10. Kevin Garnett
Over the past few months, we’ve been running down the 50 guys that we think are the 50 best players, right here, right now. With the season starting, the list is almost complete. Today, Marcel Mutoni takes a look at Kevin Garnett…
With summer dragging on and on and on before the NBA tips off, we’ve decided to initiate a multipart series that will be the definitive look at the best players in the NBA today.
Over lunch at the Outback Steakhouse (word to Steve Irwin), your crack SLAMonline.com staff sat down and ranked the 50 best players in the NBA today. We realize that’s kind of ambiguous, but that’s how basketball is and that’s how we like it. Basically, though, we tried to list the 50 guys we think have the most value to their teams, right now, at this moment. This doesn’t mean they’ll never be traded, and it doesn’t mean they’re due tremendous contract extensions, but it does mean — since value is king in the NBA — that over the next month or so we’ll run down the 50 guys that we think are the 50 best players, right here, right now.
Before long it’ll be time for our annual NBA team previews. Right now it’s time for some law and order…
10. Kevin Garnett
By Marcel Mutoni
Losing and failure to achieve one’s goals can do terrible things to a man. It can turn him against the world, and ultimately, himself. This is what I fear has slowly been happening to Kevin Garnett. The first signs started showing during the Lakers series in 2004 when he pushed Kobe and Shaq to a game 6 and had everyone tripping for a moment. He started saying things about how he needed to control his emotions and not let them control him; you could see him meditating and doing breathing exercises on the bench during timeouts; and when calls went against his team, he somehow kept his composure (recall that he got tossed in one of those games and barely said a word to the refs). Most saw this as a sign of maturation and growing up as a basketball player, and while I agreed with them (partially), I couldn’t help but feel that a part of who KG really is was dying. He was no longer the irrepressible man-child who lit up any arena the second he stepped foot in it by the sheer force of his personality. He was trying to become a cold-blooded assassin.
Flashes of the old KG had surfaced earlier in those playoffs. Recall game 7 of the first round, when Garnett and the Wolves finally shed the monkey off their back. While talking to reporters, before going out and destroying Webber and the Kings, Garnett showed why we fell in love with him in the first place: “It’s Game 7, man. That’s it. It’s for all the marbles….Sitting in the house, I’m loadin’ up the pump….I’m loadin’ up the Uzi. I got a couple M-16s, a couple 9s. I got a couple joints with some silencers on them…I’m just loading clips, a couple grenades. I got a missile launcher with a couple of missiles. I’m ready for war!”
Predictably, the critics savaged him in their columns and TV segments, but real heads knew where he was coming from and more importantly, realized that there was absolutely no way he was letting his team lose that game. 32 points and 21 rebounds later, what controversy?
Last season, not taking into account his commercials, I can probably count on both hands how many times I saw the man smile. Shit, Stringer Bell smiled more than KG. It was that kind of year; it’s turning into that kind of career. Losing will do that to you. Mismanagement will do that to you. By all indications, if things don’t change for the better in Minny, this is going to be Garnett’s last year as a Timberwolf. I can only hope that before it’s too late, Kevin Garnett heeds Scoop Jackson’s harrowing advice in SLAM from a couple of years ago (I’m paraphrasing here): “Don’t go dark on us, brah. Give us your light.”
105 Responses to “10. Kevin Garnett”
Nov.2 at 1:59 pm
Dylan says:
Oh hell no! People just forget about Kev because of his team, but I would put him above the Robot at least.
Nov.2 at 2:03 pm
Max Airington says:
Im starting to believe that McHale intentionally sabatoged his career out of sheer jealousy. How else can you explain those moves? He cost the franchise it’s future to sign Joe Smith under the table? Ndubi Ebi? Still, Glen Taylor has been recently quoted saying that he’ll never fire McHale. What a f*cking waste…
Nov.2 at 2:05 pm
Tony G says:
KG is top 5, so is Duncan..if you don’t think that, you believe too much hype.. Carmelo is a little better than Big Dog in his prime..
Nov.2 at 2:10 pm
Vitor says:
Melo ahead of KG? oh hell no…what the fuck?
Nov.2 at 2:13 pm
rob stewart says:
Great picture of KG. K.G.’s career reminds me of lyrics from a church song. “after you’ve done all you can you just stand” Hang in there K.G. I hope his story ends with a championship. If not he’s a champ in my book.
Nov.2 at 2:14 pm
vince sucks says:
are we gonna get a revised list in the middle of the season after chris paul misses the all star game
Nov.2 at 2:15 pm
Vitor says:
Man, i can’t get over this…first real beef i have with this list You can’t rank melo, paul and nash ahead of KG…
Nov.2 at 2:23 pm
Reggie Evans says:
He fooled you. It takes 5ive.
