Has KG gone too far (Charlie Villanueva comments) Update KG's response

[RAcker]

I don't know if this has been mentioned, but I clearly heard KG call Charlie V an "f-ing loser" as he left the floor last night.  This was picked up clearly on the audio during the Detroit broadcast.

I love KG, but he does need to check himself sometimes.  If he made any cancer related remark it was inappropriate.

[GreenFaith1819]

Well, all I know is that this is making me appreciate the crackdown with the referees now.

Mark me down on this:

"If I was an NBA ref, and I heard comments like this from KG, he'd be T'd up rather quickly".

Me.

I love Kevin Garnett and his intensity. I love the fact that he seems to be playing at or near 07-08 levels. I won't be burning his Green #5 T-shirt that I have. I love the fact that he plays for my favorite team.

But he has to know that there are real cancer patients in the world. When was the last time he visited a cancer ward?

It is ok to talk about player's games (or lack of). If players want to curse, that's on them. I find that distasteful, but hey I served in the Navy for crying out loud so I'm used to that.

I even cursed a few times. It's a part of life and the tempo of the job sometimes.

But we never knowingly joked about someone being a cancer patient.

[FatKidsDad]

Speaking as a cancer patient, I have no problem with it.

[crownsy]

I feel like much worse things have been said. If half the things said in the heat of battle were tweated after a game the public would be appalled.

Had Villaneuva actually had cancer it would be offensive.

I feel like this is a case of Charlie's feelings getting hurt because he is sensitive about the disease he has. Well, even with the disease he's still a millionaire player in the NBA.

Wow - because he has a different disease, it's not offensive?

And because Charlie makes good money, he should be immune to being a human being with issues about his lifelong disease?

No, Charlie should be a man and approach KG one on one. IT happened in the middle of a basketball game trash talk.

I've heard and probably said worse things at my local pick up spot. IF i have a real problem with it, I go up to the guy and tell him he crossed the line (happened like twice in 5 years of playing there)

I don't go home and post it on celticsblog/facebook ect and then challenge the guy to an internet fight.

That's bush league.

I think there's really two separate issues, thats what people are missing.

1) did KG cross the line? (I , and apparently many others think he did)

and the completely separate

2) is Charlie V a spineless player for dealing with it in public and doing the ultra bush league "I want to fight him...hold me back!" move after the fact,  and not as a man? (To which i also answer yes.)

Villanueva is not going to be able to get revenge on KG on a basketball court.  He's not good enough with the body or the mouth.  KG threw a low blow to Villanueva and Villanueva did the same in retaliation.  He got back at KG probably the only way he thought he could.  If he goes whining to KG after or during the game, he's going to look like even more of a baby to his peers.

you and me have different definitions about what it means to be a man and talk to someone one-on-one.

It's not a situation where you go up like a 10 year old and go "you big meanie!" and start acting like a spoiled child.

You go up after the game and go

"Hey man, just so you know, the cancer thing was a little overboard, I've got people in my life who died from that. I know it's a competitive game out there, but that's a little much"

and then you see what happens. If the guy acts like an moron, then fine, your the bigger man and he's a scumbag, and you move on with your life. who gives a flying pig if his teammates think he's hilarious or think your out of line. Those people don't effect my self image, there scumbags to if that's the case, and not worth the time it takes to think about them long enough to get angry.

but in my experience as an athlete, most times the other guy will go "sorry man, didn't realize i was crossing the line in the heat of the moment, my fault. we cool?"

problem solved, or at least addressed.

[snowball]

I guess his trash talk didn't work very well in the finals..how about he saves it for AFTER he prevents himself from being dominated by Gasol.

After a humiliating loss in the finals I think he should try to be a bit more humble, we're still "losers".

Excuse me but I wouldn't classify losing in Game 7 on the road
by 2 baskets when in the 4th quarter alone the referees called
a 21-6 free throw differential in Lakers favor a "humiliating loss".

[Chris]

But he has to know that there are real cancer patients in the world. When was the last time he visited a cancer ward?

March 15?

http://www.happynews.com/news/3152010/teen-meets-boston-celtics-kevin-garnett.htm

[crownsy]

But he has to know that there are real cancer patients in the world. When was the last time he visited a cancer ward?

