This is not a doubt but an observation -- KG seems to pass on some obviously wide open opportunities down close to the net, opting to make the additional pass that many times seems to be one too many.

That being said, the man hit at least 3 at the buzzer shots that were amazing - but they were all from at least 15 feet out.  I only notice the hesitancy when he's within or near the paint.

No one doubts that KG gets a lot done in any game he plays in, but he's making too many mistakes too. Last night was a great example. He typified the C's. Great D, made some big shots, but looked very shaky out there on too many occasions to ignore.  He had several unforced turnovers that looked like they were caused by nerves

He has proven to me that he has the heart of a winner. Perhaps that much was never in doubt. As for the offensive melt downs. Most of these seem to come from a lack of perimeter ball movement. If this is because KG is not pulling the defense in close to the bucket to allow more room at the perimeter, that seems more of a coaching issue. Doc always complains that we get pulled out of our offense then it is up to him or Rondo to make sure that KG is where he needs to be. It is not KG's fault that we launch too many quick three's late in the game when we should be driving and dishing. I know we run a lot through  KG; but if players loose their spacing it is not his fault.

This is not a doubt but an observation -- KG seems to pass on some obviously wide open opportunities down close to the net, opting to make the additional pass that many times seems to be one too many.

That being said, the man hit at least 3 at the buzzer shots that were amazing - but they were all from at least 15 feet out.  I only notice the hesitancy when he's within or near the paint.

I know you said it was not doubt, just observation, and I think you are seeing it correctly, but I think we need to consider this "fault" in the big picture.  He must not have turned down too many opportunities, if he ended up with a game high 33 points.  I remember the exact plays to which you are referring, but with a great player like KG, who does so many great things, you have to go with a +/- column and realize his pluses far outweigh his minuses, making any specific critique about one particular area ring more hollow than say if it was Leon Powe, where these errors would constitute a greater % of what he was bringing to the table. 

I would also like KG to shoot those shots, but if he puts up the #s and plays D the way he has, and still passes those up, that is far better than him shooting those every single time, always doing everything the way we think he should, but ending up with 15 points and 4 rebounds.  No player does every single thing on the court perfectly, if you play 10 minutes and get 4 points, specific individual flaws matter far more than if you are the stud of the team like KG and do all the things he does for the team.

It isn't doubt. There are times when he is frustrating because he makes horrible decisions to pass up open looks in important situations, and these plays put games at risk.

The best example was in game 5, when he passed up an open five footer on a break to pass to Pierce on the left side 10 ft away from the hoop and ended up passing straight to a Piston. After that, we were locked down for the next few possessions as the Pistons caught up.

That pass was more harmful than Perkins Tech.

We all love KG, but he needs to be called out for those decisions because they are obvious mistakes that shouldn't happen to an all-star caliber player, not to mention a hall-of-famer, who is even a slightly competent shooter.

Quote from: guava_wrench on May 30, 2008, 12:08:14 AM

It isn't doubt. There are times when he is frustrating because he makes horrible decisions to pass up open looks in important situations, and these plays put games at risk.

The best example was in game 5, when he passed up an open five footer on a break to pass to Pierce on the left side 10 ft away from the hoop and ended up passing straight to a Piston. After that, we were locked down for the next few possessions as the Pistons caught up.

That pass was more harmful than Perkins Tech.

We all love KG, but he needs to be called out for those decisions because they are obvious mistakes that shouldn't happen to an all-star caliber player, not to mention a hall-of-famer, who is even a slightly competent shooter.

I'd normally agree with the "calling out" for such mistakes, but I can guarantee you that KG is being harder on himself and calling himself out far more than anyone else could. He's a guy who is acutely aware of his performances and mistakes, and works harder than most on correcting those errors and tendancies. I'm pretty sure he knows what a horrendous blunder that was, how foolish he looked, how costly it could have been, and will do his best to adjust.

In case you haven't noticed, he's made the same mistake over and over again. It was already his reputation in Minny. I also don't see how you can guarantee anything about KG. Are you his psychologist?

I am also not "calling him out". I am observing how it almost cost us and it could eventually cost us a series.

Quote from: Bahku on May 30, 2008, 12:16:56 AM

Quote from: guava_wrench on May 30, 2008, 12:08:14 AM

It isn't doubt. There are times when he is frustrating because he makes horrible decisions to pass up open looks in important situations, and these plays put games at risk.

The best example was in game 5, when he passed up an open five footer on a break to pass to Pierce on the left side 10 ft away from the hoop and ended up passing straight to a Piston. After that, we were locked down for the next few possessions as the Pistons caught up.

That pass was more harmful than Perkins Tech.

We all love KG, but he needs to be called out for those decisions because they are obvious mistakes that shouldn't happen to an all-star caliber player, not to mention a hall-of-famer, who is even a slightly competent shooter.

I'd normally agree with the "calling out" for such mistakes, but I can guarantee you that KG is being harder on himself and calling himself out far more than anyone else could. He's a guy who is acutely aware of his performances and mistakes, and works harder than most on correcting those errors and tendancies. I'm pretty sure he knows what a horrendous blunder that was, how foolish he looked, how costly it could have been, and will do his best to adjust.

In case you haven't noticed, he's made the same mistake over and over again. It was already his reputation in Minny. I also don't see how you can guarantee anything about KG. Are you his psychologist?

I am also not "calling him out". I am observing how it almost cost us and it could eventually cost us a series.

Man, GV ... can't you discuss things without taking it personally? I wasn't dissing you in any way, just stating my opinion. You said that KG needs to be "called out", not me. I haven't noticed? Am I his psychologist? What's up with the nasty insinuations?!?

Saying I can "guarantee" is a metaphor or hypebole for saying he's most likely doing so, and I'm sure you've used the phrase yourself from time-to-time, like most people have. Please don't use it literally against me just because it's convenient ... I think you're intelligent enough to know what I meant.

Honestly, upon re-reading my reply, I can't see anything that would provoke this personal bashing crap. I was actually agreeing with most of what you were saying, just stating that I wouldn't call him out, (your words), because he's hard enough on himself ... pretty benign stuff.