Nov.2 at 2:27 pm
Jamison says:
I don’t know about this one. I think KG should be 6th at worst. I just can’t see how AI, Carmelo, Chris Paul and Nash can be considered as better or more valuable than KG.
Nov.2 at 2:35 pm
Bruno says:
KG is one of the 5 best players in the league … carmelo, nash, chris paul before him??? no way
he’s right there with kobe, lebron and AI
Nov.2 at 2:40 pm
Ang says:
KG is top5. this is bullshit. melo will never be better than kg.
Nov.2 at 2:58 pm
Seattle says:
Kevin is up there but not with AI or Melo it should be wade, Lebron, Nash, KG, TD
Nov.2 at 2:58 pm
Myung says:
In that picture, he looks nothing like the high school version of Slim (minus the jheri curls) from the movie The Wood (the Taye Diggs, Omar Epps movie). Nothing.
Nov.2 at 3:00 pm
Noah Doucette says:
Wow you guys are really banking on pauls first year. already putting him above KG. that is pretty nuts. i think i wuda put kg ahead o melo an CP.
Nov.2 at 3:00 pm
Marin says:
Hey, let’s not forget that the Ticket’s original huge contract was the reason Starbury left, and why the team couldn’t put good cats around him. I’m not hating for him getting paid, but when he made half the team’s cap space, of course the team won’t be good. His latest deal is more reasonable, and the Ticket seems to have understood that importance.
Nov.2 at 3:04 pm
Max Airington says:
There was more than enough cash for Steph to stick around. Once contract structures changed, Steph was never going to make anywhere near KG money anyway. I think. Dude left cause he hated it here and he thought HOF forwards grew on trees….
Nov.2 at 3:05 pm
allenp says:
I disagree with Marin’s comments. KG’s contract was very similar to the deals signed by Shaq and Chris Webber. Both of those guys were surrounded by talent. The Wolves drafted bad, signed bad free agents, and McHale is holding on to his job cause he’s a hometown hero.
Nov.2 at 3:20 pm
Jared says:
This is total bullshit. Can’t wait for KG to win MVP and take his team to the playoffs, come on SLAM, you’re better than that…
Nov.2 at 3:23 pm
Portland Dankblazers Carlos says:
i personally would put KG ahead of AI, Melo, and Chris Paul easily…a big man with his passion, range, and off the dribble skills…though i can see why slam would give him this ranking since his teams suck in the playoffs, well if they even get there
Nov.2 at 3:27 pm
Portland Dankblazers Carlos says:
Top ten rule to follow—never ever put a PG not named Nash in front of KG… and for all those Nash haters, get out of here, im not even huge on Nash but theres no denying his value to the suns-he makes his teamates better by finding them in the right spot, and when his teamates are off he comes out and pours 40…he was the main reason the suns remained a legit contender without amare
Nov.2 at 3:30 pm
JG says:
Chris Paul better not even make the list after this. That’s no disrespect to CP, but he is NOT a top 10 player in this league, he’s not even top 20 yet. That’s not to say he won’t ever be, but not yet. And he certainly is not better OR more important after his first year than: Marion, Garnett, Yao, Pierce, O’Neal (Jermaine or Shaq), Billups, Brand, TMac, Carter, Kidd, Allen, AK47, Gasol, etc etc I’m sure I’m forgetting some. I love his future, but a first year player is in NO WAY top 10 in the NBA. As far as ‘Melo goes, i think he is being grossly overrated as well. He’s top 20 maybe, but putting him over KG isn’t right. Anyone who bothers watching basketball, even the MOST CASUAL FAN, knows this. Now all you guys saying Nash should be behind KG, Brand, Yao, etc, I strongly disagree. Nash is a sure shot Hall of Fame player, 2 time MVP, and he changed the way the NBA played it’s game. Not to say KG didn’t, but Nash really shook the league on his arrival in Phoenix. That’s all I got
Nov.2 at 3:32 pm
Portland Dankblazers Carlos says:
KG’s nickname should be my creation, the Lonely Wolf up in Minny, I have a great quote from KG after his squad got knocked out in the Western conf. finals a few yrs back…check it out, its mad funny, and easy to relate to: “Getting knocked off, knocking at the door, no one answering — those things are not only humbling, but they put a different kind of fire in you. Every time you come up short, it’s like seeing that girl in school every day that you’re sweet on. It’s like, she ain’t ever said two words to you but all of a sudden she smiles at you. That turns into a ‘hi.’ A ‘hi’ turns into a walk down the hall. That turns into sitting with her at lunch. And then when you get that phone number, ‘OK, cool!’ That turns into a big opportunity. When you get to the Western Conference finals, you feel like you’ve got the phone number. And then you lose the phone number. And she moves away to a different school. You have no way of getting in contact with her and you feel like you’re moving backwards now. You don’t know any of her friends. But you know what school she’s going to, so you can go up there, sit in the parking lot and look really stalk-ish.”—KG, the lonely wolf up in Minny
