<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Kevin Garnett has been through a lot in Minnesota, and he's not about to let the media tell him what he should be doing with his career. On Sunday, the former MVP squashed rumors of his discontent in Minnesota and suggestions that he'd be better off searching for a championship elsewhere. "I've never said I [was] unhappy," Garnett said after the Timberwolves beat the Philadelphia 76ers 95-84. "I don't know where y'all get that [expletive] from. None of y'all have asked me that." The team's lack of success in Garnett's 11 seasons in Minnesota -- they've won just two playoff series -- has led many to propose that it's time for a change of scenery for the beleaguered perennial All-Star. Though Garnett won't use the word "unhappy," he made no secret about where the criticism for the Timberwolves' struggles should be directed. "People feel sorry for me?" Garnett said. "I don't go out and scout players. I don't do any of the front office stuff. This thing's bigger than Kevin Garnett. I'm a piece, but ... I don't want nobody to feel sorry for me. I bust my [butt] to come in and be consistent every year. If you want to feel sorry for somebody, feel sorry for the people who put the team together and haven't put me in a position to be in those situations. Don't feel sorry for me."</div> Source
KG's trying to work with this team. It's probably hurting him that people keep talking about him wanting to leave or these trade rumors with LA, Orlando, and other teams. Garnett is a loyal guy it's just that he wants help. He doesn't want to go to a team and win a championship, he wants to stay in Minnesota and win one.
it's pretty annoying that nobody believes Kevin when he talks about loyalty to a franchise. is everyone that cynical? The guy's been saying for years how much he values committing to a goal through thick and thin, yet people are always guessing he's just saying that and if someone shows him some money, he will just bail and cash in. For him to win a championship somewhere else just wouldn't be the same - if he could EVER win one in Minnesota, that would top any achievement. He knows this.
<div class="quote_poster">CLos Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">KG's trying to work with this team. It's probably hurting him that people keep talking about him wanting to leave or these trade rumors with LA, Orlando, and other teams. Garnett is a loyal guy it's just that he wants help. He doesn't want to go to a team and win a championship, he wants to stay in Minnesota and win one.</div> To qoute a former NBA Scoring Champion..."I want to win a championship. Not chase one". That's where it seems KG's mind is.
I think KG wants to win a championship in Minnesota. I mean that probably never happen unless they get some key role players to actually help Garnett but KG isn't going to go to the Lakers or something and be the 2nd best player on any team.
<div class="quote_poster">phunDamentalz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">it's pretty annoying that nobody believes Kevin when he talks about loyalty to a franchise. is everyone that cynical? The guy's been saying for years how much he values committing to a goal through thick and thin, yet people are always guessing he's just saying that and if someone shows him some money, he will just bail and cash in. For him to win a championship somewhere else just wouldn't be the same - if he could EVER win one in Minnesota, that would top any achievement. He knows this.</div> These rumors help sell papers, and it feels like the NBA media genuinely wants KG to be traded to a contender. He's viewed as one of the good guys of the league, and the overall popularity of the NBA would increase if KG teamed up with a Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Paul Pierce, Ben Wallace etc. The comment I found interesting was the shot KG took at the organization. If you want to feel sorry for somebody, feel sorry for the people who put the team together and haven't put me in a position to be in those situations.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">These rumors help sell papers, and it feels like the NBA media genuinely wants KG to be traded to a contender. He's viewed as one of the good guys of the league, and the overall popularity of the NBA would increase if KG teamed up with a Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Paul Pierce, Ben Wallace etc. </div>You think? I don't know about that. How many people who don't follow the NBA would suddenly start following it if KG was teamed up with another superstar? Sure, bandwagoners in the town that acquired him might crop up, but that's about it. If the Lakers got KG, the Lakers would probably add some fair-weather fans that only pay attention when it looks like they could win the whole thing, but anywhere else nobody would care I reckon.
<div class="quote_poster">phunDamentalz Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">You think? I don't know about that. How many people who don't follow the NBA would suddenly start following it if KG was teamed up with another superstar? Sure, bandwagoners in the town that acquired him might crop up, but that's about it. If the Lakers got KG, the Lakers would probably add some fair-weather fans that only pay attention when it looks like they could win the whole thing, but anywhere else nobody would care I reckon.</div> It would attract the people who are against big-market teams "buying" their way to a title. For example, let's say KG goes to the Lakers. It's going to increase the number of bandwagon fans watching the Lakers, but it's also going to increase the number of fans rooting against the Lakers to tune in. If KG goes to a city like Boston, Celtic Pride will have something to cheer about again. In general, sports are better when the big-market teams and traditional dynasties are successful. It has the watercooler effect and you have people "for" and "against" the move. Let at Miami for example. Before Shaq came to Miami they didn't have much media attention and the fan base was average at best. They had a young upcoming team with a nice trio of Odom-Butler-Wade, but the instance Shaq came to Miami, they entered the mainstream spotlight. It also brought out the anti-Shaq fans to pay attention to Miami, and most of them came from LA. LOL. People pay attention to the headlines, and KG joining a big market team will make the headlines leading to more people watching him and his new team.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> Let at Miami for example. Before Shaq came to Miami they didn't have much media attention and the fan base was average at best. They had a young upcoming team with a nice trio of Odom-Butler-Wade, but the instance Shaq came to Miami, they entered the mainstream spotlight. </div> They will also be crippled for the next 3 years. Not sayin that KG is diminishing as quickly as shaq, but he has been better. I would be a huge gamble cause you know you are gonna have to mortgage the future to get KG. Guys drafted in the 90's haven't been aging very well.
