While everyone was ripping into KG...

[Big Ticket]

During the NBA Fastbreak recap, the host mentioned that the crew had differing opinions on the Finals MVP.  The host said he picked Pierce (who definitely earned it).  I was fully expecting Greg Anthony and Jalen Rose (admittedly, not the sharpest tools) to say Ray Allen... but they both said Kevin Garnett.  Whaaaa?

Well, they completely acknowledged his shooting struggles in this series, but they did an interesting thing.  Up went the following:

NBA FINALS CAREER

PTS:  15.1
FG%:  45%
FT%:  52%
REB:  22.5

Not extremely impressive at first sight, and I'm sure most of you can guess who this is.  None other than Mr. Bill Russell.  Their point?  Defense and rebounding are absolutely huge factors to winning a championship.  They said everyone complained for KG to dominate the paint, but said he did just that - you can dominate the paint on defense.  KG was in foul trouble and without his main assistant in Game 4, and the result was great games by Odom and Gasol.  The other 5 games?  Odom and Gasol averaged under 10 points combined in the 2nd halves.  KG was the only Celtic big man to play more than 20 minutes a game.  When the games go tight, KG stepped it up on defense.  I know a lot was the Lakers offense losing all semblance of what made it great, but Odom and Gasol were out there, and KG made sure they did not contribute.  There are no clutch stats for defense, but KG definitely stepped it up.

Now, I'm not trying to say KG is the Finals MVP, because Pierce played some fine, fine, fine defense of his own.  But I hope everyone that ripped into this guy for his performances in games 1-3 realizes that his rebounding, his defense, his activity setting screens and moving the ball on offense, and his determination to never quit played an invaluable part in this teams title.  And don't so easily forget that he was heads and shoulders the teams most consistent player for the first 20 games of these playoffs.

This team is a team is a team.  Every player played their part and I am pretty shocked at the ire pointed KG's way during these finals.  When Ray's shot is off, he is somewhat limited as a contributor.  When KG's shot is off, he can still win you games.  The Celtics are champions.  PP is a champion.  Ray Allen is a champion.  Doc Rivers is a champion.  KG is a champion.  It feels good to say that.  Let's enjoy this.

[Redz]

KG's the man.  It was a team effort and we was the driving force behind this teams energy.  Does anyone think Eddie House ever played a lick of defense in his career before this season?

KG had double-doubles every game.

Pierce is a no brainer MVP of this series, but KG did his thing

[joebianca]

What are they gonna say now..

KISS THE RING.

[wahz]

During the NBA Fastbreak recap, the host mentioned that the crew had differing opinions on the Finals MVP.  The host said he picked Pierce (who definitely earned it).  I was fully expecting Greg Anthony and Jalen Rose (admittedly, not the sharpest tools) to say Ray Allen... but they both said Kevin Garnett.  Whaaaa?

Well, they completely acknowledged his shooting struggles in this series, but they did an interesting thing.  Up went the following:

NBA FINALS CAREER

PTS:  15.1
FG%:  45%
FT%:  52%
REB:  22.5

Not extremely impressive at first sight, and I'm sure most of you can guess who this is.  None other than Mr. Bill Russell.  Their point?  Defense and rebounding are absolutely huge factors to winning a championship.  They said everyone complained for KG to dominate the paint, but said he did just that - you can dominate the paint on defense.  KG was in foul trouble and without his main assistant in Game 4, and the result was great games by Odom and Gasol.  The other 5 games?  Odom and Gasol averaged under 10 points combined in the 2nd halves.  KG was the only Celtic big man to play more than 20 minutes a game.  When the games go tight, KG stepped it up on defense.  I know a lot was the Lakers offense losing all semblance of what made it great, but Odom and Gasol were out there, and KG made sure they did not contribute.  There are no clutch stats for defense, but KG definitely stepped it up.

Now, I'm not trying to say KG is the Finals MVP, because Pierce played some fine, fine, fine defense of his own.  But I hope everyone that ripped into this guy for his performances in games 1-3 realizes that his rebounding, his defense, his activity setting screens and moving the ball on offense, and his determination to never quit played an invaluable part in this teams title.  And don't so easily forget that he was heads and shoulders the teams most consistent player for the first 20 games of these playoffs.

This team is a team is a team.  Every player played their part and I am pretty shocked at the ire pointed KG's way during these finals.  When Ray's shot is off, he is somewhat limited as a contributor.  When KG's shot is off, he can still win you games.  The Celtics are champions.  PP is a champion.  Ray Allen is a champion.  Doc Rivers is a champion.  KG is a champion.  It feels good to say that.  Let's enjoy this.

ummmm 22.5 rebounds a game was "not impressive" to you? holy cramps!!!! Well I will tell you that as amazing as your analysis is that if KG was getting say 18 a game you would have heard no complaints. Sheesh. Night and congrats this will NOT be our only title with KG and all!! WAY TO GO KG YOU DA MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Big Ticket]

During the NBA Fastbreak recap, the host mentioned that the crew had differing opinions on the Finals MVP.  The host said he picked Pierce (who definitely earned it).  I was fully expecting Greg Anthony and Jalen Rose (admittedly, not the sharpest tools) to say Ray Allen... but they both said Kevin Garnett.  Whaaaa?

Well, they completely acknowledged his shooting struggles in this series, but they did an interesting thing.  Up went the following:

NBA FINALS CAREER

PTS:  15.1
FG%:  45%
FT%:  52%
REB:  22.5

Not extremely impressive at first sight, and I'm sure most of you can guess who this is.  None other than Mr. Bill Russell.  Their point?  Defense and rebounding are absolutely huge factors to winning a championship.  They said everyone complained for KG to dominate the paint, but said he did just that - you can dominate the paint on defense.  KG was in foul trouble and without his main assistant in Game 4, and the result was great games by Odom and Gasol.  The other 5 games?  Odom and Gasol averaged under 10 points combined in the 2nd halves.  KG was the only Celtic big man to play more than 20 minutes a game.  When the games go tight, KG stepped it up on defense.  I know a lot was the Lakers offense losing all semblance of what made it great, but Odom and Gasol were out there, and KG made sure they did not contribute.  There are no clutch stats for defense, but KG definitely stepped it up.

Now, I'm not trying to say KG is the Finals MVP, because Pierce played some fine, fine, fine defense of his own.  But I hope everyone that ripped into this guy for his performances in games 1-3 realizes that his rebounding, his defense, his activity setting screens and moving the ball on offense, and his determination to never quit played an invaluable part in this teams title.  And don't so easily forget that he was heads and shoulders the teams most consistent player for the first 20 games of these playoffs.

This team is a team is a team.  Every player played their part and I am pretty shocked at the ire pointed KG's way during these finals.  When Ray's shot is off, he is somewhat limited as a contributor.  When KG's shot is off, he can still win you games.  The Celtics are champions.  PP is a champion.  Ray Allen is a champion.  Doc Rivers is a champion.  KG is a champion.  It feels good to say that.  Let's enjoy this.

ummmm 22.5 rebounds a game was "not impressive" to you? holy cramps!!!! Well I will tell you that as amazing as your analysis is that if KG was getting say 18 a game you would have heard no complaints. Sheesh. Night and congrats this will NOT be our only title with KG and all!! WAY TO GO KG YOU DA MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh I absolutely think 22.5 boards a game is mindblowing... but the stats on the whole aren't that impressive because of the points and pretty poor shooting percentages.  Not trying to make like of Bill Russell.... just reminding people that there are (and have been) players that can dominate a game without scoring 30.