Nov.2 at 3:36 pm
sheed33 says:
i would like to see kg in a huge market like l.a. or ny. That would be a nice lineup: trade scenario No. 1 (just playing):
kg for francis, frye:
C Eddy Curry (at least he’s better than Jackie B and James J)
PF Kevin Garnett (captain, leader, heart)
SF Jared Jeffries (ny’s own bowen collector)
SG Quentin Richardson (no need for D)
PG Stephon Marbury (Pass it and KG’ll find it) trade scenario no. 2 (just playing):
KG for Mihm, Kwame, Radmanovic
C Andrew Bynum (for the upside)
PF KG (for the boards)
SF Lamar (for the left handed heart)
SG Kobe (for game time)
PG Smush (for the street-game)
Nov.2 at 3:41 pm
kjo says:
KG looks an awful lot like chris bosh in that shot…or should i say bosh is looking a lot like a young KG…
Nov.2 at 4:00 pm
wassup says:
ok now this list is officialy horrible.Like it was before but now its just crazy bad. KG 10th best player in the league?haha
Nov.2 at 4:01 pm
wassup says:
i cant get over this bullshit
Nov.2 at 4:06 pm
Peter says:
Does anyone else think KG looks like DIKEMBE MUTOMBO’s long lost brother in that picture?
Nov.2 at 4:08 pm
Playa says:
If he had a chip, he’d probably be top 5. Time’s running out for him to win one, and it ain’t happening unless he’s traded. Unless he wins one, he’ll always be one of those guys that didn’t take it all the way like barkley or ewing. Unfairly or not.
Nov.2 at 4:16 pm
Steve says:
The worst list ever. CP over KG. I lost sooo much respect for SLAM its sad.
Nov.2 at 4:22 pm
Darksaber says:
T.E.N.T.H! The most complete big man in the league, taller and faster than T-Dunc, loads more post up game than Dirk, hoovers rebounds better than ANYONE, passes well, dunks with style, plays hurt for 2 seasons in a row and is (by all accounts) a fantastic person, and Slam made him 10th. Blasphemy! Pure and putrid Blasphemy you guys. Don’t be fooled by Melo, Bron and Wade on the cover of SI people, the one player ANY team in the league would love to have for a championship run is KG. Lord, can’t wait for the remaining 9.
Nov.2 at 4:25 pm
Darksaber says:
This is so bad, i’m actually wishing the trippler would restart his constant top 5 rant….
Nov.2 at 4:25 pm
albie1kenobi says:
unfortunately, he may not even be on the same sentence as barkley or ewing. those two went deep into playoffs every year, unlike KG’s wolves.
without kevin, wolves are about as good as blazers. but i guess he’s ranked this low because it doesn’t seem like he’s making them substantially better.
lone wolf indeed, he was the only person in the wolves franchise who’s doing anything. no one else is on his level and all of them are failing him. a terrible front office that draft horrible and completely unsavvy with free agents, subpar coaches (now we all know Flip is a bad playoff coach, which explains wolves early exits, along with bad seeding), and uninspired supporting cast.
KG is extremely loyal, but it’s not going to happen in ‘Sota. just leave, KG, no one can blame you. you stick by the franchise through its worst and you gotta start looking after yourself. him and the wolves are at the end of the road and they need to move forward separately.
and as much as i don’t care about the rankings ever since Kidd’s injustice, this one still pains me (i’m not arguing against it though). 10th. he was the MVP just 2 years ago. TWO FUCKING YEARS. sigh.
Nov.2 at 4:28 pm
CASHVILLE says:
He is the epitome of the perfect player as a teamate, face of the league, and employee but tht is also his downfall. I never thought someone could be “too” loyal but that does seem to be the case for KG. Its like being in a relationship and the girl keeps cheating on you but you keep coming back because you told her on the first date that ya’ll would be together forever. That was a bad analogy but you guys get what I’m saying. The Wolves keep shittin on him and he does nothing to get out of the way. He deserves better but he is a grown ass man that makes his own decisions so I guess we have to let it be. I agree with the top five votes just because of his freakish talent alone but his teams are “Suspect Ni**as” like “It Was Written” but you have big headed McHale to blame for that. He can play with anyone so I can’t see why its so hard to get him a sidekick. We should get some “Let KG Go” t shirts like the LOX campaign a while back and see what happens.