<div class="quote_poster">norespect Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">They will also be crippled for the next 3 years. Not sayin that KG is diminishing as quickly as shaq, but he has been better. I would be a huge gamble cause you know you are gonna have to mortgage the future to get KG. Guys drafted in the 90's haven't been aging very well.</div> They are thinking of the present, not future. They want to win now, not later. By getting Shaq, they won now. They will be screwed in 3-4yrs though. If the Lakers get KG, they will do great these next 2 seasons. The next 2, they will have to rebuild again.
<div class="quote_poster">norespect Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">They will also be crippled for the next 3 years. Not sayin that KG is diminishing as quickly as shaq, but he has been better. I would be a huge gamble cause you know you are gonna have to mortgage the future to get KG. Guys drafted in the 90's haven't been aging very well.</div> I don't know if crippled is the right word. If Shaq is healthy come playoffs, there aren't that many teams in this Eastern Conference that can beat a healthy Wade and Shaq in a 7 games series imo. We'll have to see how it plays out, but I don't think the Heat are crippled, except maybe Salary cap wise with Shaq, Wade, and Walker's contracts.
<div class="quote_poster">SkiptoMyLue11 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I don't know if crippled is the right word. If Shaq is healthy come playoffs, there aren't that many teams in this Eastern Conference that can beat a healthy Wade and Shaq in a 7 games series imo. </div> lmao at Shaq being healthy come playoff time. He was relatively healthy last year, and he averaged 13 and 7 and was considering a liability in the 4th quarter in some games. D-Wade single-handedly won that 'ship for the Heat with the way he played; there's a reason Shaq didn't win the Finals MVP. Seeing how Miami is playing this year, I think it has much more to do with D-Wade's overall fatigue (remember, he played till June, then played in the World Championships in the summer) and the team's old-age than anything else. Shaq may help in creating more open oppurtunities for Miami, but they were losing with him in the lineup and they are pretty much losing without him. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> We'll have to see how it plays out, but I don't think the Heat are crippled, except maybe Salary cap wise with Shaq, Wade, and Walker's contracts.</div> Well, Walker's not going to get any better, Shaq is posting average and below average numbers, 'Zo will retire probably after this year, Gary Payton can't guard a pole anymore and Riley is set to retire as well. That leaves Wade, Haslem, White Choclate and James Posey as the players intact. The Heat have to make some smart choices in the draft and perhaps try to make thier team stronger through trades. They knew this was going to happen though (Shaq getting injured and the team's players getting old) but they won thier 'ship, and that's all that matters. Back to rebuilding mode after Shaq's gone
<div class="quote_poster">Karma Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">lmao at Shaq being healthy come playoff time. He was relatively healthy last year, and he averaged 13 and 7 and was considering a liability in the 4th quarter in some games. D-Wade single-handedly won that 'ship for the Heat with the way he played; there's a reason Shaq didn't win the Finals MVP. Seeing how Miami is playing this year, I think it has much more to do with D-Wade's overall fatigue (remember, he played till June, then played in the World Championships in the summer) and the team's old-age than anything else. Shaq may help in creating more open oppurtunities for Miami, but they were losing with him in the lineup and they are pretty much losing without him. Well, Walker's not going to get any better, Shaq is posting average and below average numbers, 'Zo will retire probably after this year, Gary Payton can't guard a pole anymore and Riley is set to retire as well. That leaves Wade, Haslem, White Choclate and James Posey as the players intact. The Heat have to make some smart choices in the draft and perhaps try to make thier team stronger through trades. They knew this was going to happen though (Shaq getting injured and the team's players getting old) but they won thier 'ship, and that's all that matters. Back to rebuilding mode after Shaq's gone </div> Amen. People keep sayin that Shaq is soo valuable "when healthy." That guy makes soooo much money for being craptastic. DWade won the championship last year and Shaq is done. Can't everyone see he is beyond washed up. How can you pay 20 mill for the next 3 seasons for someone who only plays 40 games a year, and is a 18 and 8 guy in the playoffs who can't hit free throws. Shaq is just a name, no longer a presense.
I guess we'll have to see how the season and playoffs play out. I think the Heat are easily a top 4 team in the East with Shaq healthy.
Shaq can be dominant but isn't clutch for the Heat. They rather have Michael Doleac in the 4th quarter in than Shaq. He can still dominate most Centers in the league but he isn't anymore one of the best.
