I gotta' tell you, the recent slide of the Boston Celtics could be the foreshadowing of some very satisfying poetic justice. For those of you who have yet to drop in on the National Basketball Association regular season, I don't blame you at all—I've really only got one eye on it myself.
And that's how I almost missed the developing story surrounding one Kevin Garnett and his defending champion Celtics.
After jumping out to one of the best (if not the very best) starts in NBA history, Boston has hit a bit of a rough patch. The C's have lost five of seven. Even worse—actually better as you will see—three of those five losses came to some of the midgets of the 2008-2009 season to date.
First, Garnett and company lost to the Golden State Warriors. My guys were 8-22 at the time. I wrote about this game as an unacceptable, yet classic example of NBA coasting. In hindsight, I may have been wrong.
Then the defending Champs lost to the New York Knickerbockers, who were 12-19 at the time. From what I can gather, the Knicks are more interested in prepping for the post-2010 free agency sweepstakes than they are in competing for the next two campaigns.
Additionally, I seem to remember vague whisperings about a inchoate rivalry between New York and Boston.
Most recently Boston lost to the 12-22 Charlotte Bobcats, who are not to be confused with the Cincinnati Bearcats (although the temptation is there).
Before I get to the delicious hints of justice in these three losses, I need to qualify them in the interest of not looking incredibly naive (and dumber than I usually look). Boston is still one of the best teams in the NBA and really only needs to consider a handful of other teams as serious contenders to its throne.
That group arguably includes only the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic, and Denver Nuggets.
Furthermore, this rough stretch follows a 19-game win streak that spurted the C's out to a 27-2 start. That would be the best start by pure record in the history of the NBA. And the other two losses of the five were to the Lakers (who seem to have returned to monster status) and the Portland Trailblazers (who are already good and promise to get even better once Greg Oden gets his legs under him/head around the professional game).
There is no shame in either of those losses.
Oh yeah, and that seven-game jag includes one, count 'em ONE, home game. Boston won that one against the woeful Washington Wizards, who are lucky that's hard to say otherwise they'd see it in print more often.
Still, given the recent antics of Kevin Garnett, I see hope in those three losses to the Warriors, Knicks, and Bobcats.
It's one of the bigger non-stories that the media has largely ignored—Garnett's outright jack-assery. Seriously, how was it not the leading story for several days that one of the best players in the league and leader of the defending NBA Champions got down on all fours to bark at/menace an opposing player?
Especially given all the other examples of Little Kevin trying to bully players half his size and/or even less that fraction of his superstar status.
Zaza Pachulia? Jerryd Bayless (a rookie)? Jose Calderon? Anthony Peeler (who gave him an awesome short left elbow—I would not want to fight Anthony Peeler, he looks like he knows what he is doing and would f*ck up Kevin Garnett)? Marco Belinelli?
I guess you have to give him credit for taking a weakass cheap shot at Tim Duncan since TD's at least Garnett's size and caliber. Of course, Duncan's also one of the classiest guys in all of sports and Little Kevin slapped him in the back of the head when TD wasn't looking.
And that's one of KG's braver moments.
Let's not forget an incident with another young player who is trying to establish himself— LaMarcus Aldridge.
I think it's an understatement to say things are going sideways when Jalen Rose is the voice of reason.
You can get away with that stuff in Minnesota when no one's looking and nobody much cares, but not when you play under the microscope in a market like Boston. Sooner or later, the feeding frenzy will start on a punk.
It's astounding that it's taken this long.
And make no mistake, Little Kevin (who could throttle me out without breaking a sweat) is a sheep in wolf's clothing. He's a coward and can claim no differently.
Not until he stops bullying players who have neither the size nor clout to effectively defend themselves.
Not until he stops cheap-shotting anyone who's even close to his own size, physically or metaphorically in the NBA landscape.
Most of all, not until he burns every single byte of that Antonio McDyess footage.
Tough to pass yourself off as a tough guy when the only time you're brave is when you're bigger. Even more so when there's ample evidence of you running like a frightened child from anyone your own size.
