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January 07, 2009
Celtics talks trash; Bobcats get win
Obviously, there was plenty to like about the Charlotte Bobcats Tuesday.
They played great defense in overtime (five straight stops). They were precise in the first half (one turnover). The rookie (D.J. Augustin) was the best player on the court in the extra five minutes.
But none of that would have mattered without something more basic:
The Bobcats didn’t take the Boston Celtics’ crap. In particular, they didn’t take Kevin Garnett’s crap.
All great teams are arrogant in one manner or another. When I was around the New England Patriots the year they beat the Panthers in the Super Bowl, they were subtle in their smugness. They seemed to be laughing at some joke no one else got.
The Celtics aren’t subtle. Garnett sure isn’t subtle.
He talks trash constantly and he’ll rattle you any way the refs allow (or simply miss). He elbowed Adam Morrison as Morrison walked from a team huddle to in-bound the ball.
I don’t mean one of those playful, little elbows, I mean a message that said, “I will rock your jaw when I really throw an elbow.’’
He gets away with it because, well, he’s Kevin Garnett.
But the Bobcats didn’t let him get away with it. They stood tough, and got just as chippy as the Celtics get. Juwan Howard committed the Bobcats’ first flagrant foul this season and Raymond Felton drew a technical for a brush-up with Glen Davis.
Felton said afterward he’d accept that technical anytime for the statement it made. I agree.
Sometimes you must remind people you won’t take their crap.
Posted by Observer staff on January 7, 2009 at 06:23 AM | Permalink
Comments
Kevin Garnett is a big bully. He is a dropout from High School that got rescued by going to Chicago (in Mauldin he was suspended for fighting and it got swept under the mat to hide it from the public - stupid Police Department.)
For the first 5 or so years in the league you could tell he didn't have a decent education. You could barely understand what he had to say. Now he is a great basketball player, but he is a very poor performing student that has little to no education. I would much prefer an NBA player to have at least a few if not his entire 4 years in college - but especially not be a high school drop out.
Posted by: No something in Mauldin, SC | Jan 7, 2009 7:17:46 AM
A fight KG had 13 years ago in a Maudlin, SC high school is completely irrelevant. I'm not a Celtics fan, as a matter of fact, I hate them almost as much as I hate the Cowboys and Patriots. But I am a KG fan. He is one of the bests players in NBA HISTORY and a great role model for the Association. There arent many people (Lebron James excluded)who come out of high school and can stand the public scutiny of a microphone being stuck down your throat every day. He has never been in any serious trouble and regardless of how he handled the media early in his career, he speaks intelligently and thought provoking now. Going to college doesnt necessarily educate you, ask George W. Not going, was the smartest thing KG could have done.
Posted by: FuriousStyles | Jan 7, 2009 7:58:37 AM
A fight KG had 13 years ago in a Maudlin, SC high school is completely irrelevant. I'm not a Celtics fan, as a matter of fact, I hate them almost as much as I hate the Cowboys and Patriots. But I am a KG fan. He is one of the bests players in NBA HISTORY and a great role model for the Association. There are'nt many people (Lebron James excluded)who come out of high school and can stand the public scutiny of a microphone being stuck down your throat every day. He has never been in any serious trouble and regardless of how he handled the media early in his career, he speaks intelligently and thought provoking now. Going to college doesnt necessarily educate you, ask George W. Not going, was the smartest thing KG could have done.
Posted by: FuriousStyles | Jan 7, 2009 8:09:26 AM
have to agree with furious styles.
that fight with kg really had to do more with the other guy than kg. it was very race related and instead of getting persecuted, garnett and his family moved him to chicago so he didn't have to deal with it. it's funny though after mauldin put him through that trouble, once he got to the nba, they retired his number.
typical thing to do to try to make money off someone they were trying to get out of the school.
anyway, something is different about garnett since he went to boston. he's become this player who picks on smaller players now. like lavar arrington used to do to punters at penn state. and he isnt' nearly as good as he used to be. that maybe because he was playing in minnesota and getting all the touches but i don't know. i'm glad the bobcats got them though, i've been waiting for a win like that. go cats!
Posted by: dougie | Jan 7, 2009 8:32:32 AM
How can Kevin Garnett be a High School dropout when he was drafted by the NBA straight out of highschool??? So you are saying that the NBA takes ppl that don't finish highschool...that my friend is hard to fathom.
Posted by: aholland210 | Jan 7, 2009 8:32:32 AM
Nothing wrong with Kevin Garnett; he's established a game persona that works very effectively. I was just impressed the Bobcats didn't back off as a result.
