Kevin Garnett: Just a Piece In a Larger Puzzle

This article can also be viewed at North Station Sports

Kevin Garnett's recovery has been as scrutinized as the Dow Jones' year long climb back to the 10,000 mark. It seems I have been more patient trying to recover some of my lost retirement dollars then I have been watching Garnett's slow steps towards 100 percent.

Yes, I am guilty. I am one of those guys who winces at every missed opportunity, gasps at every lame landing, and prays that he gets back up with a bounce when he hits the floor. You all pray a little when Garnett goes down, too.

A child of the late 80's and early 90's, I guess you can say I am a victim of "Larry-Legend Syndrome". I still remember, all to well, Larry's struggles in his final seasons. I found myself defending the league's best ever small forward repeatedly from 1989 through his retirement in 1992. 

There were moments of brilliance , such as his come-back performance in the 1991 playoffs against the Pacers or his 49 point triple double in 1992 against the Blazers. It was during those moments, I found myself saying to younger fans,  "You have no idea how great that man was!"

Yep, that's it. Blame my binocular, bifocal scrutiny of Garnett's every move on "Larry-Legend Syndrome".

Truth is, we are all a little spoiled. Since Garnett's entrance into the league in 1995 as a young and bright eyed teenager, the NBA has been treated to arguably the most passionate and intense player ever to pick up a basketball.

Garnett's tenure in Minnesota was underscored with a 20.5 scoring average. An instant 20-12 machine, he revolutionized the power forward position, combining unmatched defensive intensity and athletic paint play with solid jump shooting and controlled emotional outburst the likes of which we had never seen.

We have all witnessed conniptions from guys who play with their hearts on their sleeves. Bill Lambier, Rodman, Barkley, and Rasheed Wallace all come to mind without effort.  Unlike the temper tantrum machines of the past, Garnett was controlled. His rants focused more on his own positives and negatives and less on that of the zebras or spectators.

Garnett came to Boston in 2007, still a player who can dominate the game with strength, agility, athleticism, and the fury he was famous for. That intense passion spilled over to his new teammates immediately and it spread throughout the league. Finally the Big Ticket was in a major market place, poised to dominate.

Boston was again the focus of the basketball world. Soon after, it seemed every team's unlikely hero was banging their heart when hitting a big shot, lifting their team's name on their jersey in proclamation that their squad was for real. Some did it only against the Celtics in a mocking gesture; others did it just because they saw Garnett and the Celtics do it.

Paying the biggest dividends from the KG tornado may have been Paul Pierce.

The "one again-off again" star had only achieved modest success throughout his decade in Boston. Pierce had gotten a taste for success in 2002 as he and Antoine Walker led the Celtics to a surprising Eastern Conference Finals birth.

Paul combined strength, scoring and rebounding with late game heroics to prove that he was the truth. The success he had achieved was often marred by his off-court comments, tumultuous relationships with coaches and culminated with his demands for a trade in 2007.

Danny Ainge had a trade of his own in mind, a swap that would keep Pierce satisfied in green and turn the NBA upside down.

Garnett and Ray Allen arrived in Boston in the summer of 2007. Garnett's contagious intensity infected Paul Pierce and a self-imposed metamorphosis began. The iso-minded, offensive forcer, often whiner, sometimes booed super-star was transformed into a defense first, lead by example player. He forced nothing but was doing everything. The Captain was born.

That was 2008, and, yes, we were a bit spoiled.

Fast-forward to today. Put in the context of the past, it may be a bit understandable to scrutinize Garnett's recovery.

The last four games have been a growth period for Garnett. We have witnessed KG narrowing his aim and connecting on an astounding 22-27 from the field. He has directly had his hand in a game winner against the Knicks and a knock out blow to Miami.

The Ticket has displayed some explosion around the hoop in Boston's recent win streak. His one-on-one defense is showing signs of returning to top form. Yet, Garnett still seems to display a bit of relief when his shot connects. He still displays an occasional "gate" in his step. Though not quite as tentative as the opening games of the season, he still shows some hesitancy in traffic.

"Larry-Bird Syndrome" again? Maybe.

