Garnett wants to move back to PF

[Fafnir]

So in the Omar Asik post on the main page it mentions that Kevin Garnett does not want to continue to play the Center position if he returns next year.  He wants to move back to PF.

Does this change your feelings towards bringing KG back? 

As has been mentioned in other threads, the title of "Center" and "Power Forward" are irrelevant.  If we have another tall dude with game who can play next to KG, we will be fine.

It seems to be relevant to KG.

  I'd be fairly curious about what he did that he was objecting to. Playing on the low post on offense? Defending close to the basket? Having to do a lot of defensive rebounding?

Probably having to guard C's and also post them up as well.

As a rule opponents tried very hard to pound on KG in an attempt to tire him out or prevent him from catching it down deep.

[KGs Knee]

This reeks of "Tim Duncan syndrome".

One of the main reasons I've looked down on Duncan has been his refusal to acknowledge he is, n fact, a C not a PF.  KG seems to have the same disdain for being considered or labeled as a C.  Now, KG has only recently become a C, whereas Duncan has. Pretty much been one his whole career.

Either way, I don't get why the C position s looked at as demeaning.

[SHAQATTACK]

This reeks of "Tim Duncan syndrome".

One of the main reasons I've looked down on Duncan has been his refusal to acknowledge he is, n fact, a C not a PF.  KG seems to have the same disdain for being considered or labeled as a C.  Now, KG has only recently become a C, whereas Duncan has. Pretty much been one his whole career.

Either way, I don't get why the C position s looked at as demeaning.

Me either,  the center was always the glory spot , the biggest baddest dude,  the guy most often the leader or looked up to .  

When I was a kid , the beatin and banging , loosened teeth and bloody nose and all was half the fun...a little body damage was a sign of man hood...these tall guys really seem to be soft. I would have been a wild man , if somebody paid me to play in the paint...

Ok...I just don't get it... I don't know basketball any other way.

 

[snively]

Another guy I'd consider at the C: Sam Dalembert.

He has one more year on his contract, but it is only partially guaranteed for $1.5 million if he is released on or before July 8th.

While it's unlikely the Celtics could acquire him on draft night, it is possible he could be traded to a team looking to create cap space who would then release him, thereby making him a free agent this summer.

I bet Sam would get a lot of interest on the open market, though.

A big AMEN. 

I'd like to trade for him to keep from having to hand out a multi-year deal to another big.  Offer something like what Indiana gave for Barbosa: a TE and a 2nd rounder.

It would save Houston the $1.5 mil buyout/cap figure and give them a flexible minor asset with a 2nd round pick. 

Boston would get a starting caliber 5 on a 1-year $6.7 mil deal. 

[Reggie's Ghost]

This reeks of "Tim Duncan syndrome".

One of the main reasons I've looked down on Duncan has been his refusal to acknowledge he is, n fact, a C not a PF.  KG seems to have the same disdain for being considered or labeled as a C.  Now, KG has only recently become a C, whereas Duncan has. Pretty much been one his whole career.

Either way, I don't get why the C position s looked at as demeaning.

Me either,  the center was always the glory spot , the biggest baddest dude,  the guy most often the leader or looked up to .  

When I was a kid , the beatin and banging , loosened teeth and bloody nose and all was half the fun...a little body damage was a sign of man hood...these tall guys really seem to be soft. I would have been a wild man , if somebody paid me to play in the paint...

Ok...I just don't get it... I don't know basketball any other way.

 

I think there is a false perception out there that Centers are lumbering beasts, who rely on bulk and grit to compensate for a lack of finesse. By contrast, the same logic states that PFs are faster, more athletic, and can play inside or out.  In other words, I think the PF position is considered more versatile, and allows players like KG to do what he really wants: run around the perimeter setting picks and shooting jump shots.

[drax]

If KG indeed wants to return as a power forward and we bring in an other big body.

What money do you think would be fair for a Camby or Asik?

[BleedGreen1989]

So in the Omar Asik post on the main page it mentions that Kevin Garnett does not want to continue to play the Center position if he returns next year.  He wants to move back to PF.

Does this change your feelings towards bringing KG back?  Part of the reason the team had this huge turnaround midseason was Garnetts move to the center position.  A lot of people marked him done and too old and slow to keep up with the other younger PFs around the league.

KG has done many great things for us, but I dunno about this.  We've yet to see a direct quote from Garnett himself about this, but if true, how could he not see the huge difference in his play at the Center position??

I'd want Garnett back just solely for the reason of him setting the tone and attitude for the youth that we start to bring in.  However, if he demands to move back to PF that might change how much money I'm willing to spend on him.

I posted an interview in an Austin rivers thread of KG from early April..he openly says he does not like playing center and that it is much harder on his body than playing 4...that being said, KG states several times that he would "run through a wall for doc"

Take that how you willl but I don't think we can fully expect KG to stay healthy while starting 82 games at the center position.

[Zachary5]

bumb ubm!

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

This reeks of "Tim Duncan syndrome".

One of the main reasons I've looked down on Duncan has been his refusal to acknowledge he is, n fact, a C not a PF.  KG seems to have the same disdain for being considered or labeled as a C.  Now, KG has only recently become a C, whereas Duncan has. Pretty much been one his whole career.

Either way, I don't get why the C position s looked at as demeaning.

Me either,  the center was always the glory spot , the biggest baddest dude,  the guy most often the leader or looked up to .  

When I was a kid , the beatin and banging , loosened teeth and bloody nose and all was half the fun...a little body damage was a sign of man hood...these tall guys really seem to be soft. I would have been a wild man , if somebody paid me to play in the paint...

Ok...I just don't get it... I don't know basketball any other way.

