like Dirk, Chuck, Malone and Duncan.

[ELITEpower23]

He lacked GOAT level offense -- couldn't "turn it up" in the post season like Dirk, Chuck, Malone and Duncan.

This

[Reggie43]

Could have scored more if he wanted to but was always team first and unselfish to a fault.
https://youtu.be/ynKnvtNp56c

[1987_Lakers]

He lacked GOAT level offense -- couldn't "turn it up" in the post season like Dirk, Chuck, Malone and Duncan.

True, but his defensive peak is one of the greatest ever. I still marvel at how he was able to transform the Celtics into one of the greatest defensive teams ever in '08 despite not really having defensive stoppers in that starting 5. It's the greatest defensive season ever by a non center in my eyes.

[ralph_i_el]

There are few things more valuable in basketball than a legit big man who can defend perimeter scorers too.

KG was the epitome of light on his feet on defense.

He was a really good offensive player too. He didn't have the best strength and touch around the rim. What he did have was a good J with a high release and good elevation. He also was a high iq passer.

[ELITEpower23]

True, but his defensive peak is one of the greatest ever. I still marvel at how he was able to transform the Celtics into one of the greatest defensive teams ever in '08 despite not really having defensive stoppers in that starting 5. It's the greatest defensive season ever by a non center in my eyes.

A Tony Allen and KG tandem is pretty devestating

[86Celtics]

Could have scored more if he wanted to but was always team first and unselfish to a fault.
https://youtu.be/ynKnvtNp56c

This

[AussieSteve]

Could have scored more if he wanted to but was always team first and unselfish to a fault.
https://youtu.be/ynKnvtNp56c

NEVER scored more than 35 points in a playoff game. Not once.

[Whoah10115]

As good as Duncan.

[999Guy]

Led a little offensive dynasty with scrubs and scrap parts in Minnesota and led the greatest defense of the modern era in Boston. People need to put into perspective how rare of a talent you have to be to do that. Shaq damn sure couldn’t do that.

Nowitzki and Barkley wouldn’t come close.

Duncan never led a top offense ever.

Only Hakeem, Kareem, Wilt, and D-Rob are that good on offense and defense to come close to something similar.

And those are all Centers. With the exception of Hakeem none of them had even close to Garnett’s quickness and handle, and overall skill.

[BigShotBob]

All that "legendary defense" didn't stop Dirk from torching him. So....

[Nowitness]

Built for the regular season, couldn’t raise his game when it mattered. Take away 04 and 08 he is Chris Webber (just flip the offence for defence). Still a top 25 player all time, but shooting 20 foot fade-aways instead of taking easy baskets hurt him.

[Nowitness]

Led a little offensive dynasty with scrubs and scrap parts in Minnesota and led the greatest defense of the modern era in Boston. People need to put into perspective how rare of a talent you have to be to do that. Shaq damn sure couldn’t do that.

Nowitzki and Barkley wouldn’t come close.

Duncan never led a top offense ever.

Only Hakeem, Kareem, Wilt, and D-Rob are that good on offense and defense to come close to something similar.

And those are all Centers. With the exception of Hakeem none of them had even close to Garnett’s quickness and handle, and overall skill.

But Duncan was the primary offensive weapon on at least 3 title teams? KG wasn’t. And whilst KG was a more versatile defender no one who watched basketball would say KG was a more impactful defender than Duncan. TD was the best interior defender not named Hakeem, KG was a gimmick because he could switch on a pick and roll.

[ELITEpower23]

NEVER scored more than 35 points in a playoff game. Not once.

That is so bad.

Never had a season above 24.2 either.

[Whoah10115]

Useless everywhere.

Duncan had one season at 25.2. Two seasons over 23. So, in total, not above KG in the way described. Also, most of the people who have "seriously watched basketball" have KG ahead as a defender. KG is the best defensive PF ever.

He also averaged a lot more assists and ran the offense, and led the league in rebounding like 4 times.

Feel free to make some criticisms, but look at the competition and look at his teams. Please, don't be useless.

[Lion's pride]

I am really apprehensive about this next comment, but here goes...

Can people on here try to be open minded for at least one minute and ask your self this question..