The hope I see in the losses is that another of the NBA's little guys steps up and rocks the Celtics just like Peeler did to Garnett. I hope a team like the Oklahoma Thunder or the Memphis Grizzlies or the Sacramento Kings can send Boston into one of those hold-on-a-sec-while-I-figure-out-where-I-am bounces that throws a wrench into the repeat plans.
Maybe an NBA also-ran can keep the Celtics from home-court advantage and that ultimately costs them. Maybe one of the lower seeds can knock them out of the postseason. I'd take either.
And I think the little guys deserve it.
A little poetic justice isn't too much to ask.
28 comments Last one added 5 months ago — Leave a Comment
Tracy Heck 6 months ago
It's hard to keep up the level of intensity that they were playing with at the beginning of the season. I said from the beginning of the season that I didn't see them repeating. Their cockiness and age was bound to catch up with them.
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Andrew Nuschler 6 months ago
Especially when you waste it barking at a guy half your size. It's a bold statement when something done by a pro athlete can shock me in this day and age.
But KG did it. That was ridiculous.
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Joel Creager 6 months ago
Ahaha. Great Read. I still cant believe he wasn't fined for the barking OR the hit on Belinelli.
He also was trash talking CJ Watson who brushed him off his shoulder like a piece of crap, and pretty much won the game with 2 jumpers.
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Andrew Nuschler 6 months ago
Totally agree.
That hit on Belinelli could have literally killed him if it hit a little lower in the sternum. That was brutal.
Thanks for the post.
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Mike D 6 months ago
Andy, what color is your Laker's Kool-Aid this year ? Instead of watching 38 second You-Tube clips of KG retaliating against provoked acts by unknown thug-henchmen put in by their coach for one single reason, why don't you back up the clip a few minutes to witness these "innocent victims" of KG's crimes. I beg you to watch one Celtic's game start-to-finish. You will observe at least one (possibly two) no-names who, in the locker room before the game, got the "Zaza, you're gonna get 10 to 15 minutes tonight to try and get KG tossed" speech. Does every coach do it ? Absolutely not... but there are plenty of Jose Calderon's out there who are just flat-out jealous punks to start with. Instead of the insane acts of barking like a dog, would he be more of a likeable guy to you if every time he gets an elbow to the junk while setting a screen, he takes a swing at these poor guys who cannot defend themselves against the big, bad bully KG. For every action there's a reaction. For some unknown reason, the "enigma" that is named Andy abhors Kevin Garnett for his reactions... I happen to take offense to the constant prevocation of these High-Top-Hitmen. Yeah, if you haven't already peeped my profile, I am from Boston. I do get to see the passion and effort that KG brings to the court on a daily basis. I also get to see the intentional elbows, eye-pokes, and various cheap-shots he takes from opponents trying to capitalize on his short fuse. Before you condemn him for his actions, think about how many spit-balls from the guy in the cubicle (van, office, whatever) next to you it would take to get you to start acting like a lunatic.
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Andrew Nuschler 6 months ago
Mike,
Not a single one of your assumptions is correct. I think that's probably why people say don't make them.
Furthermore, how many die-hard SF Giants fans who are also fans of the Niners/Warriors do you know who would be drinking Laker Kool-Aid? That's an awesome display of logic. I may be wrong about them, but it's not b/c I'm biased FOR LA. Far from it.
Guess you're not a baseball fan.
As for the rest, poor KG. Have you ever played basketball? The big men are always getting chipped and bowed by the little guys; it comes with the territory. Do you really think anything Calderon/Bayless/etc. does to a guy like Garnett really hurts?
None of that excuses KG acting like a little bitch. Again, he'd whoop my ass so I'm not pretending I'm some tough guy.
But facts are facts. I'm sure you'll say there's a band of marauding groin punchers just kept in reserve for when Boston comes through. Wonderful.
And if I did have a cubicle, etc., it would take a lot more than a constant barage of spit balls if the guy was half my size. I'm 6'3" 215 so I know this from experience as there are many guys in the real-world who are essentially half my size and irritating. Once again, it comes with the territory.
Bottom-line: I'm a grown man and it takes a HUGE amount to get under my skin. Especially when it's intentional. And no one's paying me millions of dollars to play freakin' basketball.