Nov.2 at 4:29 pm
Seattle says:
Baron Davis didn’t even make the list that’s sad. and if he did hes way overrated
Nov.2 at 4:32 pm
albie1kenobi says:
i don’t like Lakers or the Knicks, but if it’ll help KG win a ring, i’ll turn a blind eye on it. in fact, i won’t be mad which ever team he gets a ring with, though i’d say that they should orchestrate a trade with nets and get him to finally play with kidd. my 2 fav players together getting their due at last. double triple-double threat every night.
Nov.2 at 4:34 pm
albie1kenobi says:
word to Cashville, “Let KG Go”.
though i think KG also has to let go too.
Nov.2 at 4:40 pm
JG says:
Seattle: Nah, Baron didn’t make it, but he’s just the tip if the iceburg of guys who should’ve been on this list. RJeff, Starbury and Odom being the three biggest names I can think of right off the top of my head. Then you got guys like Andrea Bargnani and Darko Milicic on here. ….WHAT THE FUCK!? And with CP it’s like pick your poison. If he’s top 10 then he’s wayyy overrated, if he didn’t make the list then he’s wayyy underrated
Nov.2 at 4:42 pm
JG says:
Damn, i have a feeling this may just get the most posts yet
Nov.2 at 4:45 pm
Illmatic says:
Worst…List…Ever!
Nov.2 at 4:47 pm
Darksaber says:
Injustice. Sacrilege. And any other big word that can be used to describe this ranking of the big ticket, use it. Gawd, forgot he was the MVP. Fuck loyalty Kevin, leave Sota. Now. Don’t let us see ya on a party boat with the hoes on the minnetonka. that would be too much
Nov.2 at 5:00 pm
CASHVILLE says:
Randy Foye looked good in the summer league….
Nov.2 at 5:01 pm
Mase_on says:
Everyday all you guys are complaining about the rankings. It´s ridiculous! You can´t even read what this list is about. It´s not about the best current player, it´s this: “Basically, though, we tried to list the 50 guys we think have the most value to their teams, right now, at this moment.” AT THIS MOMENT. Get it?!? If you build a franchise today, what players would you build it around? Well KG is over 30 now and and hasn´t taken his team deep into the playoffs for years (except one year)… Get a guy like CP3 and he has proven in one year that he´s among the best point guards in the league and half the league wants to play with him. Now who is more important to a team, huh? Same goes with Carmello, Dirk, D-Wade… Get a clue!
Nov.2 at 5:02 pm
Brian says:
This list has been ok up to this point, but come on, there is no way in hell CP, Melo, or AI should be above KG. I know the guy hasn’t done much in the postseason, but Philly would trade AI for KG in a heartbeat.
Nov.2 at 5:04 pm
CASHVILLE says:
I’m a Baron Davis fan to the death so I see what ya’ll saying but. He looks like buddha out there killing dudes. I know you remember when he punched it on KG’s chest a while back and let’s not talk about the Rucker…
Nov.2 at 5:06 pm
Spaceman says:
Carmelo has to be next…this is a bullshit list. Slam keeps losing.
Nov.2 at 5:06 pm
Darksaber says:
Yeah Mase, Melo sure is a winner and a franchise builder so far in the NBA
Nov.2 at 5:21 pm
Stevie B says:
Yo Lang……..With this s#*t i cannot just see your website man. Come on CP over KG?????? I Know how u feel as a Hawks fans. But please, for the sake of all linkstigator all round the world………Remember CP fabulous rookie year is at the same time with David West’s…..while last year KG is playing with: Center who didn’t rebound (Kandiman+Blount)
PF who like to grab the balls (not the orange one)
Nutty SF who change team every year (Ricky D)
Rookie SG (McCants)
and Too short/Too lanky PG (T-Hud/Jaric)
Nov.2 at 5:59 pm
dave says:
Sorry slam, melo is not, never will be, more valuable to any team than Kg has been, or will be. You messed this one up. with mase’s logic, he’d even put CP and melo above Timmy D for this season(or at this moment). go ask Denver and NO Gms if they would hold out on a trade for either KG or Td
Nov.2 at 6:21 pm
Shiz says:
I guess everythings been pretty much said… Phenom of a talent…Putz of a GM…pretty much sums it up…
Nov.2 at 6:22 pm
Shiz says:
What the hell ever happened to Bug and the Fun Police?
