2010 NBA Finals Game Two: Kevin Garnett Needs To Step for the Boston Celtics

After the Celtics game 1 104-89 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol took some shots at Kevin Garnett saying Garnett had “lost some explosiveness”. Garnett had a mediocre game scoring 16 and grabbing abysmal 4 rebounds. Watching the game I couldn’t help but notice the same. Actually watching all season I couldn’t help but notice that Garnett just isn’t the same player that led the 2008 Celtics to a title run.

Gasol goes on to add “He’s more of a jump shooter now … Before, he had a really, really quick first step and was getting to the lane and he was more aggressive then .”

Obviously it should be no shock that a 34 year old /15 year veteran just isn’t the same player he used to be, however if the Celtics have any shot of hanging with the Lakers, they need at least 18 points, 8 rebounds a night out of Garnett.

Pau Gasol on the other hand had a great game scoring 23 and grabbing 14 boards, playing much better than the 2008 finals where he averaged 15-10, and was tagged with the soft label. If Gasol keeps playing this way the soft label will be a distant memory. Last year he matched Dwight Howard’s toughness, this year Gasol is matching the Celtics toughness.

As for Garnett he’s not going down low in the post, he’s settling for jump shots in which he didn’t look that confident taking. In fact Garnett missed consecutive lay ups in the 4^th quarter.

In the first two series against Miami and Cleveland Garnett played terrific averaging 17-8, and playing stellar defense. He took a step back in the Orlando series averaging 10 points, but still hit some big shots. More importantly Garnett brought the intensity, and his usual intimidation antics. In game one we saw little to none of that.  

Doc Rivers explains saying “I just thought, honestly, he got so hyped up about the game he almost took himself out… He was trying to slow himself down. He didn't have a great game. But no, he's fine health wise and all that. ”   Rivers’ explanation sounds more like he’s just covering up for Garnett more than an explanation.

As for game two, one factor that could get Garnett going is motivation. Now it could be personal with Pau Gasol. We might see Garnett bother Gasol on defense the way he did in 2008. Garnett could also look to go down low more, and the Celtics could run the offense through Garnett as a scorer or a passer out of the post.

Or could it be that this is the Kevin Garnett we’ll see through the finals. Garnett could have peaked already during the first two rounds of the playoffs, and his knees are now starting to see the wear and tear of a long postseason run.

Gasol did say Kevin Garnett is still a terrific player. The Celtics are going to need that terrific player if they want to win the series. The Celtics got a combined 24 points out of their starting bigs. The Celtics are built on defense, and they need Garnett to anchor the defense.

Which Kevin Garnett will we see, the Kevin Garnett of the first two rounds, or the Kevin Garnett of game one? Bottom line is the Celtics need Garnett is they have any chance on this series.