Rosen is always controversial and I often disagree with him personally...
However, he does back up his comments with some good analysis.
It's not that I don't like Garnett per se. I think he's a very talented player and a nice guy who always gives his all. What does bug me, however, is the fact that too many fans and media observers celebrate him as one of the all-time greats. (Perhaps he does as well.) This view, I believe, is wrong.
While Garnett has many talents which you have already listed, there are certain things he cannot do — like putting so much pressure on a defense that they're forced to foul him. (For his career, he's averaged just over five free throws per game.) This doesn't happen because KG is primarily a jump shooter, and a turnaround, fadeaway jump shooter at that.
He also can't take over the stretch run in playoff games, putting his team on his back and doing whatever it takes to pull out the win. Garnett's playoff performances are most noteworthy for missed jumpers and missed free throws in the clutch.
He also can't compel his teammates (and his team) to overachieve.
Garnett's game depends too much on finesse for him to be a franchise player. He'd make a great Scottie Pippen to a Michael Jordan. Working with Steve Nash, Garnett would also be more productive than Shawn Marion. He'd also be a monster playing Lamar Odom to Kobe Bryant. And imagine how good he'd be playing in the afterglow of the Flash.
The point is that instead of trying to find players capable of complimenting Garnett, it's KG who should be the second-banana to an authentic all-time great player.
Unfortunately, Garnett will always be the focus of the T-Wolves game plan and roster manipulations. The only way that his understandable frustration might blossom into satisfaction would be if he's ever traded to a team that already has a franchise player.
However, he does back up his comments with some good analysis.
It's not that I don't like Garnett per se. I think he's a very talented player and a nice guy who always gives his all. What does bug me, however, is the fact that too many fans and media observers celebrate him as one of the all-time greats. (Perhaps he does as well.) This view, I believe, is wrong.
While Garnett has many talents which you have already listed, there are certain things he cannot do — like putting so much pressure on a defense that they're forced to foul him. (For his career, he's averaged just over five free throws per game.) This doesn't happen because KG is primarily a jump shooter, and a turnaround, fadeaway jump shooter at that.
He also can't take over the stretch run in playoff games, putting his team on his back and doing whatever it takes to pull out the win. Garnett's playoff performances are most noteworthy for missed jumpers and missed free throws in the clutch.
He also can't compel his teammates (and his team) to overachieve.
Garnett's game depends too much on finesse for him to be a franchise player. He'd make a great Scottie Pippen to a Michael Jordan. Working with Steve Nash, Garnett would also be more productive than Shawn Marion. He'd also be a monster playing Lamar Odom to Kobe Bryant. And imagine how good he'd be playing in the afterglow of the Flash.
The point is that instead of trying to find players capable of complimenting Garnett, it's KG who should be the second-banana to an authentic all-time great player.
Unfortunately, Garnett will always be the focus of the T-Wolves game plan and roster manipulations. The only way that his understandable frustration might blossom into satisfaction would be if he's ever traded to a team that already has a franchise player.
Comment