Nov.2 at 6:24 pm
albie1kenobi says:
so now we should talk about fun things that Garnett did, like his fun police commercials. either that or his classic ESPN mag spot with Steph.
“tastefully done.”
Nov.2 at 6:25 pm
Shiz says:
All the talk of CP being overrated is just boulderdash (yeah…I said boulderdash).. CP don’t play like no green ass rook. He’s another one suffering from KG syndrome…Mounds of talent, no help… He shoulda been on the list near the bottom, next to marbury or Kidd, but not in the top ten…but he shoulda made the list…long ago…
Nov.2 at 6:42 pm
joe says:
wow! c’mon slam, you gotta b kiddin me. The wolves have 2 bad years in a row n the guy who was the best in the L three years ago drops to 10th. You’ll see hes top 5 again by the end of the year
Nov.2 at 6:46 pm
DP says:
Yo what is with all the damn melo hatin. The man is raw and a very good team member to boot. All of you haters will see this year. Melo will continue from where he started in the WBC. He will average around 27 and 8 a game. That is a guaransheed! Anyway, KG is better than TD. TD is not even the best forward in the league. It is KG. Look who he has around him. He needs to go to No. 1 kobe and the surging lakers. monta for most improved player of the year(22 points last night, Baron watch out). Rudy for rookie of the year(21 points). play wit it.
Nov.2 at 6:54 pm
serbia23 says:
KG walkin double double, but he shud gain some muscle hes like a toothpick
Nov.2 at 6:55 pm
Emilio says:
paul Lower than k.g comon guyz are we forgetin that well .. its KG were talkin about like shure pauls good but KG is the whole team. In terms of value in my books K.G is #1 hes the whole team, take him away , destroy the franchise Check this K.G for martin in a trade to denver Just imagine for a sec peace
Nov.2 at 7:09 pm
chronically_ill says:
no way melo is better than KG. Melo is a good scorer, and a good rebounder for a SF, but he dosent give you assists, steals, blocks. Chris Paul definitely has value, cuz he’s a pure point and you dont have too many of those these days. but i dont think he should be top ten….yet. But damn, KG in Minnesota….what a freakin waste of god-given talent. The man should have a bunch of rings by now. Why the hell does Kevin McHale still have a job?
Nov.2 at 7:30 pm
boobs says:
kg at 10 is jus fucked up
kg is still top 5 in the leage
nigger is higher than dirk and duncan still
Nov.2 at 8:10 pm
Pinoy! says:
NOOOOOOOO! You guys messed up your list with this one! At least KG brought the Twolves with Sam I am and Latrell “feed my family” Sprewell to the Western Conference Finals three years ago! Melo has never led the Nuggs past the first round! Cmon! … and CP3 just unproven as an all-star caliber player not even close to the league of Nash and Kidd… If AI is at no9 then I am making my own list!
Nov.2 at 8:33 pm
TrippleX says:
Melo is doin’ much better after his first three years than Garnett did in his first 3 years. Just sayin’ …
My Top Five (out of the remaining players)
1. Lebron
2. Dirk
3. TD
4. Nash
5. Kobe
Nov.2 at 8:46 pm
Frodo says:
KG should be top five, no questions asked. Very few could beat him, maybe only Kobe, and LeBron. Who else carries a team by themselves?
Nov.2 at 9:06 pm
Paolo says:
The most talented player since Michael Jordan. The most gifted inside player of the new millenium. The most explosive big man of the pre-Amare Injury Era. The most intense competitor of the past decade. Bar none, the best over-all basketball player of his generation. The most wasted package of talent, intensity, moxie and swagger since Patrick Ewing. Let’s all give it up to Kevin McHale. You threw it all away.
Nov.2 at 9:12 pm
scott says:
KG needs traded before he just snaps…Maybe will see him in LA with Kobe or back in his hometown with the Bulls…Can’t see how KG has less value to his squad then say Allen Iverson, Chris Paul, or Carmelo Anthony. However, there are some players that the T-Wolves would probably trade KG straight up for that have already been mentioned: Elton Brand, Gilbert Arenas, Dwight Howard, and Yao Ming. The picture of KG in the write up is by far the sweetest picture to date.
Nov.2 at 9:18 pm
Matt Wens says:
cmon slam, ur all over other comments, but when dudes are rippin on ya…….. quiet…
Nov.2 at 9:19 pm
scott says:
Love KG but lets face the facts he has been out of the first round of the playoffs ONCE
Nov.2 at 9:24 pm
tha truth says:
forget Free Darko. Free KG!!!!!!!
