Paul Pierce gets it, KG doesn't... (booing)

[Roy Hobbs]

Here are the respective quotes from KG and Paul regarding last night's booing by the home crowd:

“Then don’t come to the (expletive) games” . . .

“No, I mean, we’re at home, man, and we look for our fans to give energy and to give us a spark when times are tough.

“It doesn’t help when the boos happen, but we’re a group of veterans and we are a team - a real team. You know, we’re not fair-weather. So when that occurs we all sort of just get together and say we’ve just got to grind this out. Through any type of adversity, you grip up and come together. I think that’s where your bond comes and is very much needed at that point.”

Comparing the sermon from the stands to those back when the Celtics were a lottery team, he said, “I don’t think it’s anything different. When they booed us in the past it was because of effort. It wasn’t because we were a bad team. Because I’ve been on bad teams where they cheered us and they sold out and cheered us every night.

“So I think it’s all about the effort. Regardless if you win or lose, the fans want that effort. When you see the other team beating us to all the loose balls and we’re turning the ball over, I think that’s the things they see and they start to boo about. I don’t think it’s about missed shots and stuff like that.

“It definitely wasn’t our best effort.”

It's very disappointing to hear KG blame the fans, and suggest that the fans are "fair weather".  Why on earth would the crowd stand up and cheer this team's effort last night?  These guys are making tens of millions of dollars, and they can't play hard for 30 minutes or so?

Paul Pierce sums up my feelings exactly.  The Boston crowd is a great one, and they've supported this team through thick and thin.  When the talent hasn't been there, but the hustle has been, they've received ovations and full crowds. 

For KG to think that the crowd should stand and genuflect to the team's greatness when they're sleep-walking is misguided and wrong.  He needs to take a long look in the mirror, and have his "not fair-weather" teammates do the same thing.

[Roy Hobbs]

I'll also add, my respect factor for Paul went up after that quote (even though I've always respected him), and my respect for KG went down.  Booing sucks, but what sucks worse is a team of "professionals" wasting the night of the paying ticket holders.

I feel bad for the working families that make it to maybe one Celtics game a year who had to sit through that disaster.  For KG to call them out after they rightfully voiced their displeasure is uncalled for.

[CelticHooligan3]

Here here!! I can't agree with you any more Mr. Hobbs. KG's comments show a lack of understanding of the Beantown faithful. While Paul's seem to reflect the fans. It's completely true tho. I can remember some of those sad days in the 90's up until the Big Al days when the team was very sub par talent wise but as long as the fans saw the effort out there on the floor they'd cheer. The lack of effort hasn't been there from this years team & the fans reaction is going to reflect that. KG should step up & rip his teammates effort for that sad show the put on last night... Or maybe that's Rasheeds job.

[lon3lytoaster]

I don't want to go as far as to say that those comments made me dislike KG, but they don't make me happy at all. Maybe if those "fair weather fans" didn't come to the games, he wouldn't be sitting on a nice 20 million dollar deal right now.

And with the way he looks, like he doesn't even want to really play anymore, he deserves very little cheering. Chalk it up to physical decline, but either way that fire in his eye is gone, for sure.

[CelticHooligan3]

Maybe to KG we're nameless voiceless faces of the Boston mob & rabble. And we should cheer for his Sire & high court when they whipe their buttocks or put up a horrible performance like last night. But in reality his reaction just shows me how out of touch with Boston & it's fanbase he really is.

Were one of the more educated & historically inclined fanbases in all of basketball. Last I checked we had more banners hanging in our rafters than any other team so we've seen some winning teams. And obviously we've seen some loading teams as well. But it's the effort that we look for. I love my team a lot more than any individual player on it & if they disrespect the green & white & tradition & even history of the jersey they put on with sad inexcusable no effort performances like last night then they can expect the boos to reign down on them in a chorus.

They forget it's an honor & not a right to put that jersey on. They should wake up & start acting like it. That's not the kind of basketball were accustomed to, nor will we ever be.  

[FallGuy]

I wouldn't be shocked if two years from now most of the fanbase resented or outright disliked KG. Even if he wasn't yapping so much, that contract would be annoying to deal with. Add in his bad attitude and bad play... it could get ugly.

[Chief]

It makes me want to trade him. Not just because of his comments but his knee and his lack of being a defensive stopper. The guy will still have huge value on the open market.

