Why did Garnett seem exhausted in the 2nd half?

[CelticsPrideKG]

Anyone have any theories on why KG looked so exhausted from the beginning of the 2nd half until about 2:00 left in the 4th quarter? He was short on his jumper, and his aggression didn't seem at the same level as the first half.

I'm hoping this was just an effect on being dominant in the first half and probably lack of sleep due to anticipation of the game.  I would hate to think that this would be a trend in the future.

EDIT: However, enought CAN'T be said about his defense and rebounding the entire game so maybe it was just being off on his J in the 2nd half.

[Redz]

He's out of shape

[fairweatherfan]

KG's intensity can hurt him sometimes, it can wear him out, especially when he's carrying the load on both ends of the court as he did the entire 1st half. 

I thought his 2nd half misses were less from exhaustion then from rushing his jumpshot though - even when he was wide open he was chucking it quickly instead of setting his feet and stabilizing for a split second like he usually does.  When KG sets himself he shoots a great %, when he rushes his shot he becomes very inconsistent. 

[Big Ticket]

It was a very long and drawn out game.  That shouldn't affect the physical fatigue, but probably drained him mentally.

Also, this is the longest season of his 13 year career.  Playing with that much effort for 100+ games has to drain you eventually.

I think he'll be fine, though.

[Bahku]

Because he hustled his butt off ... like he does every game! He was no more exhausted than he always is, and this is not a concern.

[EJPLAYA]

Because he hustled his butt off ... like he does every game! He was no more exhausted than he always is, and this is not a concern.

Almost verbatim what I was going to write Bahku. 100% dead on. Funny. Why is a guy who is killing himself out there on the court giving everything he has looking a bit tired...

[fan33]

Why? Yeah, big guy playing at high intensity does begin to show in the forth. I actually typed in the game thread, I thought he should be sat @ 5 minutes to go, and gone to small ball with Powe. But hey, what do I know ...

I do wished he wouldn't settle for those longer jumpers in the forth, where as you rightly point out he's at least somewhat gassed and not getting his normal legs into the shot, IMO...

[Hoops]

I think people make too much of KG's intensity and that it saps his energy. I don't buy it, personally. He missed a few jumpers last night - big deal. He played with focus and passion the whole game - I was thrilled myself.

I've been waiting for the right thread to bring up another thought. Here will do. Did anyone watching on t.v. notice Garnett sitting on the bench before the game? He looked so calm and peaceful, yet focused and grateful. He didn't have the usual intense sweaty rage that you usually see. It was almost as if a career's worth of pressure had been washed away now that he's in the Finals. I thought it was a really cool moment.

I felt that his play last night reflected his inner peace. He was deliberate, focused and intense without being high-strung and stressed out about it. I thought he played like a man that knew he was going to win, he just had to finish the race. Quiet confidence.

I don't want to find out, but I suspect that if Pierce can't go at full strength, KG won't let the Celtics lose this series.

[reggie35]

It was a very long and drawn out game.  That shouldn't affect the physical fatigue, but probably drained him mentally.

Also, this is the longest season of his 13 year career.  Playing with that much effort for 100+ games has to drain you eventually.

I think he'll be fine, though.

Yeah, it's hard to describe but on the offensive end he just seems to try to do everything too quickly in the fourth quarter. It's not like physically he's spent. He threw down that put back pretty hard, but mentally he gets off his game more often than not on the offensive end. It's like he wants it so bad he can't wait for it.  I'd try and run a few alley oops or something to try and calm him down and not allow him to make stupid passes.

It would also help him if the Celtics pushed the temp in the 4th quarter instead of playing slow down. Every time Rondo signals for that elbow play, I know that turnover (or something close to it) is on its way. If they pushed the ball, many times KG would be out in front or established in a good post position where even he would not pass it back out. I understand trying to milk the clock but not with 8,6, or even 3 minutes left in a close game.

[CT34]

I was at the game and KG didn't look exhausted to me.  How many point did Pau Gasol had in the 2nd half?  How many rebounds did Gasol have in the 2nd half?  Who was guarding Gasol in the 2nd half?  

KG was not exhausted I think his teammates did a bad job of getting him the ball late in the offense.  They missed him a few time running up the court. Also, Pau Gasol does not want any part of KG in this series that was clear from the start.
  

[Norcalceltic]

KG is very intense and seems to get stressed. Of course the presure of Game 1 in the Finals is stressful, but there has been stories of KG not sleeping for 3 days in a row. I think the adrenaline was pumping like crazy for KG. It's also a little bit like being in a fight. You could be in great shape cardio wise, but the stress of being in a fight will make you gas very quickly. The night before a game KG should get a massage, do some yoga, take a warm bath, get busy with the wife, eat a turkey sandwich, drink some chamomile, listen to some soothing music, and douse himself in lavender oil. The day of the game is when he should turn into the Blood-Thirsty Psycho we all know and love.

[CT34]

KG look really exhausted when he went up and dunk the ball on Pau Gasol head. 

[bbc3341]

I didn't see him as tired, I mean if he'd hit 4 of those 9 straight misses we wouldn't be saying that - I think you're right on about it just being his shot not falling. He was so on in the 1st that % wise it had to even out, I just didn't expect 0 for 9!

BTW I really watched him of defense this game, not watching the ball, just him and sweet chestnuts the guy moves SO much he is all over the place. He is by far the BEST defensive player on the floor and it isn't even close. He should have been the MVP. Kobe is better on O, but the difference is not as great as the diff between them on the defensive end. The MVP should be for the total package but with there being a "def player of the year" and nothing for the O player OTY the MVP is really an offensive award... 2bad KG in my mind is the best player in the league...

[pearljammer10]

hmm could have been the fact that he worked his tail off in the first half? I dont know if you saw that or not.

[CT34]

I didn't see him as tired, I mean if he'd hit 4 of those 9 straight misses we wouldn't be saying that - I think you're right on about it just being his shot not falling. He was so on in the 1st that % wise it had to even out, I just didn't expect 0 for 9!

BTW I really watched him of defense this game, not watching the ball, just him and sweet chestnuts the guy moves SO much he is all over the place. He is by far the BEST defensive player on the floor and it isn't even close. He should have been the MVP. Kobe is better on O, but the difference is not as great as the diff between them on the defensive end. The MVP should be for the total package but with there being a "def player of the year" and nothing for the O player OTY the MVP is really an offensive award... 2bad KG in my mind is the best player in the league...

I have to agree with you about KG being the best defensive player on the court.  I also think he got called for a bad call when he clearly block Gasol late in the 4th. KG controlled the game in the first half on offense and took over the game in the 2nd half on D.  He shut down two players Odem and Gasol in the 2nd half. Plus he came out on Kobe to force him into even harder shots.