KG Isn’t Feeling Olympian
Team USA reached out to Kevin Garnett recently, and the one-time Olympian politely turned them down. Garnett, 31, played on the Gold Medal winning 2000 Olympic Team (along with current teammate Ray Allen), and he says that he’s had his fill of international competition.
It’s worth noting, however, that unlike some other star players, KG is able to avoid criticism from the basketball community for refusing to join the team. From the Boston Globe:
“There is no discussion about that,” Garnett said. “I don’t want to discuss that. They know that.”
“They have a team and the team is already established, which is good. I’ve had my time in it,” said Garnett,
Said [USA Basketball president] Jim Tooley: “We understand his decision and respect it. He’s with a good team and he’s focused on that.”
In other words: Sorry, guys, but I’m already playing on a Dream Team.
33 Responses to “KG Isn’t Feeling Olympian”
Nov.15 at 5:05 pm
Phil B says:
word.
Nov.15 at 5:05 pm
Ben Collins says:
Both teams are fine as it is. I mean, uh, KG hates America! Yeah! Discuss.
Nov.15 at 5:06 pm
Myles Brown says:
Thats too bad. KG could beat half the teams in the world just by intimidating them into submission with a rabid string of profanity.
Nov.15 at 5:09 pm
MatejČ says:
I totally understand him and nobody should give him a hard time about it!!!
Nov.15 at 5:18 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
USA Basketball don’t want it with KG.
Nov.15 at 5:19 pm
Myles Brown says:
I wonder if he’s ever had a moment where he actually had to stop and check himself like “Damn, did I really just say that?” I really miss that guy.
Nov.15 at 5:21 pm
JohnnyRebel says:
“It’s time to go to war and Ima bring my gat and some bombs a stun gun, some bear spray, a switch blade, some missles and launcher, I’m going to war” KG you mean in China next summmer?
“No against miami, I’ve already gone to international war”
Nov.15 at 5:37 pm
The Best Yet says:
KG doesn’t care about USA Basketball.
Nov.15 at 5:40 pm
Hoop Dreamz says:
Maybe we can try to get him Canadian citizenship a couple weeks before the qualifier this summer! KG lived in Toronto for a couple days each year on road trips to play the Raps since ‘96!!!!
Nov.15 at 5:45 pm
TJ 3000 says:
USA basketball is fine as is, so long as they play hard they cant be beat
Nov.15 at 5:57 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
he is not greedy
Nov.15 at 5:57 pm
Tarzan Cooper says:
besides, that is not the kind of championship he is after.
Nov.15 at 6:00 pm
Reggie Evans says:
KG is unpatriotic.
Nov.15 at 6:04 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Actually, after winning a gold medal and watching Vince jump clear over a seven-foot French guy, why go back? What’s left?
Nov.15 at 6:09 pm
d.Y. says:
Why is this only news now? Didn’t anyone notice him not on the 3 year roster thang?
Nov.15 at 7:01 pm
Chief says:
Yeah Kg did his time. And the team is getting some good chemistry. Melo plays good as a PF so whatever if KG doesn’t play for them. LeBron is their all around player who can do it all. Ohh and Kobe?
I don’t think they will really miss KG that much.
Nov.15 at 7:46 pm
Captain America says:
I don’t have any problem with KG turning down the USA team. Kevin had a choice and he made it. Besides, Kevin has accumulated a lot of miles on that body of his for his age, he always plays through injury, and he is doing the best thing for Boston and his “ring” ambitions. Now, if he decides to turn down endorsements too…
Nov.15 at 7:56 pm
Young C says:
Garnett obviously doesnt support the troops and is in bed with the terrorists.
Nov.15 at 8:25 pm
Kiyan says:
I don’t think KG is being unpatriotic. I think he’s smart enough to realise that the current Team USA has (finally) a healthy mix of players and they’re definitely good enough to go all the way.
Nov.15 at 10:06 pm
David says:
KG won’t go to the USA team because there aren’t enough veterans there for him. Right now it’s all about his new family. Blah blah blah. Maybe he knows that Doc’s going to run the Celtics starters for 40 mins a game for the regular season and he might not have enough energy after their playoff run.
Nov.15 at 10:46 pm
HighDef says:
Reggie your dumb for saying hes being un-patriotic. It has nothing to do with that, the man just doesn’t want the hassle that comes with the USA team. It’s a lot of traveling, hes not as young as he was, he’s already done it once. Plus the team they have is sick anyway so hes not really needed.
Nov.15 at 11:24 pm
JpT says:
he did his thing. he did shout at carter after carter jumped over some 7 footer right?
Nov.16 at 5:15 am
Kiyan says:
Nan.
Nov.16 at 8:14 am
Jay says:
He’s been there, done that. Yeah, he was there when Vince did his thing on a 7-foot-2″ dude and they did get the gold. It’s okay to focus on your real career and let younger cats go after the gold next summer. I understand KG perfectly. He’s going to need his rest ’cause they be still playing in June.
Nov.16 at 10:21 am
SLIM says:
i feel u shawhy
Nov.16 at 10:28 am
jay says:
he played..dhoward, bosh if healthy, boozer should be plenty..add michael beasely and you are set! i love kg but if he dont want to play he should not have to! he did his time in 2000!
Nov.16 at 10:42 am
Jarrod says:
yeah russ after he saw vince jump over that guy he almost got hit in the face by vince. watch the tapes and see
Nov.16 at 1:07 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Did his time.. Please, being called up to your nationalteam is an honour, nobody should ever turn that down - the olympics is the pinnacle of sports watched by people all over the world, I love KG but where is the pride? Sad that the US will be missing their best PF.
Nov.16 at 3:15 pm
dblizzy! says:
I understand his reasoning. Whether it’s true or he just wants to relax during the summer can be debated. i do think everyone here is going easy on him because he’s KG. If this was Kobe(meaning he played in 2000 and wasn’t on the roster yet) and he said “i’ll pass” he’d be getting killed right now! KG is my dude though, so I don’t really care!
Nov.17 at 1:08 pm
Atli says:
It’s much beter for the best player that have ever played to have 1 ring and 1 olympic title.
Nov.17 at 3:23 pm
Wira says:
It’s kinda unfair to some of the guys on the team too since they committed to the three-year program while KG just basically waltz right in…
Nov.17 at 3:58 pm
steve says:
It’s sad, when you look at hockey national teams, their stars players rarely pass on a chance to represent their country. I can understand if KG wants to take time off in the summer and preserve his body, but just playing in the eastern conference should 2-3 years to his career anyways.
Nov.18 at 11:03 am
Rob Paxon says:
I agree dblizzy, it’s probably true that other players would catch the flack that KG isn’t (and surely true that Kobe would). I have to say that no one who already won a gold medal for their country should ever be questioned for leaving it at that. Aside from that, the current Team USA is building excellent chemistry and has a fine roster… there’s no reason to mess with it. He’s getting older and he likely doesn’t want a potential roadblock there between his team and their ultimate goal.