You won't like him when he's angry...(KG defense)

[drza44]

This was a blurb about KG from an article I wrote today.  Bottom line: KG has been wreaking havoc on opposing PFs that got the better of him either last year or earlier this year when he wasn't focused on them.

In the first Toronto/Boston game of the year, Andrea Bargnani had a great game with 29 points in a Raptors win.  This apparently didn’t sit well with Kevin Garnett: “I take defense very seriously,” Garnett said. “And this wasn’t a one-on-one situation and I don’t want Bargnani to take this the wrong way, but if he does, [expletive] it. You know, being honest. I get up for that. Every night I have a match up, I take that very seriously.” http://www.csnne.com/11/27/10/Garnett-takes-lack-of-respect-personally/landing_celtics.html?blockID=361357&feedID=3945

In the re-match, Bargnani managed only 11 points on 4-for-13 shooting.  This isn’t an isolated event.  These are the power forward scoring stats for the last several opponents who had played well recently against Garnett or had a lot of hype coming in:

Chris Bosh (Heat Hype): 10.5 pts on 43% FG over two games

Andray Blatche (huge games against Garnett last season): 10 points on 44% FG

Josh Smith (Hawks swept Celtics in 2010): 2 points on 0% FG

Bargnani (big game last week) : 11 points on 31% FG

J.J. Hickson (21 points in early upset of Celtics): 0 points on 0% FG

Moral to the story: Last year KG couldn't do what he wanted to do for health reasons, and even this year his man can score if he's trying to do other things.  But if you're a power forward and have had a good game against Garnett in recent memory, you're in for a bad night in the rematch.

[housecall]

TP for the great thread as i have felt this way for awhile also.I can't wait till he has a couple rematches with the Llama.

[GreenFaith1819]

Nice Post, drza44(TP!)

I'm loving the KG of this year. He has a lot of payback to spread around. Him being at maybe 80% even during our series with LA last year made Gasol look better than he is.

Don't get me wrong - Pau Gasol is maybe the best PF in the game - but no way in the world is he as good as KG's health made him look last year.

I am waiting with baited breath for Jan 30, 2011, Feb. 10 2011, and finally - June 2011.

Is there anyway we can petition the networks and get us switched with MIA on Christmas Day? I can't wait until Jan 30.

I want LA - with a healthy Bynum. No more excuses.

[Celtics4ever]

Its good to see, KG is a really the QB of our defense.  Now imagine what LeBron would do to people if he cared....

[KGs Knee]

I don't even think it's just KG, although he's in his own world when it comes to playing mad.  This whole team seems to play at an unreal level when it gets mad.

Something tells me the Lakers are going to get beat down when we see them.  This team seems to be utterly disgusted from the loss to LA in June.