<div class="quote_poster">CLos Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Shaq can be dominant but isn't clutch for the Heat. They rather have Michael Doleac in the 4th quarter in than Shaq. He can still dominate most Centers in the league but he isn't anymore one of the best.</div> Your whole post is a contradiction. First of all, Shaq hasn't been dominant for the past 2 seasons. His first season in Miami, he was capable of putting good numbers and wasn't really considered "fallen off". But, after seeing him play last year, and watching him in the playoffs, a 34 year old Shaq was not really considered a "dominant" force. At this point and time, I'd consider Yao and even Dwight as much more dominant than Shaq is. As for the contradiction part I was specifically referencing to, it's this part of your post: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> He can still dominate most Centers in the league but he isn't anymore one of the best. </div> If he could dominate "most centers" in the league, he would still be considered one of the most dominant centers i nthe league. Shaq posts up numbers that average centers do. 13 and 7? I remember one game he had like 6 points and 4 rebounds or some crappy stats like that while playing an ample (but obviously not too much) amount of minutes. Shaq doesn't have as much of an effect on the court as he once did, and if people can't see that then they are either in denial of the man's (natural) decline or have not watched Miami play, specifically, Shaq. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> I think the Heat are easily a top 4 team in the East with Shaq healthy. </div> I'll respond to that with the same thing I said before: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> lmao at Shaq being healthy come playoff time. He was relatively healthy last year, and he averaged 13 and 7 and was considering a liability in the 4th quarter in some games. D-Wade single-handedly won that 'ship for the Heat with the way he played; there's a reason Shaq didn't win the Finals MVP. Seeing how Miami is playing this year, I think it has much more to do with D-Wade's overall fatigue (remember, he played till June, then played in the World Championships in the summer) and the team's old-age than anything else. Shaq may help in creating more open oppurtunities for Miami, but they were losing with him in the lineup and they are pretty much losing without him. </div> Shaq's not 26 anymore.
<div class="quote_poster">Karma Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> Shaq posts up numbers that average centers do. 13 and 7? </div> If you are talking about the nba finals, the 13.7 ppg, 10.1 rpg, he was the focus of the Dallas defense was Shaq and double teamed a lot. Having Damp and Diop capable of guarding him and fouling him as well as Dirk another 7 footer able to swing over to double team him caused him problems. In the playoffs last year (including his Finals numbers) he averaged 18.4 ppg and 9.8 rpg in 33 mpg shooting 61 FG%. In the playoffs last year, only 4 "centers" (they are all PF/Cs) had higher ppg than him, Pau (20.2 ppg on 43%), Jermaine O'Neal (21 ppg on 52.4%), Tim Duncan (25.8 ppg on 57.3%), and Dirk (27 ppg on 46.8%) Shaq had the best FG% of those, 4% higher than Tim Duncan, 8.5% above Jermaine, 14% over Dirk, and 18% over Pau. Of those 4 players, Duncan: 10.5 rpg in 37.9 mpg Dirk: 11.7 rpg in 42.7 mpg Pau: 6.8 rpg in 39.4 mpg Jermaine: rpg 7.5 in 36 mpg If per 40 minutes are used Shaq: 11.9 rp40m, Duncan 11.1 rp40m, Dirk 11.0 rp40m, Jermaine 8.3 rp40m, Pau 6.9 rp40m. In blocks per 40 minutes: Jermaine: 2.56 bp40m, Duncan 2.0 bp40m, Shaq 1.8 bp40m, Pau 1.2 bp40m, Dirk .56 bp40m. I'd say Duncan was clearly better statistically, Jermaine slightly, and Dirk (in ppg, but not in FG%, rpg, or bpg) if Dirk is even counted as a center considering he usually played PF. <div class="quote_poster">Karma Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I remember one game he had like 6 points and 4 rebounds or some crappy stats like that while playing an ample (but obviously not too much) amount of minutes. </div> I'm sure Shaq has had some bad games before, especially now that he is older and doesn't have as much stamina, but bring up a game where he struggled doesn't mean he can't play. Looking at a players averages are better representative. Yao just had a game where he had 14 pts (5-19 shooting - 26 FG%) 8 rebounds, 2 blocks, 7 turnovers in "ample time" (41 minutes). But I think most people agree that Yao is the best center in the league or at least top 3. <div class="quote_poster">Karma Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Shaq doesn't have as much of an effect on the court as he once did, and if people can't see that then they are either in denial of the man's (natural) decline or have not watched Miami play, specifically, Shaq.</div> I totally agree, Shaq isn't going to produce 29.7 ppg on 57%, 13.6 rpg, 3.8 apg, 3.0 bpg. He isn't what he used to be and has been declining. I think he will continue to be a second option for the Heat, and have a strong impact in 28-30 mpg. I don't think he will be able to play long minutes effectively (35-40). I don't know if he can replicate his last year's playoffs numbers during this year's playoffs, but of the 16 teams that made playoffs last year, the only centers that were statistically better were Tim Duncan , and Jermaine O'Neil slightly.
Do you think that KG and Ivo have talked about this personally? KG seemed so stuck on staying in minny then ivo demands a trade to philly. kind of suspicious.