What's KG so pissed off about anyway? I'll respect him when he stops carrying on like a child.
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Joey Belmondo 6 months ago
i totaly agree with mike!!
KG is the best player on the championship team so you can bet your behind that they come after him EVERY night!
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Andrew Nuschler 6 months ago
Boston's best player is Paul Pierce. Soon, the second best player will be Rajon Rondo.
KG's just your loudest. And you're telling me Tim Duncan came after him with cheap shots?
You're telling me nobody goes after anyone else in the NBA? I don't see anyone else getting down on all fours and barking at a rookie (who I'm sure was taking every opportunity to elbow what would be a living legend to the kid in the balls).
Call me skeptical.
For the record, I've got no beef with the Celtics (although I LOATHE the Red Sox and enjoy the Patriots). KG's just a punk.
Regardless, I don't expect everyone to agree with me and (as is usually the case) I can't prove I'm right. Even if I could, you're entitled to your opinion.
Thanks for the post.
Andrew
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Michael T. Penn 6 months ago
"After jumping out to one of the best (if not the very best) starts in NBA history"
"C's out to a 27-2 start. That would be the best start by pure record in the history of the NBA."
The 1995-96 Bulls started 41-3. There is no comparison.
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Andrew Nuschler 6 months ago
Unreal that I keep doing that. See below.
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Andrew Nuschler 6 months ago
Agreed.
But 27-2 is the best record through 29 games and that makes it one of the best starts. I'd go w/Jordan's Bulls as well (since it was through 44 games and featured his Airness), but 27-2 is at least in the discussion.
Thanks for the feedback.
Andrew
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JOHN JACOB 6 months ago
ill admit garnett is bein stupid lately, but he got dat reason to be, were losin to the suckiest teams, hes just showing heart out there, he hates to lose. If you guys watched that interview back a couple years ago, remember when he was crying, yeah i do, the man would do anything for a win, even if it means smashin on them little players. K.G. KEVIN GARNETT, all day... bring IN MARBURY TOO
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Andrew Nuschler 6 months ago
I don't agree with it, but I love it. If you're gonna back the guy, be unapologetic about it. I'm not saying it's the right thing to do, but it's the route I take so I respect it. For instance, I love the SF Giants. Bonds is an ass and juicer, blah, blah, blah.
So what?
So were a lot of guys who faded into oblivion. If Bonds were the only guy caught using, then I say it hurts his performance. But since the playing field was essentially level (use was widespread enough), I say it just means he was a ridiculous force of enhanced nature during an entire era with "taint" on it.
That applies to a lot of the greats (taint part, not necessarily steroids).
And one thing that I could never argue with (and I hope I didn't say it above) is that KG wants to win. There is absolutely no doubt about that. None.
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Pete McKeown 6 months ago
Awesome article. Being a Celtics fan, I can't say i disagree with your points; I sat close enough to a game a few weeks ago and it was the first time I was able to fully comprehend just how bad he acts sometimes. However, where you don't like it, I love it. I think it's a big part of what drives him, to intimidate the opponent or just get in their head even a bit. I think the losses recently have been based on the celtics losing that emotional edge. They kept it on for so long during that win streak, that they are now paying for it against high-energy, young teams. When Rondo starts pushing the ball and the team defense steps up its energy, it'll be fine in Beantown, though this stretch has exposed them as a beatable team of veterans. If Garnett were doing this for say, the Lakers, I'd hate him too, but I'm sure LA fans would love him.
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Andrew Nuschler 6 months ago
Pete,
I'd echo what I said to John.
I see no shame in being objective and saying, "so what?" I don't know what the equivalent in baseball to Garnett's behavior is (possibly K-Rod's celebration or maybe Clemens throwing at guys' heads), but if that guy played for the Giants—and Barry's a decent facsimile—I'd still love him.
That's what makes us fans, right?
Thannks for the compliment and fan add. I'm always thrilled to find fans of "the enemy" with whom I can agree.
Sorry, I don't like the Sox and I don't mind admitting it's in no small part due to pure jealousy. They are awesome (and getting better—I think both the Smoltz/Baldelli signings are great) and my guys are very not awesome (but also improving).
