Kevin Garnett Passes Reggie Miller on NBA's All-Time Scoring List
Kevin Garnett has never been all that concerned with his own offense, which makes the fact that he surged past noted gunner Reggie Miller on the NBA's all-time scoring list that much more remarkable.
KG tossed in a 21-footer with nine minutes remaining in the third quarter of the Nets' opening-night contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was a shot he'd hit countless times during his career, but this bucket was special.
Miller's career total of 25,279 points is now good for just 15th place in league history. If he's feeling a little down about losing a spot to Garnett, he can still take solace in his vast superiority from beyond the arc. During his 18 years with the Indiana Pacers, Miller drilled 2,560 threes.
Garnett has only made 173 in his career.
Points are points, though, and Garnett now has more of them than Reggie.
Always a reluctant shooter, Garnett has spent his career passing up jumpers in favor of keeping the ball moving. He never developed a conventional post game, instead opting for a right-shoulder turnaround whenever he was forced to manufacture a bucket.
Overall, there's really no comparing Miller and KG. One was a one-dimensional sniper with limitless range, while the other is a rabid defender with a much more complete game.
Of course, the pair do actually share one thing in common: Every opponent they've ever faced hates them with a passion.
Miller was a world-class agitator who shoved, kicked and trash-talked his way through years of testy Eastern Conference playoff series. He's still probably not allowed to walk the streets in New York without a police escort.
Garnett shares Miller's whatever-it-takes approach to the game, and his legendary intensity has often spilled over into the realm of dirty play.
Unofficially, they're probably very close to one another on the NBA's all-time cheap shot list as well.
If Garnett can stay healthy this year, he'll easily move past No. 13 Alex English (25,613) and threaten No. 12 John Havlicek (26,395) at some point this spring.
Not bad for a guy who couldn't care less about scoring.