March 15?

http://www.happynews.com/news/3152010/teen-meets-boston-celtics-kevin-garnett.htm

TP, How dare you bring facts into this Chris, The man is clearly a monster, not like those noted saints on the Court Larry Legend and MJ.

[GreenFaith1819]

But he has to know that there are real cancer patients in the world. When was the last time he visited a cancer ward?

March 15?

http://www.happynews.com/news/3152010/teen-meets-boston-celtics-kevin-garnett.htm

That's Very Nice.

But his comments were still inappropriate, no matter who he took a pic with.

[indeedproceed]

but in my experience as an athlete, most times the other guy will go "sorry man, didn't realize i was crossing the line in the heat of the moment, my fault. we cool?"

problem solved, or at least addressed.

2 things

#1, and a little off subject) Do people actually use the phrase "heat of the moment" without following it up directly with "tellin me what my heart meant"?

#2) I agree though. Talking to someone in the manner crownsy is describing is a pretty sound strategy in this situation. Sometimes though, the guy WILL say "I don't (expletive) care." Then, you can hate him and take your revenge how you will.

[Onslaught]

I've always thought KG ran his mouth too much. I know that players do it and I'm ok with the normal amount. But he's always been too much. And just because he's a Celtic now I won't start changing my view about that. If this was the 70's or 80's NBA and he ran his mouth like he's always done someone would've knocked him out by now.

That said the guy shouldn't talk about it the way he did. Either get in KG's face or keep it to yourself. Or thrown down or something.

[soap07]

Crossing the line.


The real problem is - KG doesn't nearly yap as much to the Tim Duncans and Kobes of the world. He picks and chooses when he's going to be a jerk on the court.

[crownsy]

But he has to know that there are real cancer patients in the world. When was the last time he visited a cancer ward?

March 15?

http://www.happynews.com/news/3152010/teen-meets-boston-celtics-kevin-garnett.htm

That's Very Nice.

But his comments were still inappropriate, no matter who he took a pic with.

So the fact that you through out another completly baseless statement and got caught doesn't take away from the weight of your arguments?

Sorry, but it does in my book.

You can't have it both ways, you wanted to portray him as a monster because he never visited kids with cancer, got contradicted, and now the contradiction of your entire stance isn't important because he should have known better because he visited kid's with cancer?

That's circular, and not compelling.

 while i agree with your overall premise Green, the things your throwing out there completely baseless statements (Larry and MJ never trash talked, changed to "well they weren't this bad" once people corrected you, now implying "kg hates cancer patients because he never does charity for them" morphed to "well he should have known better" now that this is also false) takes away from the impact your statements make.

Agree with the general tone that cancer talk in trash talking is to far, not impressed with the baseless claims.

[ballin]

1) How do you guys not understand that KG's comment was really just making fun of people with alopecia (the hair loss condition that CV has)?? If I said "Chris Bosh looks like a dinosaur" I'm insulting Chris Bosh, not dinosaurs. Likewise, telling CV that he looks like a cancer patient is a knock on him, not on cancer patients.

Talk about hyper-sensitivity for statements that aren't even being directed at a particular group.

2) Even if KG said something REALLY bad that hurt CV's feelings, CV looks like a total crybaby tattling on KG when he posts that crap on twitter. That's just straight up pathetic.

[JHTruth]

LOL. CV is a freaking pansy. Grow a pair CV. Makes me sick to hear this girl crying like this on twitter.

Bird used to make fun of Walton's stutter all the time and laugh at his injuries. I'm so sick of these pansy's getting their feelings hurt about a little trash talk. Pathetic..

[Evantime34]

As far as players like Bird and McHale or players of that generation not talking trash in the same manner I have two words. COME ON!

Players used to brawl on a consistent basis back then. You think they were willing to come to blows but hurting someone's feelings were off limits? Isiah Thomas said the Magic got AIDS because he was gay and that was someone who used to be his friend. If anything the trash talk now has lessened because people in general are more tolerant.

As far as Charlie V challenging KG to a fight I think we know how that would end. Villaneuva would come out with a flurry of blows that Garnett would block but would not be able to put his hands up when Garnett tried to hit him. Why you ask? because even in fights Villaneuva doesn't play any defense. Badum-Ching. Thanks folks I'll be here all week try the veal it's excellent.