 

I think there is a false perception out there that Centers are lumbering beasts, who rely on bulk and grit to compensate for a lack of finesse. By contrast, the same logic states that PFs are faster, more athletic, and can play inside or out.  In other words, I think the PF position is considered more versatile, and allows players like KG to do what he really wants: run around the perimeter setting picks and shooting jump shots.

ummm, we need KG to play in the paint as well as score points from the paint. we have enough jump shooters. now, i am ok with him shooting some jumpers but we need his size down low for easy baskets. This needs to be told to him. look how good he did playing in the paint these playoffs.

[pearljammer10]

Ive wanted Camby in green for years now. Even though he is 38 I still would welcome the move with open arms. Especially on a one year alongside KG.

[bfrombleacher]

I'm cool with KG at the 4, especially if he plays like he did in the second half of last year and the playoffs.

The trick is to not play a glacial dinosaur alongside him regardless of whether it is a 4 or a 5.

I've been digging the Camby idea. He's still mobile enough, very efficient, and can hold down the fort in the paint when KG sits.

Man, never again. Please no more JO Danny. Nothing like JO. God. AGHH!

Wilcox maining at center does not seem to bad, if we can't get anything else. KG at C for 10, 15 minutes a game.

[chambers]

This is tough.
I think it's important to remember that come playoff time we are going to need a starting unit that is strong enough on the boards to negate second shop opportunities but quick and agile enough to defend the likes of Miami and Philly come playoff time.

When Danny formulates a squad for the next five years he's going to be looking for key attributes defensively
1)Interior toughness+rebounding
2)Length and help defense ability/potential
3)Speed getting out to the perimeter and lock down defense.

Brute size and strength are one thing and will be important against tall teams like Chicago in certain situations but our ability to rebound and get out to the 3 point line against shooters like Battier and Chalmers will be a huge factor in who we choose.
Is KG quick enough to get out to Bosh whilst defending the paint? I'm not sure- he didn't look it in game 7, but that was one game.

This is why I don't like the Marcus Camby cat calls- he's great and reliable but he's a bit too slow and limber at this point in his career. Even Pierce is having major trouble getting out and defending the drive and dish.
We'll have Rondo and Avery at the top of the key, but with Pierce and KG out there the Heat are always going to have a big advantage stretching us due to the age/speed factor. (which is why I think we'll see a Rondo/Bradley/KG/Green/new quick big line up ALOT vs the Heat and Philly and NYK, whilst Pierce will be hitting the pine.

A center/PF (complementary big) to KG that can close out quickly while rebounding will be vital to any small chance we have of taking Miami all the way again.

Just look at what Miami is doing to poor Perkins- he's been made redundant for this series. He was great going up against a Lakers squad but against this stretch small ball Heat line up he just can't get out to Bosh/Battier in time and it could cost them the series.

[jgod213]

Ive wanted Camby in green for years now. Even though he is 38 I still would welcome the move with open arms. Especially on a one year alongside KG.

Yeah i posted on Camby in the Free Agents thread yesterday.

Asik is going to get a nice, fat, multi-year deal from someone, it's not worth bidding on him.  If you can get Camby on at 1 or 2 yrs for around $6 million per i don't see how you can pass that up.  ELITE level rebounding and above-average defense for that price is a steal for this team.

[bucknersrevenge]

This is tough.
I think it's important to remember that come playoff time we are going to need a starting unit that is strong enough on the boards to negate second shop opportunities but quick and agile enough to defend the likes of Miami and Philly come playoff time.

When Danny formulates a squad for the next five years he's going to be looking for key attributes defensively
1)Interior toughness+rebounding
2)Length and help defense ability/potential
3)Speed getting out to the perimeter and lock down defense.

Brute size and strength are one thing and will be important against tall teams like Chicago in certain situations but our ability to rebound and get out to the 3 point line against shooters like Battier and Chalmers will be a huge factor in who we choose.
Is KG quick enough to get out to Bosh whilst defending the paint? I'm not sure- he didn't look it in game 7, but that was one game.

This is why I don't like the Marcus Camby cat calls- he's great and reliable but he's a bit too slow and limber at this point in his career. Even Pierce is having major trouble getting out and defending the drive and dish.
We'll have Rondo and Avery at the top of the key, but with Pierce and KG out there the Heat are always going to have a big advantage stretching us due to the age/speed factor. (which is why I think we'll see a Rondo/Bradley/KG/Green/new quick big line up ALOT vs the Heat and Philly and NYK, whilst Pierce will be hitting the pine.

A center/PF (complementary big) to KG that can close out quickly while rebounding will be vital to any small chance we have of taking Miami all the way again.

Just look at what Miami is doing to poor Perkins- he's been made redundant for this series. He was great going up against a Lakers squad but against this stretch small ball Heat line up he just can't get out to Bosh/Battier in time and it could cost them the series.

I think the word you're looking for is "irrelevant" but in any case...exactly what you said here. This is my major concern with bringing KG back. On offense the 4 and 5 may be interchangeable but on defense KG is just no longer mobile enough to get out on 4 and guard them in space. He is best served at the 5 where he can stay close to the rim and rotate on penetration and give help. That's what he does. If KG doesn't want to play center anymore, I don't think I want him back.

[Brendan]

I think part of why KG and Duncan want to be known as PFs instead of Cs, is because of the comparisons.

If you are a Center, then where are you on this list: Russel, Wilt, Kareem, Moses, Hakeem, Shaq, Walton, Parish, Cowens, etc? The first three guys are basically never going to be passed, and probably never matched.

As for PF - Kevin McHale is considered one of the greats, and he came off the bench for the first half of his career.

Duncan has been playing Center for most of his career at this point, so its kind of silly. For KG he's played PF his whole career, with only tactical exceptions, so I can see why he'd rather be PF if he's going to grind out one more season.

I think in the end he'll do what's best for the team if he comes back.