KG: Timberwolf for Life

[ZoSo]

As Dan Shaughnessy observes this morning, the Pistons fans were taunting KG at the end of game 4 with a "Timberwolf for life" chant. Shaughnessy also observes that KG is the primary reason Boston is still playing. So while KG is a tremendously gifted talent, there is a larger legacy at stake.

In a way, the taunt was really a compliment to the Celtics heritage. Russell, Cowens, Havlicek, Bird, McHale, and Parish all earned their stripes. When  the chips were down, they came through. Larry Bird took a pretty good team his rookie year and won 61 games. But he wouldn't have been Larry Bird without the three titles. Russell wouldn't have been Russell without the the 11 rings.

KG will be stuck with "greatest complementary player of all-time" label unless the Celtics bring home the hardware this June. It's still do-able, but as been often noted as of late, the Green appear to lack that killer instinct, or if they have it, lack the talelent, ability, or experience to act on it, which basically amounts to the same thing. They appear helpless to do anything but wait for a game 7 to make the situation do or die, again, because they can't or won't speed up the process.

As he has proven throughout the season, there are ways for KG to dominate that don't require him scoring 40 points and grabbing 20 rebounds, including 15 points and 10 rebounds in the fourth quarter. So I'm not sure it's the old  "KG needs to step up and be Michael Jordan" debate. He simply needs to be the best player on the floor and ensure a W tonight, and keep doing so until number 17 is ours.

Otherwise, he won't escape his humble origins as a Timberwolf.

[TheReaLPuba]

It's very hard for "Big" men to dominate nowadays. The rules all benefit guards and swingmen and it's much easier to trap and "zone up" on players trying to post up and you can thank Shaq for that.

KG can dominate a game if he gets on a roll and his jumper is falling....but the Pistons aren't going to make it easy for him to get position and then the ball on the block.

Fact of the matter is the C's as a team needs to hit 3's and open up some passing lanes so guys like KG and PP can post up.

[jay_jay54]

It's very hard for "Big" men to dominate nowadays. The rules all benefit guards and swingmen and it's much easier to trap and "zone up" on players trying to post up and you can thank Shaq for that.

KG can dominate a game if he gets on a roll and his jumper is falling....but the Pistons aren't going to make it easy for him to get position and then the ball on the block.

Fact of the matter is the C's as a team needs to hit 3's and open up some passing lanes so guys like KG and PP can post up.

I agree with the last statement the most...hitting the 3pt would open up some possiblities for other things,as it stands,everything is cluttered up most of the time in the paint,to Detroit's advantage.They have the advantage when we are playing a halfcourt type game.We have 3pt shooters,why not use them more often?What's Doc saying the House's,Posey's skills(3pt)for,XMAS?Even P.Pierce,has some 3pt range.They need to open the game up more.I like how the Spurs came out in game 3,when Ginobili came in,went right to work,with the 3pt shot.Thats his specialty,and thats where Pop had him go.Same thing goes for House,and Posey.Im not suggesting,thats the only shot they take,but in order to put the Pistons on their heels,you need to open things up more.   

[CELTICS733]

I'll have to disagree with the three point theory; yes it's wonderful if they’re knocking it down, but we haven't had that luxury to this point.  House hasn’t played enough to get any real rhythm, Allen is in a funk and Posey only shoots it when set up.  Detroit is running their offense without hoisting three’s and if they need a basket either Hamilton drives to the hole or Wallace dips to the post.  KG at 6-11 should be able to get in the post and get a decent shot, but as I’ve been saying, that is not a part of his game and because of that he is a flawed player.  I also see nervousness whenever the pressure of game picks up and he doesn’t even look for his shot.  It’s not that he’s not getting the ball he’s just quick to pass it back out.  Pierce or Allen will have to step it up and be knock down shooters or we’ll be in trouble tonight. 

[Redz]

Can't wait to hear Big Ticket's take on this (the CB member, not KG)

They all have a lot to gain for their legacies by winning a title. 

In this day and age it's really hard to buy into a player being loyal to his team "for life" or vice/versa, but KG always seemed fiercely loyal to the T-Wolves and he's the greatest player that young franchise has ever had.  Until they get a player or group of players that wins them a title or two he will be the identity of their history.  Not so for him in Boston. 

If KG helps the Celtics to a title he will be revered as a savior who brought the ancient dynasty back to prominence, but he will never be ranked nostalgically up there with the guys in the rafters. Just about all of those guys were drafted by the Celtics, or grew up with them. It's Pierce who will be viewed in that regard.

With a championship, KG will forever be a special guy in the fans hearts  (hell, he already is), but it's the Captain who's legacy in the realm of Celtic heroes has the most to gain by winning it all.

 

[Big Ticket]

Can't wait to hear Big Ticket's take on this (the CB member, not KG)

They all have a lot to gain for their legacies by winning a title. 

In this day and age it's really hard to buy into a player being loyal to his team "for life" or vice/versa, but KG always seemed fiercely loyal to the T-Wolves and he's the greatest player that young franchise has ever had.  Until they get a player or group of players that wins them a title or two he will be the identity of their history.  Not so for him in Boston.

It is going to take a special, special, special player to pass KG in the heart of most Wolves fans.  He was almost universally adored.  The team averaged about 24 wins a year before he game and put up with way too much BS while he was around, but he was the one thing that kept the team and the fans' hopes alive for over a decade.  And it's not just the player he was.  As my dad and I mention regularly to each other, "he was our guy, and there are a lot of worse role models out there." The huge charitable donations, the time spent in the community, never bashing the fans, coahes, or teammates, never making the news for any negative incidents... he was just really, really easy to root for.  A mere superstar winning a title in Minnesota cannot pass KG unless they are also a superstar in Minnesota off the court.

If KG helps the Celtics to a title he will be revered as a savior who brought the ancient dynasty back to prominence, but he will never be ranked nostalgically up there with the guys in the rafters. Just about all of those guys were drafted by the Celtics, or grew up with them. It's Pierce who will be viewed in that regard.

With a championship, KG will forever be a special guy in the fans hearts  (hell, he already is), but it's the Captain who's legacy in the realm of Celtic heroes has the most to gain by winning it all.

Exactly.  Pierce has much more to gain... in the realm of Celtic heroes.  BUT, KG was much much more to gain in the realm of basketball greats.  If this team wins a title or two, with KG playing the lead dog, he jumps into the argument for top 20 ever, in my conservative opinion.  He is already on pace to retire with one of the top 5 greatest all around statistical careers ever (already the 1st in NBA history with at least 20,000 points, 11,000 boards, 4,000 assists, 1,600 blocks, and 1,300 steals)*.  If he adds ring(s) to that, there is no reason he can't be up there in the 2nd tier of all timers. 

As much as I like Pierce, a ring or two gets him nowhere near that echelon. It puts him in the 2nd tier of Celtic greats, though, behind at least the likes of Russell, Bird, Havlicek, Cousy, and some others.

[ScoobyDoo]

If Ainge can do the following:

1. Put enough talent around Garnett and Pierce ( this may mean getting a better, veteran back up for Ray Allen than TAllen )

2. Keep the core of key young guys together ( Perkins, Rondo, Big baby, Powe, Pruitt and our 1stt round pick this year)

KG and Pierce could get us 3 rings over the next 4-5 years before they're done.

If they get us three rings, both go down with Bird, McHale and Parish, they would have won just as many titles.

If they get only one title or two, they go down in the company of Cowens and Jo Jo White.

If Ainge does his job and the ownership will continue to spend, this core could definately win 3 titles in five years. The key thing will be adding something substantial Ray like Posey is behind Pierce.