Nov.2 at 9:25 pm
scott says:
Myung do you think your beloved Hawks will ever compete as long as Billy Knight is the GM?
Nov.2 at 11:07 pm
jesse says:
K.G. is a true baller and should be higher than number ten. Come on guys he’s been getting twenty and ten for a while now. And how and the hell are you gonna put the answer and Chris Paul in front of them. K.G. has been carrying the TWolves on his back since he came in.
Nov.2 at 11:19 pm
Dbomb says:
U guys are dumb, obviously they are just having fun pissing us off. They probably laugh their asses off in the office at how pissed some of you get. Also some of you guys write more shiat than the slam writers do. Smell Ya Later
Nov.2 at 11:50 pm
ForeHead says:
KG needs a better team with him bring back Spreewell to the wolves eheheh
Nov.3 at 12:25 am
ALX8725 says:
I think Chris Paul is deservingly placed on this list at this point in time. This list is about a player’s value to their team… Chris Paul gave his team… what was it? 20 more wins? The Hornets are sneaking in the playoffs this year. And is there anyone out there who thinks the Twolves are going to the playoffs this year? So really, who is more valuable to his respective team? Chris Paul or KG?
Nov.3 at 12:35 am
nathan says:
yo man, i don’t give nothin’ about kg but kobe better be ahead of him. kg’s good fantasy-wise but he ain’t got no rings.
Nov.3 at 12:49 am
Chief says:
I think KG is valuble to his team cause he provides a strong base. However when things look bad he doesn’t seem to keep his head up adn look at it like the Franchise player he should be.
i expected big things out of him and expect that they will come.
Nov.3 at 12:58 am
rhys-unit says:
why the fuck did u put duncan,nash and paul over him..man a.i(1),kobe(2),KG(3),lebron,wade
Nov.3 at 3:12 am
D says:
Put KG on the Celtics and they win the East. There isn’t one team (that isnt stacked) out there that could win their conference by adding CP, and yet he’s rated better than KG after one year in which he practically led the league in turnovers.
Nov.3 at 4:12 am
Ang says:
the way this stupid list is going, they’re probably gonna put melo and cp before kobe.
Nov.3 at 6:12 am
Paolo says:
And fuck, Slam! Carmelo Anthony over Kevin Garnett? You all need to be hugged by a loved one. Tang ina. You’re all screwed. Carmelo is just a younger Glenn Robinson.
Nov.3 at 6:22 am
mike says:
CP for number 1
Nov.3 at 6:31 am
Harlem World says:
Its not about being ‘disgusted’ or ‘angry’ or whatever with y’all. At the end of the day, opinions are like a-holes - everyone has one. What is disappointing is, you’ve gotten to the level you are by mostly representing the voice of the people - with (mostly) integrity. The CP situation is just losing you all a whole lot of credibility. KG number 10? TEN? There are not 9 better or more important/valuable players in the world than Kevin Garnett. Everyone makes mistakes, but the CP situation has gotten out of hand. CP better than KG? No. No. And more No. Somebody should have told y’all…those were not lifesavers in his pocket…they were his nuts.
Nov.3 at 7:34 am
Stevo says:
FUCK NO, Melo is not a younger G-Rob, g-rob was a loser. Kg can’t hit game winners like Carmelo, and carmelo changes the complexion of the game with just his scoring alone. G-rob never did that, much less played d. there is a reason carmelo and lebron are whispered in the same breath
Nov.3 at 7:43 am
scott says:
Maybe Tim Duncan is ahead of KG because Duncan is clearly better. Garnett rings zero and Duncan rings three. Tim Duncan is only the greatest power forward in the history of the game. Plus Duncan will have four rings by next summer.
Nov.3 at 9:07 am
JG says:
Tripple:
No doubt Melo has had a better first 3 years in the league than KG did. As a matter of fact, CP had a better rookie year than KG, too. But I’d question whether they are better or more important to their team than KG RIGHT NOW. And my answer is no
Nov.3 at 11:38 am
Portland Dankblazers Carlos says:
My take (I’ve considered impact, potential, leadership, playoff success)
1. Kobe
2. Lebron-Wade (virtually tied, Wade has Shaq at 60% but I am sick of analysts playing down the talent around lebron-i mean he does have Z(top 7 center no doubt), Larry Hughes (bouncing back from injury, looked good the other night, and a good O rebounder in gooden, who i dont really like but still)
3. Dirk and Duncan tied(could give the edge to TD since he has rings)
4. Nash
5. DHoward-he’ll take the Magic on a nearby ride to Disneyworld
6. KG(no disrespect, but can’t ignore missing the playoffs and the wolves’ inability to get out of the 1st round)
Nov.3 at 12:37 pm
shoez_crazy@hotmail.com says:
That HS pic of KG is pretty hype, I agree….But omg the people at SLAM are just wack….KG number 10….that playoff thing doesnt really mean anything….he fills the stat line every night…It is his team that is Shit….and it looks like its going to keep going cuz Randy Foye is going to be a flop…just watch!!
