KG should apologize

[Hila]

I would respect Villanueva's outrage more if he had placed it in the context of concern about bullying.  Bullying IS a huge problem in society, and nowhere more than sports.  But as a personal thing?  That's pretty weak. 

I would respect CV more in the case, too.

But instead, what he's done is try to make himself the biggest bully-- or at least a lacky/toady/wannabe on the "right side."

Stating that he wants to punch another person because that person would not punch back? Sounds a bit bullyish to me.

Spreading information that was never intended to be public all over social media, prompting lots of people who were never involved to call the rival names? Isn't that what happens in the new era of bullying?

By the time KG got a chance to respond, Yahoo!Sports had two front page scathing editorials on what a horrible person he is... and when KG did respond, there was certainly not the same coverage given to his defense. CV's word was taken as gold because he said it first and loudest, and because it fits the "vilify KG" narrative Yahoo! and others have had going for a while anyway.

Several posters here have called CV a girl. (And all of the women of the world will soon be demanding an apology, because none of us want to be compared to CV...  ) Here's a common occurrence among young teenage girls:

Girl A (to Girl B): Don't tell Girl C, but I think she's ugly.
(5 seconds later)
Girl B (to Girl C): Girl A thinks you're ugly.
Girl C: I hate Girl A, because she hurt my feelings, but Girl B is my friend because she was honest with me. And because I'm very young, it will take me a while to realize that my feelings would never have been hurt if Girl B-- who always turns out to be the nastiest one in this scenario-- just kept her mouth shut instead of trying to make herself more powerful by saying mean things to me.

Anyone who is offended by EITHER version of what KG said should be asking CV for an apology before they ask KG. He's the one who tried to take power for himself by repeating something that hurt you.

And with that, I will do my part in letting this ridiculous fuss die down.

[Chris]

By the time KG got a chance to respond, Yahoo!Sports had two front page scathing editorials on what a horrible person he is... and when KG did respond, there was certainly not the same coverage given to his defense. CV's word was taken as gold because he said it first and loudest, and because it fits the "vilify KG" narrative Yahoo! and others have had going for a while anyway.

At this point, I don't think we can really take Wojo's articles that seriously.  I think he is one of the best in the business, but his holier-than-thou columns are getting a little old.  I don't know if he is just that cynical, but it is starting to come off a bit like he just found something that works, and is running with it.  Now, if anyone does anything remotely controversial, he is the go-to guy for a scathing article about how terrible that person is. 

The amazing thing is that he hasn't seemed to lose any sources yet.  I wonder how long it will last before he starts feeling a backlash.

[Donoghus]

By the time KG got a chance to respond, Yahoo!Sports had two front page scathing editorials on what a horrible person he is... and when KG did respond, there was certainly not the same coverage given to his defense. CV's word was taken as gold because he said it first and loudest, and because it fits the "vilify KG" narrative Yahoo! and others have had going for a while anyway.

At this point, I don't think we can really take Wojo's articles that seriously.  I think he is one of the best in the business, but his holier-than-thou columns are getting a little old.  I don't know if he is just that cynical, but it is starting to come off a bit like he just found something that works, and is running with it.  Now, if anyone does anything remotely controversial, he is the go-to guy for a scathing article about how terrible that person is. 

The amazing thing is that he hasn't seemed to lose any sources yet.  I wonder how long it will last before he starts feeling a backlash.

Deadspin pretty much ripped Wojo a new one yesterday.  Its worth a read.

[Chris]

By the time KG got a chance to respond, Yahoo!Sports had two front page scathing editorials on what a horrible person he is... and when KG did respond, there was certainly not the same coverage given to his defense. CV's word was taken as gold because he said it first and loudest, and because it fits the "vilify KG" narrative Yahoo! and others have had going for a while anyway.

At this point, I don't think we can really take Wojo's articles that seriously.  I think he is one of the best in the business, but his holier-than-thou columns are getting a little old.  I don't know if he is just that cynical, but it is starting to come off a bit like he just found something that works, and is running with it.  Now, if anyone does anything remotely controversial, he is the go-to guy for a scathing article about how terrible that person is. 

The amazing thing is that he hasn't seemed to lose any sources yet.  I wonder how long it will last before he starts feeling a backlash.

Deadspin pretty much ripped Wojo a new one yesterday.  Its worth a read.

Thanks, just checked it out.  I think they hit it right on the head. 

[barefacedmonk]

Deadspin pretty much ripped Wojo a new one yesterday.  Its worth a read.