[Roy Hobbs]

The guy will still have huge value on the open market.

I'm not sure about that.  His game is in noticeable decline, and he has one of the largest contracts in the NBA.  Not many teams could absorb that, and those that can aren't generally loaded with young guys to give us good value.

[celticinorlando]

Hey KG....when you and your mates bring a fair weather effort at home time and time again...then you deserve everything you get. you of all people are just about out of gas with your game. you struggle on both ends and the end is near. i am tired of your bravado being followed by nothing.


you guys can't flip the switch and you guys aren't going to change for the playoffs.

[openairmovie]

Maybe to KG we're nameless voiceless faces of the Boston mob & rabble. And we should cheer for his Sire & high court when they whipe their buttocks or put up a horrible performance like last night. But in reality his reaction just shows me how out of touch with Boston & it's fanbase he really is.

Were one of the more educated & historically inclined fanbases in all of basketball. Last I checked we had more banners hanging in our rafters than any other team so we've seen some winning teams. And obviously we've seen some loading teams as well. But it's the effort that we look for. I love my team a lot more than any individual player on it & if they disrespect the green & white & tradition & even history of the jersey they put on with sad inexcusable no effort performances like last night then they can expect the boos to reign down on them in a chorus.

They forget it's an honor & not a right to put that jersey on. They should wake up & start acting like it. That's not the kind of basketball were accustomed to, nor will we ever be.  

He is out of touch with the fans    really  I sat courtside a month ago and as the kids are holding out hands for simple high fives  every players slapped them one except one...

the kids high five tunnel two weeks ago when I was at the game...KG walks through the kids tunnel and walks through the outreached hands   if your gunna be a jerk about it dont go through and excite the kids

Whens the last time you saw KG do a public signing?  I've seen Pierce three times this season, Ray Allen did two and one private signing...Ive yet to see even a private by KG

How about community service plugs that you see all over the celts site.  Ive seen Bill Walker, Ray, Paul,  Rondo and even Rasheed  do a bunch but I never hear KGS name pop up on these things

Frankly I get the impression that he doesnt give a crap about the fans and he is proving it more and more each week

[celticinorlando]

KG is what he is. his actions last year of not sitting on the bench until he was forced showed me all i needed to know about what kind of teammate he can be off the court. i like KG and am thankful for banner 17...but he is in denial about the status of this team as well as his current skills. his game is finished.

[Chief]

The guy will still have huge value on the open market.

I'm not sure about that.  His game is in noticeable decline, and he has one of the largest contracts in the NBA.  Not many teams could absorb that, and those that can aren't generally loaded with young guys to give us good value.

Would you take Okafor and Posey?

[wiley]

Not great quotes from KG, but I'm willing to let it slide because he said what he said in a state of being p---ed off.....It's like when you spill your orange juice  and your companion says:  "Way to go Clutz."  Or you hurt someone's feelings accidentally and then get called an ****"  We all get upset and defensive in those cases....

I'm not prepared to ever criticize KG's effort.  His play yes.  Effort no.  If he looks lame out there then he's tired.  He's played too hard over his entire career for me to question the effort now.  And he's done too much for the Celtics.  Just as I would never go the park and boo Ortiz.  I'd never boo KG.

I also think, in today's media saturated market, players are not just reacting to the fans in the stadium.  They are also reacting the general media climate, striking back at it if you will.  Not saying the players read the blog, but the media does and I'm sure plenty in the media are also blog members (is that against blog rules?)

Anway, the blog helps set the media tone in this city, and it can get pretty rough and at times ugly on here.  So, imo, it's not just the booing that players react to at times.

Agree though.  Paul got it right and KG wrong.  But I see no need to start a fight with about it.  I believe in his effort and I believe he cares.  It's that other tall vet I worry about in the caring department....

[Roy Hobbs]

The guy will still have huge value on the open market.

I'm not sure about that.  His game is in noticeable decline, and he has one of the largest contracts in the NBA.  Not many teams could absorb that, and those that can aren't generally loaded with young guys to give us good value.

Would you take Okafor and Posey?

No; I don't think they'd improve the team in either the long- or short-term.

[celticinorlando]

again.....if this was a 1 time thing then i could understand KGs reaction...but these blowouts have been numerous at home this season.....the spurs, mavs, cavs, wiz, griz