Enough with the KG doubters already

[gar]

KG has kept the C's in the Playoffs and has been the only consistent member of the big three. Perhaps we have finally heard the last of the KG doubters. Yes he plays with emotion; but he has matured to the point where he has outgrown his nerves and is as clutch as the next guy. Does he have to be like Chauncey and put up bad numbers only to hit the big shot at the end of the game to be appreciated?

[NicaraguanFan]

KG has kept the C's in the Playoffs and has been the only consistent member of the big three. Perhaps we have finally heard the last of the KG doubters. Yes he plays with emotion; but he has matured to the point where he has outgrown his nerves and is as clutch as the next guy. Does he have to be like Chauncey and put up bad numbers only to hit the big shot at the end of the game to be appreciated?

I totally agree. KG plays consistent the whole game not just in clutch time...

NF.

[SShoreFan 2.0]

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.

[Big Ticket]

But... but... but... KG is a career losser.  But... but... but... KG disappears in big games and big moments.  But... but... but...

[td450]

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

[Edgar]

He hasnt win anything yet.

He will have his first chance tomorrow

To become Eastern Conference Champion

After that he will become a winner. 

[gar]

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.

[CoachBo]

Only criticism I have of his game is that when he's inside 10 feet with the basketball, he needs to shoot it. EVERY single time.

The unselfishness leads to turnovers.

[KJ33]

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.

[Bahku]

Only criticism I have of his game is that when he's inside 10 feet with the basketball, he needs to shoot it. EVERY single time.

The unselfishness leads to turnovers.

I agree, CB ... TP. The only thing that bugs me about Ticket, is that he's a little too unselfish at times, and seems hesitant to shoot when he's at that 12 to 15 foot mark. He's got to take that shot ... maybe not all the time, as it is important to reward your team-mates, but definitely 80% of the time. I think that hesitancy - that tentativeness - can effect other parts of your game, if you do it too often. I want KG to be monstrously aggressive, and transfer that energy to the basket.

[guava_wrench]

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.

[Bahku]

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.

[guava_wrench]

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.

[NoraG1]

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.

Yes, cause KG was the only problem at the end of the game. 

He scored 10 of the 24 points in the 4th and hit the clutch free throws at the end. He is not perfect but who is?

[Bahku]

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.