Posted by: Rick Bonnell | Jan 7, 2009 8:39:26 AM
Rick, while DJ stepped up in overtime, he was clearly not the best player on the floor (probably the worst) when he was ripped on back to back plays to end the 3Q and start the 4Q. Or when he was burned over and over again early in the 4th by Rondo such that we had to switch Felton back on him. I think DJ has a bright future in this league, but with his defensive liabilities, are you still so adamant about him over Lopez, despite the fact that Lopez is a true 7 footer who blocks shots, rebounds and has legit and improving post game? Just curious. Great win last night for the Bobcats, it will be interesting to see how they play against Cleveland w/ tired legs.
Posted by: Mason | Jan 7, 2009 8:53:04 AM
Mason...Rondo had 9 Turnovers, 6 assists and 16 points on less than 50% shooting from the field, hardly a stellar performance when you are passing to 3 All-Stars in KG, Pierce and Allen.
DJ did make two blunders on those steals earlier in the game and he's still playing on a sore ankle (which effects your lateral movement). But he was CLUTCH in making a free throws 12 out of 12...if Felton had done that, the game wouldn't have gone to OT. Felton missed 1 of 2 free throws in the last 30 seconds and a shot at the end of the game.
DJ was absolutely a great pick for this team with Brown as the coach, no question a better choice then Lopez (nothing against Lopez, but Brown expects more out of his PG then Felton can provide).
Posted by: BlockParty | Jan 7, 2009 9:08:21 AM
Mason:
See BlockParty.
Posted by: Rick Bonnell | Jan 7, 2009 9:21:45 AM
Mason come on man why so down on DJ? He is better than Felton already and sure he has his defensive liabilities but there are only a handful of PGs in the 'A' who dont...u dont exactly think of lock down D when u think of Tony Parker do you?
And just what is it about Lopez that has ppl so much more positive about his future than DJs? NJ has only won 4 more games than the Bobcats with better talent and Lopez shoots a terrible 45% for a C!
Im just sayin...lets take the win and build on it..we all know that our Cats have a problem with win streaks so maybe this was the one to get the fire started?? Maybe Im just too optimistic?? Either way I love how we always battle with the Celtics, LB will show them that the potential is there to play that hard every night.
Posted by: Bobcat Terry | Jan 7, 2009 9:30:53 AM
KG is one of the coolest people I ever met. KG and my wife went to mauldin together and I went to see him play the bobcats last year courtside when he recognized my wife in the crowd. Not only did he wave to her during the game, we actually met after the game and got pictures with him. Intimidation is part of the game and if you can't handle it that's your problem.
Posted by: mr.awesome51 | Jan 7, 2009 9:35:27 AM
I thought it was a great game and it says something about where this team is going. It looks like they are gaining confidence in their skills and their ability to rely on each other. They didn't back down from the Celtics. And I agree, I think that Boston has lost some of their swagger.
Posted by: bobkitty | Jan 7, 2009 9:38:39 AM
good post Bonnell
Posted by: Steve | Jan 7, 2009 9:44:33 AM
Augustin has a role in this league for sure -- quickness and a sweet jumper ensure that.
Felton, while not as quick or as good a shooter is much more suited to being a starting pg for a winning team. People forget that he came out even more touted than Augustin and for good reason. Larry Brown has been the perfect coach for him and the Bobcats are starting to realize the benefits.
So the question is whether Augustin in a Ben Gordon type role is better than Lopez for them. DJ's good play allowed them to trade Richardson and pick up Diaw and Bell. That freed up Gerald Wallace (and by extention Okafor) to be more of the kind of player that he's most successful at being. Hard to argue with the results on the floor since the trade.
So it seems at this point, lucky or not, Augustin was a smart pickup for Jordan and Co.
Posted by: Watches | Jan 7, 2009 9:51:56 AM
question:
how many people feel that felton is on "display" for suitors? his extended minuets vs the defending champs is an example of this, his playing combo guard minuets is an example of this, jordans increased presence shows his attention to this matter. simple by low and sell high tatic. by featuring him now going into february's trade deadline, we appear to be attempting to sell high, being that he is of above average value as able to play 2 positions instead of just 1. I am a fan of felton, love his guts and professionalism. its rare that a player accepts different assignments for the team. most players would publicly reject these things and ask for a trade, making things contentious. this helps his value as well. all that said, i still fell the team is pushing him publicly to sell high. a package of felton, morrison and mohammad could be sent to OKC for vet C/PF joe smith, vet SF/SG desmond mason and vet PG earl watson. or to golden state with morrison, mohammad, and hollins for C/PF turiaf, SF crawford , SG belinelli, and PG williams.