The fact remains, Garnett's progression has been, and will continue to be, gradual. No need to rush it. Boston is stacked with star power and they have his back. Recently, best friend and teammate, Rasheed Wallace told the Boston Globe,

"

I told you all that the knee is getting stronger. Some people are still worried about it. Everybody keeps asking me about it. But all it is is time. You all thought he was going to be back to the old KG, jumping out the gym [immediately]. He’s taking his time with it and every game is looking better for him.’

"

After a blazing 6-0 start, the C's adrenaline seemed to drain and the harsh realities set in. This team is not fully set. coaches Rotations are not totally lined up, Big Baby is still out and what seemed to be a glue-like chemistry early on has shown signs of needing a regrouping.

The Celtics hit some road bumps and struggled a bit. Looking out of whack defensively and, at times, confused on the offensive end. Opponents have scored on them and left fans scratching their heads, trying to figure out what's going on with this team. It's not the 27-2 start of 2008-09. That kind of regular season dominance may never again be seen from this team.

Wait a second! Kevin Garnett was out for 25 games last season and we still won 60 games! Shouldn't we be 17-0 with him back?

I have high expectations for this squad. The basketball world has echoed those same expectations. Instant 70 win predictions early on only cemented those expectations. Early road bumps? They don't occur with our team!

Truth is, like any championship contending squad, with the type superstar talent that the Celtics possess, they will experience growing pains. Add to that Garnett's recovery period and you have an early bumpy road.

I don't know about you, but I would prefer some bumps on the way to the mountain top, making us stronger, pulling us together. Adversity builds cohesion on championship squads, right?

The be(a)st is yet to come...

Four straight victories, Garnett 22-27 from the field, two game clinchers, better ups and yet that "Larry-Bird Syndrome" still didn't subside much.

An article published in the Globe this morning peaked my interest. At first it seemed to be the typical story we've all written about KG's return to form. After reading fully, I stumbled upon some quotes from KG himself:

"

Physically I feel really, really good. But you all have no idea of the [stuff] I go through to come in here and be Grade B, Grade A. So I’m a work in progress. I don’t even think twice about my leg. There’s nothing about this game I second-guess. As a basketball player you have to react. When I am reacting and [stuff] flows, I’m a better player like that. I’m trying to find timing in what [coach] Doc [Rivers] wants and making it come together.

"

Displaying his (mistaken) hesitancy, KG explains why he has not looked to shoot first recently:

"

I wasn’t even going to it but Paul was on my [butt] on the bench about being aggressive, take the shot, take the damn shot. Here I’m just a piece that fits in the puzzle. And I’m thinking more defensively since I have been in here, since I stepped foot in here, put the jersey on. I am just more of a defensive player and I like that. Coming in I want to make sure defensively I am sound. When I am not forcing the issue and not thinking everything else just flows. So I think that’s all you see.

I really want to answer your question [about our personality] but I think it’s just too early. Defensively we are a definitely a team that can score the basketball. But until we get the continuity, the rhythm, understanding guys . . . We have not even played . . . the different combinations we played with in practice has not carried over to the court. I keep saying this. I know I am tearing your tape recorders up with this but it’s repetition, consistency and we just have to continue to be like that.’

"

Just a "piece in the puzzle"...?

It seems my blind-sighted focus on Garnett has left the only puzzle I've noticed to be in my mind, infected with that "Larry-Legend Syndrome" again. I have failed to see the larger picture.

Comparing Garnett's 14 points and seven rebounds per game is unfair when stacking it against his career averages.  He is surrounded by five players that average over 10 points per game, and two more who can explode for 20 on any given night.

Dare I say, Garnett is older now. "Old" is not as scary a word as we stack it up to be. The big three are older and more intelligent now. They score smarter not harder. Instead of being the guy's with all the pieces of the puzzle in their over-sized hands, they now share those pieces with capable teammates.

Together, as a unit , the C's will continue to piece together the chemistry that a championship team possesses. Ubuntu may be a word that is rarely heard from these guys in 2009 but it's ubuntu that will guide the way towards filling the holes that complete the puzzle of the 2009-10 season. Hopefully that puzzle has the Larry O'Brien trophy as it's illustration.

This article can also be viewed at North Station Sports.