Nothing personal. Some of my closest friends are huge Sox fans as is my lil' sis' fiancee who I very much like. The real Boston fans truly are some of the most intelligent people in sports.
They're just a LOT of impostors ;-)
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Mike D 6 months ago
Andy, please don't take my Laker's Kool-Aid line as offensive. I usually try to open with a joke, and " I just flew in from Boston and boy my arms are tired " didn't seem to be a good fit. After all, the only thing I know about you is that you are a mystery wrapped in an enigma (or is it the other way around ?) Anyway, your quote of "And the other two losses of the five were to the Lakers (who seem to have returned to monster status)" must have thrown me off a little bit. Besides the fact that you seem to disagree with opposing coaches sending in their thugs to commit subtle acts of "thuggery" every night against the Green, we're not all that far off on actually agreeing. After reading your statement of Pierce being the best player on the team, and soon to be replaced by Rondo, I would also like to take back my plea to actually watch a Celtic's game start-to-finish, you must have The Dish out there by the Bay. Every single game, Rondo does at least 3 things that make you wonder "how the hell did he just do that ?". Other than the fact that we disagree about KG being the most cheap-shotted big in the NBA, I'll try to be unapologetic about my allegiance to the guy. Here goes... If 10 licensed psychiatrists examined KG, at least 7 of them would diagnose him as being clinically insane. He is perhaps professional sport's pound-for-pound King of "Jack-Assery". If you asked him who his favorite president was, he might just tell you it was Mike Ditka. I live in Boston, and without him, we wouldn't have that big golden ball from last season, so I love my 7 foot tall Five Year Old. Nothing was a slam on your writing, I actually enjoyed reading the article, and it is great fodder for all of the Titletown haters out there. Good work.
Oh yeah, as hypocritical as it sounds, there is no defending Bonds, nothing's worse than a dickhead who enjoys being a dickhead.
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Andrew Nuschler 6 months ago
Damn, that's why I try to temper my replies and regret not being very successful in my response to you.
I try to remember that tone doesn't always come across via text and this is only sports, but obviously lose sight of that. Apologies.
Re Lakers, I do think they are back to being an elite team, but it gives me no great pleasure in saying that. It's just my honest opinion. I really think the Rise of LeBron has lit a fire under Kobe and that is scary.
He almost did it last year and had almost no help in the Finals. I don't like the guy AT ALL, but his greatness is slowly winning me over. Thankfully, I sincerely think LeBron will replace him in a year or two so it will be short.
Your thoughts on KG—we actually agree 100% except we live in different cities. If he played for my home team, I would probably write (word-for-word) what you wrote.
About Bonds too. Of course, Barry Lamar single-handedly turned my favorite team in the world from also-rans into contenders. With a dash of help, he almost brought us a World Series. I will love and defend Barry Bonds the baseball player as long as my brain retains that function.
Barry Bonds the person was a fool; unfortunately, you can't separate the two:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/108464-the-sf-giants-improve-while-the-al-east-mutates-into-something-else-entirely
Thanks for clarifying, and mea culpa again on the curt response.
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curt lukens 6 months ago
Dammit, Barry didnt "almost" win that world series- he did! And single-handedly I might add. Dont you just love how everybody can be as large of a hypocrite as they like as long as they are hacking on Barry-he killed the cow so you could eat your supposedly steroid free steak- Bonds?
So unfair. Btw, people, he's the most dominant athlete of all time in the most difficult sport of all the major sports. Including Michael Jordan.
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Andrew Nuschler 6 months ago
I'm not sure what you mean since the SFG never won a World Series, but I agree that Bonds' would have single-handedly won it had Dusty Baker kept his sh*t together longer.
I'd still go with Jordan, but I won't fight against Bonds ;-)
I also agree that baseball is the hardest of the big three pro sports, but it's also the least physically demanding (i.e. 162 games but not the pounding you take in the NFL/NBA).
Thanks for the post.