Nov.3 at 1:50 pm
Tony G says:
lol @ the guy who said Dwight Howard is better than KG.. top 5 in the L can go in any order.. my opinion is it’s Kobe, Lebron, Wade, Duncan and KG..in that order.. it’s hard to rank, because DUNCAN AND KG ANCHOR D’S..they are both 2 of the best defenders in the L, unlike Kobe(don’t believe the hype..he’s good, but not elite) Wade, Lebron, Dirk or Nash.. this isn’t the first bad pick on the list..Paul Pierce at 18th is just ridiculous..same with Bosh, Vince, T-Mac, and Elton Brand.. there’s NO WAY Carmelo, Iverson or Paul can be ahead of KG..there isn’t even an argument..
Nov.3 at 1:54 pm
Tony G says:
to the guy who said Melo’s been better than KG in his first 3 years..so? Carmelo Anthony can only do ONE thing, scorer..he’s one of the most one-D players in the NBA.. you can say Nash is ahead because he’s the MVP, even though I don’t believe it.. you can say Dirk, because at least Dirk can be agreed on as an elite player, unlike Melo and Paul.. Kobe, Lebron, Wade and Duncan have arguments everyone knows about.. Iverson’s a great player, but there isn’t any reason to put him ahead of KG, especially since Iverson’s team is even worse than KG’s..Slam obviously has bias to Iverson.. I think Slam started the list, and then didn’t think it through before..because there’s no logic on this list..you have future guys like Paul and Howard early, but Bosh is 20th..no sense..you have AK ahead of T-Mac, when they both have the same problem..
Nov.3 at 1:58 pm
karan says:
WHATTTTT!!!!! KG at #10????? wow… my fav magazine of all time has just disgraced itself a notch… KG is top 3 for sure
Nov.3 at 3:09 pm
TrippleX says:
My reason for mentioning that Melo has done more than KG in his first three years was in response to Pinoy!’s comment that “Melo has never led the Nuggs past the first round! Cmon!” I was finding fault with his dissin’ Melo just because he hasn’t reached Round 2 of the playoffs. Yes, all Carmelo can do is score, but scoring seems to be pretty important in the game of basketball, wouldn’t you agree?
Nov.3 at 3:12 pm
Tony G says:
yeah..Melo’s a good player, there’s no denying, but I’ll take a guy who can do EVERYTHING, including anchor a D, over a guy who just scores..
Nov.3 at 4:03 pm
snowchess says:
kg is not up in top 5 either statistically, teamwise or as a character-leader-winner.
so why dear karan, would you put him up in top 5, tell me
Nov.3 at 7:06 pm
Justin H says:
Wish you had teamates who want to play. Sorry.
Nov.3 at 7:14 pm
shoez_crazy@hotmail.com says:
SLAM just lost alot of credibility….Maybe ill start looking at sports illustraded for kids from now on……lol
Nov.4 at 7:50 pm
Tony G says:
you shouldn’t be looking at magazines or any media-related thing for their opinions on the NBA..they all suck when it comes to player and team rankings..they hype someone too much, so they can be the first to say “I told you so..”..
Nov.6 at 7:56 am
Boyd says:
I love Charles Barkley, but the guy never won anything, and neither will KG. Lets not be stupid and start confusing ‘most valuable’ with physical talent. AI shouldn’t even be in the top 50, he’s untradelable, incompatible with everyone (cos its a team game) and much like KG, will never win a thing. KG has great talent, but you have to build a franchise around a guy like that. Only point guards and pivots can single handedly transform a ball club, (unless your name is Jordan) because they represent the fundamentals of the game. Power forwards just can’t do it. And don’t come at it with any BS about Tim Duncan, cos if it weren’t for the admiral he’d have bin playin 5 since ‘97. I don’t disagree with KG’s physical talents putting him in the top ten, but like Barkley in Philly and the later Suns years, management have f*cked him over by expecting him to carry the team, rather than building the team around him. For that reason, he may have crazy dynamic skills compared to Nash or Paul, but he just isn’t as valuable. A good power forward on a bad team = losses; a good point guard on a bad team = wins.
Nov.7 at 5:26 pm
Ike' says:
‘Melo better than KG??? What have you all been smoking? KG has more triple doubles and double doubles now than ‘Melo will ever get.
