Mark Blountesque? 14 boards for KG in three games

[celticsclay]

I know a lot of peoples first reaction upon seeing my title would be to think I am a troll trying to stir up a reaction. However, I am obviously not a troll, just someone that has been extremely miffed by KG's board work this series. Through three games he has 14 boards. That used to be one good rebounding night for him. Furthermore, its not just the total of rebounds but the way he has been handling them. His totals would be even lower if he did not get a few bonus rebounds off his own missed bunnies earlier in the series. On the defensive end, when he has had the chance to grab a rebound he has started to play taps with him self. Fortunately most of the time these have been tapped over to Perk or Wallace, but a few times it has resulted in jump balls, or even Laker recoveries and baskets. What is up with this? His jumping has looked ok on catching a few lobs from Rondo, so I would be hard pressed to say its his legs causing the problem. I know that some have speculated he has a shoulder injury, but that would seem to have to affect him on the offensive end also. For whatever its worth Cedric Maxwell has also refused that notion saying he has had no work done on his shoulder. Now Im not trying to pick on the guy, and certainly was happy to see a very strong offensive performance in game 3. However, I think his rebounding is actually more important then his scoring for this team with Ray, Paul, Rondo, Sheed, Nate and even davis capable of scoring some points. What do other fans think of his rebounding? His tap routine on defensive boards, and just the overall poor result through three games?

[vinnie]

The main problem is he cannot win boards against the length of Bynum and Gasol when he is trying to tap the ball with one hand and then hopefully grab it on the second or third lunge. Those guys are just too big for this tactic to succeed.

[PosImpos]

I'm a lot more concerned with getting practically nothing of consequence from Paul.

To win this series we'll need at least 2 of the Big 4 to play like a Finals MVP for every single game from here on out.  It's difficult to imagine that happening, especially with Ray being so inconsistent and Paul basically being MIA.

[Bankshot]

I'm a lot more concerned with getting practically nothing of consequence from Paul.

To win this series we'll need at least 2 of the Big 4 to play like a Finals MVP for every single game from here on out.  It's difficult to imagine that happening, especially with Ray being so inconsistent and Paul basically being MIA.

I agree, but this thread is about KG's rebounding.  And his rebounding is extremely important.  No matter how well PP does, we'll have a tough time winning if KG doesn't rebound the ball.  So far, the team that has rebounded better has won the game.

[celticsclay]

I'm a lot more concerned with getting practically nothing of consequence from Paul.

To win this series we'll need at least 2 of the Big 4 to play like a Finals MVP for every single game from here on out.  It's difficult to imagine that happening, especially with Ray being so inconsistent and Paul basically being MIA.

I agree, but this thread is about KG's rebounding.  And his rebounding is extremely important.  No matter how well PP does, we'll have a tough time winning if KG doesn't rebound the ball.

Thank you. So this brings it back to the original question. Whats the problem? Its not like he is guarding channing frye and is constantly away from the basket. Wallace who we have beat up over the season as a horrible rebounder, is running circles aroung KG on the boards per minute stat.

[moiso]

That's one night of boardwork from the old KG.  He has lost some ability with age, but his aggresiveness has also been down due to confidence issues and foul trouble.  He definitely has to rebound a whole lot better for the C's to have a chance.

[PosImpos]

I'm a lot more concerned with getting practically nothing of consequence from Paul.

To win this series we'll need at least 2 of the Big 4 to play like a Finals MVP for every single game from here on out.  It's difficult to imagine that happening, especially with Ray being so inconsistent and Paul basically being MIA.

I agree, but this thread is about KG's rebounding.  And his rebounding is extremely important.  No matter how well PP does, we'll have a tough time winning if KG doesn't rebound the ball.  So far, the team that has rebounded better has won the game.

KG's rebounding is just a part of his bigger issues.  From what I've seen he consistently tries to rebound by tipping the ball in the air with one hand, and that doesn't work when the other team has 2 guys who are just as tall and long as he is.  He doesn't have the elevation anymore and he's still figuring out how to adjust his game to that.  Part of the result is he rebounds a lot less, especially when he's surrounded by towering fellas who aren't 34 years old.

The fact that KG is more often that not hanging outside of the paint to set a screen or get open for a mid range jumper doesn't help.  He's seldom under the glass boxing out for an offensive rebound.

[celticsclay]

The confidence and aggression issue seems to the response i am most likely to agree with at this point. I really dont think we should use age or physical conditioning as a reason when you compare him to rasheed wallace who is older and less fit but getting more boards.

[Who]

5 of those rebounds came in the first half the other night.

Garnett has only 9 rebounds in the other two and a half games (75 minutes). One every 8+ minutes which is are numbers you'd expect to see out of a shooting guard.

Beside that one good stretch in the first half of game three ... Garnett's rebounding has been horrific.

His defense has been sloppier than normal too ... later on defensive rotations than he normally is + not setting his feet and going up straight before trying to contest shots and making himself vulnerable to unnecessary fouls. But he looked a good bit better the other night than he did in LA which is a good sign.