Andrew
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Zach Seal 6 months ago
KG is by far the Celtics best player Andrew. Did you see him otnight? Look up the fantasy stats on yahoo where it combines each players total stats and ranks them. KG is 6th in the ENTIRE NBA. And his stats are no where close to what they were when he was MVP of the league and easily the best all around player alive. He shoots the best percentage, scores the most effectively(in relation to shots), rebounds the best, asside from rondo passes the best, blocks shots, and is the defender of the year. Do not tell me anyone but KG is the best player on the team and is Tied for 1st in the NBA with Duncan at the PF position. If you only knew what he did when he carried the Wolves to all those playoffs and if he had any talent he would have won titles in Minnesota aswell. He had seasons of 23 pts, 14 reb, over 5ast a game!!! Thats some of the best statistics the NBA has ever seen. Do not go trashing one of the all time greats, because when it is set and done, Garnett's career numbers will be top 7 in points, top 5 in rebounding, top 5 in blocks ALL TIME. And ive seen KG live many times, in minnesota, orlando, milwaukee, miami, etc. and I know for a fact that ppl have always taken advantage of KG's short fuse and send ppl in there to malitously intagonize him and piss him off. Theres a reason all the shitheads get into it with him because that team would love for the best player on one team to get thrown out or be mentally scrwed up equally to a player like Zaza, Calderon, Mcdyss, etc. Get your shit right.
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Andrew Nuschler 6 months ago
My "shit" is right.
Paul Pierce is the best player on that team.
You can throw all the stats at me you want; didn't work for Dominique, Peyton Manning, or Alex Rodriguez, it won't work with KG.
Furthermore, I never said he wasn't any good. I said he's got a screw loose and needs to act like a grown man. Saying he has a short fuse isn't a get-out-of-jail free card. It's essentially a different way of saying the above. It's a vulnerability that weakens his overall game.
And I saw him tonight. What's your point?
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Zach Seal 5 months ago
PP is a great individual scorer. That doenst make him close to the best player. Look at fantasy stats on yahoo. KG is #8 in the NBA after having 18 and 15 last night btw. His numbers career destroy PP's across the board, except scoring(23.0 ppg compared to 20.1). Every other category is a beating. He has a league MVP that Pierce does not, he is ALL-NBA 10 times!! Pierce only has 3 All-NBA selections, and all 3 of them are Third Team. KG has 4 first team's alone, a long with 6 other second and 3rd team selections. He finished 9th in the NBA last year in total production, and will probably by the end of the season he will be in the same area. There is a reason KG makes 24,750,000 and is the highest paid player in the league..PP makes 18,000,000. KG made 20,000,000 a year when he was 21, pierce isnt there yet and is 31. Your talking down about a man that literally will most likely be top 5 in scoring, top 5 in rebounding, top 5 in blocks, all-time. He has a championship ring, 11 all-star selections out of 12 seasons, all defensive selection 9 times, Defensive POY award winner...what the hell is wrong with you to first talk bad about one of the legends of the game, a first ballot hall of famer, and then say PP is their best player. Why was Garnett 3rd in MVP voting last year, ahead of LeBron James??! People that know sports understand how much he brings to the table. KG is falling out of his prime, and still is the best overrall player in the entire NBA, next to Lebron. The Celtics 2 years ago with Pierce, won only 20 games...the next season, they get KG and Ray, with Allen playing his worst ball of his career, they mysteriously improve to a 66 win team...the reason is clear and that same reasoning is why he was 3rd in MVP voting last year. Just look up his stats and look at all the achievements he has. Hes a winner, hes passionate, and donates millions to charity. Why post soemthing like this??
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Andrew Nuschler 5 months ago
Like I said, I don't care about stats or that individual stuff (which is driven a lot by hype).
I REALLY don't care about salary. Even suggesting that's relevant is laughable. I guess that means Barry Zito's one of the best pitchers in baseball. Or that Stephon Marbury is one of the best players in the NBA; 2nd only to KG.
You said it yourself, he finished ahead of LeBron last year in the MVP. If you think anyone on a team featuring 3 future HoFers is more valuable that James is to the Cavs, I'd suggest you reconsider your insinuation that I don't know basketball.