Posted by: brendan | Jan 7, 2009 9:54:51 AM
I wish I could be a highschool dropout and make 200 Million. Wow. Not having a high school diploma really has hurt KG. I don't you say what you really mean (No something in Mauldin)
Posted by: Terri | Jan 7, 2009 10:06:06 AM
Honestly, I thought the Bobcats would blow the game in overtime. I thought they would start with two bad offensive possessions and disappear on defense. I was pleasantly surprised that the Cats played up to their potential. This was a great win. I hope they are able to defeat Cavs and their crab dribbling superstar.
Posted by: Token | Jan 7, 2009 10:09:32 AM
I could have sworn that DJ is still playing through an injury.
Posted by: Striktly | Jan 7, 2009 10:36:12 AM
I know KG, played ball with him. At Mauldin he made horrible grades and need a tutor. That is great he makes millions of dollars. I was just sharing my opinion.
At least when he talks trash you can't really understand him because he failed English...
And no he didn't move to Chicago taking the high road. He needed to leave because they were other issues that were taking place. Joe Broadus was the principal and covered it up at MHS and the Greenville County Superintendent because KG would be a great ball player.
Not hating, just saying. That's all.
Posted by: No something in Mauldin | Jan 7, 2009 10:43:02 AM
Watching MJ on the bench last night, he paid special attention to Felton. Especially after he missed the FT in the 4th. I dont think MJ will trade Felton unless its for another tarheel.
Posted by: mack | Jan 7, 2009 11:08:42 AM
KG always talked in Sota and he's talking in Boston. It's being brought up more now b/c he's on a winning team. People didn't pay as much attention to what he was doing when his team was struggling. Now that they are the champs and arguably best team in the league and he's probably the lead person on team, you notice all the little things. Nothing wrong with a little chatter on the court.
Posted by: Counte | Jan 7, 2009 11:13:12 AM
Mason (and Bonnell since you agreed with him)
Why the need to rip on felton in trying to defend DJ vs Lopez?
Ray scored 12 points in the last 8 minutes of the 4th which is the only reason this team was in OT, and he also spent a good bit of time guarding Rondo. He was 6-8 from the line (the one at the end of the 4th was certainly a huge miss) and the missed game winner was not by any means a shot you expect someone to make, which he had to take after Pierce pulled up over DJ (same effect as a wide open shot) and drained the J to tie it with 3 seconds left.
DJ got hot in OT and also was the recipient of fouls as we got a lead - his only FG made in OT was the sweet 3 that gave us the 2 possession lead and he was 1-7 before that. Heading into OT DJ had not played a very good game, and getting ripped on back to back plays at half court was really unexcusable (I think by Eddie House no less).
This was a team win, with everyone contributing (even AMMO) but to make a post that implies felton almost cost us the game in the 4th and DJ had to save it in OT is a joke.
Posted by: john | Jan 7, 2009 11:15:51 AM
Mason,
You dare to talk trash about DJ because he made 2TO with and injured ankle, late in the game against one of the top 3 defense in the NBA and the team who happens to be the defending champions. And then you tried to use that argument as an excuse to justified that Lopez would have been a better pick than DJ.
Is that really the best you can do. Lopez was not a need for the Bobcats, DJ was. Lopez is similar to Okafor but with a lot less scoring and rebounding skills. DJ is a great PG. As a matter fact, DJ and D. Rose are the closest thing to C. Paul or D. Williams that this leagu has. Lopez in 5 yrs will be a Mutombo (just a shot blocker).
Posted by: RobC | Jan 7, 2009 11:25:48 AM
I know KG well from his days in Minne. The image the NBA projects of Kevin today is completely unrelated to his persona. KG lives in a bubble and is a very private and sullen person. KG has been in a number of fights since first entering the league. Some consider it being due to his "passion" for the game. But it is much deeper than that. After Kevin entered the league, he went from being "da Kid" to being "da Franchise" for the Wolves. As he has aged (now in his 13th season), the money and the pressure he places on himself to perform has only intensified. Under such stress, a person's worse tendencies surface. For KG the "passion" has now turned to disrespect and poor sportsmanship.
Posted by: Captain America | Jan 7, 2009 11:29:06 AM
Kevin Garnett is no different in Boston then he was in Minnesota. He is just as fiery, just as intense. The only difference now is that he's an NBA Champion, and we all know everyone hates a winner. If KG was still toiling in South Canada on first round playoff losing teams he would be a competitor. A hard-nosed vet, a top 50 player of all time, who plays with his heart on his sleve. In Boston, now that he's winning, he's a bully, a trash-talker. But ask him, I bet you he'd tell you he'd trade a change in the perception of him to a negative one, for another NBA Championship. Because he's never changed, and winning is all he's ever cared about from the beginning.
Posted by: phill | Jan 7, 2009 11:34:08 AM
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