Just read it...good article. TP

Here is the link incase anyone else wants to read it:

http://deadspin.com/5680957/the-stupid-outrage-over-kevin-garnetts-mouth

[Eric_Suede]

Goodness gracious, Can professional sports at least be the one safe haven where people don't have to be a WUS? It's basketball people!! guys talk junk, fans are amped. Whatever KG may have said ,sure it may have been insensitive but seriously #1 i'm sure Charlie has heard worse in his life #2 if he can't take trash talk he needs to just end it all right now cause life is a whole lot tougher than that.
 It's absolutely getting out of hand with the Feminizing of this country. Can't say or do crap without someone getting offended. Can't hit in freaking FOOTBALL. can't hand check maybe that'll hurt the offensive players vagina. Who knows. I agree with Doc, Sad state of affairs nowadays that this is even news.

[LooseCannon]

If any teams still have enforcers, the enforcers should band together and retaliate against Charlie Villanueva for:
a) tattling and whining to the internet;
b) being a cancer to the league; and
c) looking like a cancer patient.

[Neurotic Guy]

Goodness gracious, Can professional sports at least be the one safe haven where people don't have to be a WUS? It's basketball people!! guys talk junk, fans are amped. Whatever KG may have said ,sure it may have been insensitive but seriously #1 i'm sure Charlie has heard worse in his life #2 if he can't take trash talk he needs to just end it all right now cause life is a whole lot tougher than that.
 It's absolutely getting out of hand with the Feminizing of this country. Can't say or do crap without someone getting offended. Can't hit in freaking FOOTBALL. can't hand check maybe that'll hurt the offensive players vagina. Who knows. I agree with Doc, Sad state of affairs nowadays that this is even news.

At the peril of being considered womanly, I disagree. I actually don't have a problem with trash talk on the court or clean hard hits in football, but there are lines that can be crossed.  Perhaps Charlie should have kept it 'in-house', but that's his freedom being expressed.   I'd bet everything I own that there are things that could be said to you that would strike a nerve for you -- you might actually have a sore spot, even though you are manly.

A person can choose to care about whether to use words that might offend people;  a person can also choose not to care. In general, not necessarily on the court, I think its a good thing that more folks choose to care how their words impact others.  Decency has never been a trait exclusive to either women or feminine men. 

[FatjohnReturns]

You guys really dont get it eh?
How many times do you hear these players saying it is a buisness. If it is a buisness then act professionally. You try going into work tommorow and acting like KG does on the court and see what happens.

  That's pretty nonsensical. Do you go to work and act like an nba player (aside from a small amount of the trash talking that occurs)? Or maybe you act like a pro wrestler, because that's a business too? Please.

A small amount of trash talk. KG was voted the worst trash talker in the league. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Kevin-Garnett-voted-NBA-s-top-trash-talker?urn=nba-213362.

Every other word out of his mouth is either the F word or the N word. I love KG as much as anyone and I never said he should apologize to CV. I simply said he should apologize for profanity filled trash talk on the court. He is a role model weather he likes it or not and he represents the Celtics.

[dlpin]

A small amount of trash talk. KG was voted the worst trash talker in the league. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Kevin-Garnett-voted-NBA-s-top-trash-talker?urn=nba-213362.

Every other word out of his mouth is either the F word or the N word. I love KG as much as anyone and I never said he should apologize to CV. I simply said he should apologize for profanity filled trash talk on the court. He is a role model weather he likes it or not and he represents the Celtics.

What the hell does being a role model has to do with what he says on the court to another player which is not aimed at the public?


I am sorry, but this crap is getting ridiculous. There are a number of people with actual criminal records playing in the nba, and here we are talking about this crap to death because KG, the guy who donated the most money to Katrina victims, is impolite on the court.

[mmbaby]

Goodness gracious, Can professional sports at least be the one safe haven where people don't have to be a WUS? It's basketball people!! guys talk junk, fans are amped. Whatever KG may have said ,sure it may have been insensitive but seriously #1 i'm sure Charlie has heard worse in his life #2 if he can't take trash talk he needs to just end it all right now cause life is a whole lot tougher than that.
 It's absolutely getting out of hand with the Feminizing of this country. Can't say or do crap without someone getting offended. Can't hit in freaking FOOTBALL. can't hand check maybe that'll hurt the offensive players vagina. Who knows. I agree with Doc, Sad state of affairs nowadays that this is even news.

At the peril of being considered womanly, I disagree. I actually don't have a problem with trash talk on the court or clean hard hits in football, but there are lines that can be crossed.  Perhaps Charlie should have kept it 'in-house', but that's his freedom being expressed.   I'd bet everything I own that there are things that could be said to you that would strike a nerve for you -- you might actually have a sore spot, even though you are manly.

A person can choose to care about whether to use words that might offend people;  a person can also choose not to care. In general, not necessarily on the court, I think its a good thing that more folks choose to care how their words impact others.  Decency has never been a trait exclusive to either women or feminine men. 

I agree with your point totally. It's nothing about being manly or womanly. It's decency, plain and simple. Yes, there are lines you don't cross and it's very easy to figure out what those lines are, even in the heat of the moment.
I still like KG as a player, but as a person? not so sure anymore.
Call me womanly, call me feminine, use the name calling tactic, give it your best shot. CV has a disease that has caused him a lot of bullying in the past, I'm just sure of it. And he is, thus, extra sensitive to this. He spends alot of his time working with kids with the disease because he knows how hard it is in their social lives.
I would never call a man a wuss just because he tweeted it. That is absolutely no big deal in these days and times. Everyone tweets everything...it's progress and it's the present and future.