Garnett is a winner—really? As I recall he never won jack until he teamed up with Pierce, Allen, and Rondo. In fact, I remember him having quite a hard time even getting past the first-round until Sprewell and Cassell showed up to help him. Then I remember Minnesota missing the playoffs until the Boston trade.
Quite a winner.
He WANTS to win. No doubt about that.
So KG is better all-around than Kobe? Again, you question my basketball understanding?
Nothing is wrong with me—the reasons for writing the article are in the article.
I have stated my opinion (that any 30+ year-old taking cheap shots at people half his/her size and stature, who drops to all-fours on national television in front of 10s of thousands of live bodies to bark and menace another person, needs to grow the f*ck up) calmly and with evidence.
If you don't like it fine. But why do you homers always try to offend people by being so abrasive?
Do you really think I'll care that some anonymous stranger thinks I know nothing about basketball?
Precious.
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Chris 5 months ago
I'm from Minnesota, and because of Kevin Garnett, I became a die-hard Wolves fan. His passion and intensity for the game may never be matched by another player. I watched him go through alot here in "sota". All the ups and downs.. well, mostly downs, and we miss the hell out of him.
That being said, I have to agree with you that his behavior as of late has been unacceptable. Off and on we would see shades of this maniacal attitude with the Wolves, but never this bad. I know that it's only because he wants to win so badly, and he just gets so pumped up i think he almost psyches himself out. He used to get down on all fours all the time as he would backpedal downcourt in front of a defender, but i never saw him bark at anyone. I have a hard time saying anything bad about the guy, I just wish he would tone it down just a notch.
Last season i went to Boston to see the Wolves play the Celtics. It was the game where KG suffered the abdominal injury and briefly left the game, only to triumphantly return and make a couple game saving plays for the win. After the final horn sounded and the Celtics won, he proceeded to pop his celtics jersey to the adoring crowd. Talk about mixed emotions. I couldn't decide wether to be pissed off or proud. To me it seems like that was sort of the beginning of his crazy behavior.
Who knows, maybe Bill Russell will pull him aside and talk a little sense into him.
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Andrew Nuschler 5 months ago
Chris,
I agree with all of the above.
I don't think it's anything sinister or evil and I do believe it all starts with a crazy desire to win. I just wish he'd either pick on guys his own size/stature and/or tone it down.
Nothing unforgivable though. Especially by modern standards.
Thanks for the feedback.
Andrew
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Zach Seal 5 months ago
Yes, all around KG brings more to the table than Kobe...notice who has a newer championship ring. Despite what you say, and that you cant find one statistical reference stating Pierce is better than Garnett...Hollinger's PER, KG is 21, RONDO is second in the 40's...RAY ALLEN is ahead of Pierce. Im sure you dont know, but PER is Player Efficiency Rating. Whether it be fantasy...KG is #7, PP is 3rd on the team at 23rd. Wherever yo uwanna look. Be my guest. Kobe is the best scorer in the league...his outside game along with his ability to attack is better than anyone's, including Lebron. but doesnt compare defensively, rebounding, blocking shots, fg %, and unselfishness. they both have 1 MVP award, KG has 1 more all-star selection(came in league in 1995, Kobe 1996)...Kobe has 3 rings to KG's 1, but Kobe had the pleasure of playing with the most dominant player since Wilt. Statistically KG and Kobe are comparable...very much so. Pierce, does not compare. At all. Period.
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Andrew Nuschler 5 months ago
Whatever bro.
You cite a stat that ranks Ray Allen ahead of Paul Pierce like it could possibly mean something.
You say KG brings more to the table than Kobe (who I don't particularly like) and cite his newer ring as evidence. Then you discount Kobe's multiple rings b/c he played w/Shaq. So the fact that KG had Pierce, Allen, and Rondo doesn't hurt his ring? The fact that all that help means he doesn't have to bring nearly as much to the table as Kobe or LeBron doesn't hurt your argument?
Inconsistencies prove an argument is weak and you've just saved me the trouble.
But thanks for the exercise.
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Zach Seal 5 months ago
yes...ray allen is out playing pierce this season overrall, by a lot. points per game doesnt mean everything. pierce gets the most minutes and takes the most shots. ray and pierce are close, but neither compare to kg. end of story.
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