<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LOS ANGELES ? Perhaps it will be here that the Timberwolves make one last stand, or fall apart completely. The four days in this city that began Sunday could provide one last opportunity to come together, even as Kevin Garnett's tongue lashing still rings in their ears. Garnett erupted in a profanity-laced scolding Saturday night in Phoenix when some of his teammates joked around in the locker room after a 110-102 loss to the Suns. Garnett said after the game that he felt some of his teammates took the loss lightly, something he found infuriating. Now Garnett and the struggling Wolves, who were not available Sunday to reporters, will try to move forward, end their losing streak at four and climb back toward .500. Their next chance comes tonight against a familiar face, former Wolves guard Sam Cassell and the Los Angeles Clippers, who appear bound for the playoffs. Garnett's outburst no doubt will spark a new wave of speculation that he will want out of Minnesota after this season. He has been at the center of trade rumors all season. Garnett has maintained that he's a Timberwolf and doesn't see himself giving up on the team just because times are tough. But Garnett hasn't experienced anything quite like this. The Wolves haven't been 10 games under .500 since his rookie season. Back then, Garnett was fresh out of high school; 11 seasons later, he's still searching for his first NBA finals with a team that is younger than any he has played with in some time. With that youth comes the so-called growing pains, including players who might not be on the same page with Garnett in terms of his hunger to win. Garnett said Saturday night that his goal remains to make the playoffs, though the likelihood of that happening began fading weeks ago. If the Wolves finish this road trip 0-6, a possibility with upcoming games against the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors, the focus will fall on the team's rebuilding and how Garnett fits into that long-term plan. Tonight's game against the Clippers could be particularly emotional for Garnett. Cassell, traded away in August by the Wolves, remains one of Garnett's best friends and a link to Garnett's most successful season in the NBA. "We miss Sam a lot, not just Sam, but his leadership, the fact that he is a competitor," Garnett said last month during all-star weekend. "The fact that he's a joy in the locker room. He's a voice. We miss him a lot." What will Garnett say in private to Cassell? How long can the nine-time all-star stay loyal to the Wolves, who've regressed in their efforts to help him win a championship since reaching the Western Conference finals two seasons ago?</div> Source
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">*Waits for Laker fans to make up ridiculous trade proposals*</div> Haha I know. But yea thats got to be really frustrating when your doing all you can to help your team win, and then you lose only to hear your fellow teamate joking around not even caring about wins or losses. I wonder who they were?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">*Waits for Laker fans to make up ridiculous trade proposals*</div> yep, who knows what's going to happen in the offseason with Garnett.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">*Waits for Laker fans to make up ridiculous trade proposals*</div> Devean George for KG ... DO IT MITCH!
^^LOL I remember a few years back JR Rider did the same thing when he was on the Blazers, went nuts in the locker room when his teammates were giggling after a loss. The only difference is that Garnett is respected and a top player in the game, so I feel that his reaction is justified.
As a leader, its got to be his responsibility to keep his team's intensity high and make them focus on winning. I'd bet it was one of the younger players.
Can you blame him? Alot of talented players have passed through Minneapolis since KG was drafted. Most are gone. Why? And the answer is to send him to another team? Perhaps his style of intensity and leadership has not worked well with the supporting players. I never liked playing with someone who thought he was carrying the team. I think Philly is starting to take root with Iverson, Webber and Igoudola and needs a few more upgrades. I always wondered why KG couldn't make it work with Marbury or Cassell and Terrell Brandon and then build around them.