What if KG spent his entire career under the brilliant coach POP, while having such perfect compliments of talent and role players such as SA/Duncan had, and then give Duncan an most of his prime career to the TWolves… who had Sprewell, Wally Serbiak and Sam Casell has your best teammates :facepalm

We can only make theories since it can't be proven... But KG was the perfect Superstar IMO and that he could impact the game with the ball and without it.. Post up or spot up (all the way to 3pointers) .. All while demanding the greatest defensive effort while leading by example..

I respect Duncan but would take KG over Duncan anytime... KG #1 PF for me..

[dankok8]

KG not getting credit as the best player on the 2008 Celtics is one of the biggest travesties in NBA history and hurts his legacy. Because Pierce won the Finals MVP, Garnett gets stuck with the "couldn't take over in the clutch label". Guess what. It gets conveniently ignored that KG was the highest scorer (and of course best player easily) in each of the first three rounds of the playoffs in 2008 and two of those series went to 7 games. In fact Celtics were pushed much harder in each of those series than against the Lakers. And Garnett set the tone in so many games like in Game 6 of the Finals. He was a monster in the closeout game and Celtics blew out the Lakers...

[Nowitness]

I am really apprehensive about this next comment, but here goes...

Can people on here try to be open minded for at least one minute and ask your self this question..

What if KG spent his entire career under the brilliant coach POP, while having such perfect compliments of talent and role players such as SA/Duncan had, and then give Duncan an most of his prime career to the TWolves… who had Sprewell, Wally Serbiak and Sam Casell has your best teammates :facepalm

We can only make theories since it can't be proven... But KG was the perfect Superstar IMO and that he could impact the game with the ball and without it.. Post up or spot up (all the way to 3pointers) .. All while demanding the greatest defensive effort while leading by example..

I respect Duncan but would take KG over Duncan anytime... KG #1 PF for me..

Duncans 2003 team was the worst supporting cast to ever win a championship. Yet Duncan dragged them to a title, KG on bad teams in his prime missed the playoffs. Even if KG’s post 04 teams were worse than Duncan’s 03, the difference between missing the playoffs and winning the title is astronomical. Pop did nothing before or after Duncan. KG is third all time behind TD and Dirk, and the gap between TD and Dirk historically is at least 15 spots.

[bizil]

When u factor numbers, defense, and positional versatility on both sides of the court as a package, the best ALL AROUND PF ever! Giannis of course can take that crown. Just needs more longevity being a great player. AD is in that race too. BUT KG was the BLUEPRINT! Even if u break it down skill for skill (actual scoring skillset, passing, handles, defense, rebounding as a package), KG is the most gifted PF ever.

He's the first POSITIONLESS type of 6'11 and up player on the both sides of the court. Freak athlete at 7'0 who defended 2-5! And on offense played as a SF, point forward, PF, and C. Among the ALL TIME GREAT rebounding (four rebounding titles), passing (averaged 6 dimes in seasons), and defenders (DPOY) EVER at the PF. And from there was a very good scorer maxing out at 24 PPG.

He and Dirk were THE GUYS most responsible for 6'11 and up positionless (KG) AND stretch (Dirk) players. The decline in dominant low post 7 footers could be attributed to them in some ways. BECAUSE younger bigs wanted play like those two. BUT they didn't have the skillset to be DOMINANT like them. And they didn't work on the low post stuff ENOUGH to become dominant at it. KG was just ahead of his time and was just born to play the way he did at that size. KG and Dirk are unicorns. Not many guys AFTER them came close to their skillsets at that size.

[RRR3]

He lacked GOAT level offense -- couldn't "turn it up" in the post season like Dirk, Chuck, Malone and Duncan.
When the hell did Malone “turn it up” in the playoffs? :roll:

Dude’s efficiency CRATERED in the playoffs.

[Whoah10115]

Duncans 2003 team was the worst supporting cast to ever win a championship. Yet Duncan dragged them to a title, KG on bad teams in his prime missed the playoffs. Even if KG’s post 04 teams were worse than Duncan’s 03, the difference between missing the playoffs and winning the title is astronomical. Pop did nothing before or after Duncan. KG is third all time behind TD and Dirk, and the gap between TD and Dirk historically is at least 15 spots.

Nice avatar.