Great Jackie McMullan article on KG's season and rehab

[Drucci]

Just found it on the Globe. Simply put, it's one of the best Celtics articles of the year. A lot of insight on KG's injury last year, his will not to get surgery, his tough rehab, his pregame rituals, his change of approach in the game, the criticism and the strategy of opponents to go at KG, him getting older, etc.

Here it is : http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/04/17/questioning_adds_to_garnetts_pain/?page=1

Great read, we learn a lot about KG and it's kind of sad but giving hope, at the same time, that next year KG will come back stronger.

[Bahku]

Great article, Drucci ... TP for sharing.

And to KG: We're with you, Big Guy, all the way ... we have faith in you and are behind you 100%. Don't listen to the doubters, they'll always be there and always have been, and you know how to prove them wrong ... we know you can and will. The rest of us will lift you high and give you the emotional support you need to beat this. You're the Big Ticket, and we believe in all that means, and know you'll give us all you have. Close your ears to the nay-sayers, and keep your eyes on the prize ... we'll be right behind you!

[lon3lytoaster]

My only problem with this article is that it was far too short. If this had been a 500 page book, I think I would have read it start to finish in one sitting. Terrific work by Jackie and a TP for sharing.

[arctic 3.0]

terrific article.
anyone who counts out KG this post season is going to get blindsided.

[thirstyboots18]

Loved the article.  That justifies what I felt was going on with KG this season. 

What I thought was really interesting was KG's statement that Doc is a "dictator" and has seemingly total control over his players.  My opinion of Doc, which was already high, has risen again.  It could be that Doc has had purpose behind his plan, and it could be that just might work.

It also sounds like Kevin, at least, wants the core to return for another chance next year, and recognizes that Rondo and Perk should be the new leaders.  (I am also not of the opinion that they are finished...they might need their roles redefined...and we do need more young players to grow into good role players to compliment Rondo and Perk.)

Jackie M. has produced yet another masterful article! 

[pengaloo]

Really well written article. It gives great insight into the team dynamics. This article has me really looking forward to next year. KG will be the next Steve Nash. I wonder what KG thinks about this postseason though...there's not a whole lot mentioned about it though so I'm hoping he doesn't already believe it's a lost cause.

[twinbree]

TP for sharing Drucci. Another great piece from McMullan as usual. Wish KG the best as he continues to get better.

And I really like the idea of the core returning. They just need to sit down in the offseason and think hard about how to best maximize the current skills of the team not the team of two years ago.

[jsingh1699]

i thought it was interesting saunders told his bigs to block/goal tend garnett's first shot to mentally get him worried and hesitant for the rest of the game.

i think against miami, in beasley and j o'neal, neither of those guys can compete with him if hes at that high level. he is gonna rip beasley apart if he takes him down low and his confidence is gonna surge going against the cavs. side show bob wont be expecting that intensity from garnett.

[Neurotic Guy]

Great article.

Does anyone doubt that KG, Pierce and Ray are all still key major contributors? They've all had their time as a team's #1 and then all got together to be 1A, 1B ancd 1C on the C's in 2007-8.  But they are now unable to carry a team on their shoulders -- either individually as they each once did, or collectively they did 2 years ago.  But -- they are all talented and competitive. The C's do need another dominant player to win a championship and I don't think that it will come from the PG position.  I don't know how they'll get that player but my dream would be for him to arrive while the THE THREE are still here.  I'd love to see them get another ring.  I'll be happy this year if:
1) Beat Miami
2) Give Cleveland a serious scare
3) Lakers lose (preferably early)

Then let Danny work some magic (and it will have to be real magic) this summer.

[Vermont Green]

The article was very good.  I am so glad we got to have these few years with Garnett as a Celtic.  I think the article did leave out one thing though and that is the injury in December (hyperextended knee) where he missed 10 games.

Garnett was playing just fine at the beginning of the year and appeared to have recovered from the bone spur thing.  Since coming back from the mid season injury is where the problem has been.  I wish she had asked what happened with that injury.

My point is that he was playing better in November and December than he is even lately so how could it be that last year's surgery is the problem?

[housecall]

Personally i felt all alone KG has more left in the tank and hopefully the playoffs and next season things will improve...however,where i disagree with Jackie and most,i would like to see a new C on this team next season as a starter.Either Perk come off the bench or trade him for another center.

[twinbree]

i thought it was interesting saunders told his bigs to block/goal tend garnett's first shot to mentally get him worried and hesitant for the rest of the game.

That part really struck me too. Can't imagine how tough it'd feel to go from being a match-up nightmare for opponents to a perceived weakness coaches actively plan to exploit. Good thing is he knows he'll get better with time. I thought based on Ray's experience he'd need a season at least to recover from his surgery and I'm glad to hear that is so and not that he's not had a setback or progressing slower than he should.

[RebusRankin]

Very interesting stuff. Am curious to see how KG evolves.

[joeb]

I'm thinking KG needs to do the same thing that they did to him...1st possession go and goaltend the shot, heave it into the 10th row and make a statement!!

[Redz]

Some very poignant quotes from KG.  My favorite was hearing him talk about not wanting to sit because he's getting paid.

McHale's perspective was a nice touch too.

Good stuff.