Yes a big deal has been made of this and I think it's because society is tired of bullying and it being considered acceptable. Society is not becoming soft, but rather more civilized and less brutish and violent. All of history is filled with people burtalizing each other. Thankfully that is changing and the internet and information age have made it possible for people to let their voices and opinions be heard adn for bad behavior to be publicized and that includes crooked politicians, dishonest business people and child abusers and anyone who publicly bullies someone (or privately).

It's all good. Maybe KG will feel bad and become a better person for this.

[celtics2]

Apologize my arse. Bunch of wimps.

[barefacedmonk]

I wish the mods would lock any thread pertaining to this ridiculous and now very old news. We are judging KG as a person now? Just based on his on court actions? What about all the stuff he does off court? When he is not in a Celtics jersey...Fake outrage and moral policing is a favourite pastime of some CB members.

[dlpin]

I agree with your point totally. It's nothing about being manly or womanly. It's decency, plain and simple. Yes, there are lines you don't cross and it's very easy to figure out what those lines are, even in the heat of the moment.
I still like KG as a player, but as a person? not so sure anymore.
Call me womanly, call me feminine, use the name calling tactic, give it your best shot. CV has a disease that has caused him a lot of bullying in the past, I'm just sure of it. And he is, thus, extra sensitive to this. He spends alot of his time working with kids with the disease because he knows how hard it is in their social lives.
I would never call a man a wuss just because he tweeted it. That is absolutely no big deal in these days and times. Everyone tweets everything...it's progress and it's the present and future.

Yes a big deal has been made of this and I think it's because society is tired of bullying and it being considered acceptable. Society is not becoming soft, but rather more civilized and less brutish and violent. All of history is filled with people burtalizing each other. Thankfully that is changing and the internet and information age have made it possible for people to let their voices and opinions be heard adn for bad behavior to be publicized and that includes crooked politicians, dishonest business people and child abusers and anyone who publicly bullies someone (or privately).

It's all good. Maybe KG will feel bad and become a better person for this.

I am sorry, but if there is a reason bullies get away with crap nowadays it is because the concept of bully has been emptied by crap like this. The reason so many authorities don't pay attention to actual bullying is because people now try to transform any confrontation, any minor verbal spat into "bullying."

So now KG insulting a man his own size during a game of basketball is "bullying?"

Actual bullying involves an imbalance of power used over time to coerce someone.  A player that sees you maybe 4 times a year insulting you isn't bullying.

This is like the boy who cried wolf, with all this fake outrage getting in the way of dealing with things that deserve actual outrage.

[FallGuy]

I agree with your point totally. It's nothing about being manly or womanly. It's decency, plain and simple. Yes, there are lines you don't cross and it's very easy to figure out what those lines are, even in the heat of the moment.
I still like KG as a player, but as a person? not so sure anymore.
Call me womanly, call me feminine, use the name calling tactic, give it your best shot. CV has a disease that has caused him a lot of bullying in the past, I'm just sure of it. And he is, thus, extra sensitive to this. He spends alot of his time working with kids with the disease because he knows how hard it is in their social lives.
I would never call a man a wuss just because he tweeted it. That is absolutely no big deal in these days and times. Everyone tweets everything...it's progress and it's the present and future.

Yes a big deal has been made of this and I think it's because society is tired of bullying and it being considered acceptable. Society is not becoming soft, but rather more civilized and less brutish and violent. All of history is filled with people burtalizing each other. Thankfully that is changing and the internet and information age have made it possible for people to let their voices and opinions be heard adn for bad behavior to be publicized and that includes crooked politicians, dishonest business people and child abusers and anyone who publicly bullies someone (or privately).

It's all good. Maybe KG will feel bad and become a better person for this.

I am sorry, but if there is a reason bullies get away with crap nowadays it is because the concept of bully has been emptied by crap like this. The reason so many authorities don't pay attention to actual bullying is because people now try to transform any confrontation, any minor verbal spat into "bullying."

So now KG insulting a man his own size during a game of basketball is "bullying?"

Actual bullying involves an imbalance of power used over time to coerce someone.  A player that sees you maybe 4 times a year insulting you isn't bullying.

This is like the boy who cried wolf, with all this fake outrage getting in the way of dealing with things that deserve actual outrage.

Correct-a-mundo.

This has nothing to do with bullying at all. Blows my mind that suddenly this societal issue is being tagged onto a little bit of trash talk in a basketball game.

Also, I find it interesting how many non-NBA players (particularly those in the media and on message boards) are making calls about what lines KG crossed when the content of the actual statement is in dispute.