Too bad he is on a team that sucks colossally. I think this has drained the hope in him. I remember the season he had before things became this bad, when they beat the Nuggets to play the Lakers in the West Finals. KG was a beast. And still is.
It’s like asking you to go to work everyday, when you know that you hate your job and your co-workers, and you can get paid more in a gang of other places. No motivation.
Nov.10 at 6:39 pm
David says:
This really disgust me…. i will give chris paul all the credit in the world. BUT KG hands down needs to be top 5 over melp, timmy, and CP3. People need to wake up and realize KG is a walking triple double every time he steps in the gym. This list needs to be revised by the people who may not be “experts” but rather the fans. Carmelo Anthony a great player but his career is young and he has ALOT of time to blossom and what has he done for the game almost nothing except for making a few fans scream night in and night out. WE as fans and you so called “experts” owe KG the ultimate Basketball Respect .. we all should be thanking KG for what he has done to the power foward position. (i’m out)
Nov.14 at 4:56 pm
Jesse says:
What complete jackass put Carlmelo Anthony over Kevin Goddamn Garnett?!?!?! Do you even watch basketball?????? Anyone who would not rank Kevin Garnett in the top five, and does not consider him one of the top 25 players OF ALL TIME doesn’t deserve to watch the game. Period.
Nov.14 at 5:06 pm
Jesse says:
By the way, Mase_on, your a jackass too. I suppose you helped put this accurate little list together. Go watch hockey.
Nov.14 at 11:43 pm
HusEla says:
This has to be the worst judgement passed down in the history of SLAM…I’ve been watching KG since high school & seen him develop into the most complete player of any era. How could you possibly justify these other cats (no disrespect - I know they got mean game, AI, Melo, Flash, CP, TD) but ahead of Ticket? Come on, there is definitely something wrong up in here. You guys really need to check yourselves & pull out the reels of KG’s time in the L. He is definitely in the Top 5 hands down. I have honestly never seen such a disillusional & ill-judged selection in my 30 years on this earth & 20 odd years of following the L. Shame on you SLAM.
Nov.16 at 5:28 pm
mikeymike says:
KG…at least top 5, at least. i understand showing love to Melo and Chris Paul though, they are good, real good. However, KG is a strong dude and a true warrior.
Nov.18 at 4:00 pm
fady says:
are u crazy ppl KG number 10
u msut of done somethin wrong with that the least is top 5 over timothy.. shit man
Nov.20 at 12:01 am
Drew says:
KG is a dominant force in the NBA.. even with his commercials I think he is happy to be in the shadows of the NBA…I would not want to play against a guy as fierce as Shaq who can shoot like kevin mchale. Also don’t ever walk into an arena and immediately comment on someones ability to be great or terrible…just say I bet he can do some stuff or something probabilistic so that KG doesnt come out and score 0 points
Jan.7 at 7:53 pm
Biggs says:
If anywone remembers, KG took the T-wolves to game 6 against the Lakers in 2004, and it took 7 made threes by Kareem Rush to end their playoff run. Who knows, the T-wolves might have been able to dismantle the Pistons. They had more heart than the Lakers did that’s for sure. KG is ahead of Duncan. Look at their career stats, and then look at who each respective player has had for teammates. Not even close. KG wins by a mile.
Jan.13 at 8:19 pm
oppie says:
yall needa stop.
i think that kg should a least be iin tha top 5.
I think that hes one of tha BEST players in that league.
thats why he is MY hero. no mmatter. Oppie,
#13
Mar.11 at 8:13 pm
Steve says:
KG will get his championship this year, and so will Ray Allen and Paul Pierce…. believe that. They got three of them going to war, making DAMN SURE their team dont lose!!!! Remember Ray Allen pushing the Spurs to 6 in the 2nd round without Rashard Lewis, he dropped 45 on the Kings in game 4 to go up 3-1 and take that series before….. plus in 01 when he dropped 41 and his own personal 19-0 run as he took game 6 of the eastern conference finals to push the sixers to game 7….. How about Paul Pierce with 28 points in the 4th quarter as the Celtics made a historic 4th quarter playoff comeback against the nets in game 3 of the eastern conference finals to go up 2 games to 1…. or the KG game you mentioned, about 4 straight clutch baskets against the kings in game 7 in the 4th quarter down the stretch run, on the way to 32 points and 21 boards to win the game and make the west finals……. That is Jesus, the Truth, and the Big Ticket right there. Those are 3 motherfreakin GENERALS going to war together. NBA Finals, I wouldnt bet against them. That is for DAMN SURE!