Homecoming.
Do you think about me now and then?
By Myles Brown
A staple of modern NBA folklore is Bobby Knight’s advice to his friend Stu Inman, a scout for the Portland TrailBlazers, concerning the second pick of the 1984 Draft.
“…Everybody knew the Houston Rockets were going to take Akeem Olajuwon of Houston with the first pick. With the second pick, Stu told me they were leaning toward Sam Bowie of Kentucky.
‘Stu,’ I said, ‘you’ve got to take Jordan’
‘Bob we need a center.’
‘Well then play him at center’…”
It was clearly a hyperbolic statement that overstated Jordan’s abilities, while giving an accurate assessment of his value. But if someone were to have told a similar story about Kevin Garnett before the 1995 Draft, they would have simply been telling the truth.
He still had his criitcs, however.
“…The fact that he’s played in about…oh, let’s see, uh zero big time college games under the national spotlight and his likely been the largest player in nearly every high school (think about that folks, high school) game he’s been in, leaves this soon to be incredibly wealthy man child in so far over his head, you won’t even see his long arm calling for even see his long arm calling for the ball for at least three seasons. If frankly, ever.”
Hindsight of course, is lasik and it has become abundantly clear that there isn’t one thing Kevin Garnett can’t do on a basketball court. He is the game of basketball. Not just what he can do, but the way he does it. Critics saw how he beasted on high schoolers and dismissed his exuberance as the hubris of a man among boys. No one knew that he would unleash that same fury as a boy among men. A uncontainable passion that bordered on absolute need. To deny every shot. To snatch every rebound. To sink every bucket. To make any play, from anywhere. Until he became a man without peer.
During his stay in Minnesota Kevin Garnett became synonymous with versatility if he didn’t completely redefine the term. But there was one thing he didn’t do on a basketball court. Not enough for many people. Certainly not for the kind of money he made. His lack of playoff success hounded him and raised questions about his ability to elevate not only his teammates, but also his own game. Especially in crunch time. They began as a whisper and grew with every first round exit until becoming an obnoxious howl decrying missed playoffs altogether. The man who did everything was expected to do more. And as those cries rang out, their echoes reverberated into questions of loyalty. To his coaches. To his teammates. To his franchise. To winning. To money. Until he became a man without peace.
Having found early success in Boston, he is still followed by questions about his departure, its circumstances and its bounty. Questions reiterated after the celebratory histrionics of last month’s reunion. While he’d rather answer all comers on the court, this time he couldn’t. Not the way he would have wanted to. And it showed. As he exited the visiting locker room of the Target Center for the first time, flanked by cameramen, I saw his head hung awkwardly low for a man of such pride. Onlookers shouted deeply felt thanks and appreciation and he could barely look up. Not out of shame or frustration, but just as before, out of strength and humility. It was the look of a man trying to maintain composure as he headed towards half court. The spot where once again, he would be laid bare before our eyes. Kevin Garnett only did one thing on the basketball court Friday night and it was more than enough for everyone.May he find the one thing that eludes him.
*But not at the Lakers expense.
35 Responses to “Homecoming.”
Feb.11 at 4:09 pm
H to the izzo says:
Great piece,Myles.I do hate that song though.
Feb.11 at 4:10 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
I just watched the first 2 sentences of Isiah speaking in the first video. So he was totally insane even back then with Toronto?
Nice job Myles!
Feb.11 at 4:10 pm
Myles Brown says:
I love the original with John Legend.
Feb.11 at 4:11 pm
white hot eboy says:
Co-sign both of Izzo’s statements. Nice work as usual, Myles.
Feb.11 at 4:14 pm
H to the izzo says:
That “home game only” rule MUST have made sense at the time,right?It just showed how scared they were of ruining this kid and how little they knew to do about it.
Feb.11 at 4:17 pm
Myles Brown says:
Which is another testament to KG’s greatness. People have all sorts of ways of measuring the G.O.A.T.,but two are “who would you want in a game for your life?” and “could five___beat five______?” Id pick KG for either and not look back.
Feb.11 at 4:20 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Kevin Garnett is talented.
Feb.11 at 4:21 pm
H to the izzo says:
Ah Russ and his hyperbole.
Feb.11 at 4:22 pm
Captain America says:
We really should try to avoid the hyperbolic description of KG, he deserves to be amongst the top 50 NBA legendary players but the man-love is really foolish. KG is a unique player, a throw-back in many ways.
Feb.11 at 4:23 pm
Myles Brown says:
Another man of unsurpassed enthusiasm.
Feb.11 at 4:24 pm
Myles Brown says:
Is there another player in NBA history who could even think of guarding Wilt AND Jordan?
Feb.11 at 4:26 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
Isiah was ahead of his time with that home only thing, cause the Astros did it with Roger Clemens. Maybe at the time it made more sense, but they did draft T-Mac and there was a story about how he was all lonely and depressed up there for 3 years.
Feb.11 at 4:26 pm
Captain America says:
Myles, I can picture you and Britt drooling on yourselves at the Target Center during KG’s cameo.
Feb.11 at 4:30 pm
Myles Brown says:
I waited in the tunnel before and after just to see KG come and go, so I didnt really see it til I YouTubed it. And yes, we did discuss how the man is as unique a player as there has ever been. Britt knows his sh*t. And I agree with him.
Feb.11 at 4:57 pm
Marcel Mutoni says:
kg’s primal screams are life affirming. that is all.
Feb.11 at 5:05 pm
its just alex says:
Love the pea coat.
Feb.11 at 5:14 pm
WhaHuh says:
Its odd to see KG as a teenager. As an adult he is scary in many many ways.
Feb.11 at 5:20 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Isiah should adopt a similar rule with Eddy Curry and only play him in home games against Western Conference teams that tip off before 1 p.m. on weekdays.
Feb.11 at 5:24 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Also, I love Shawn Respert talking about how guys have been busts. Um…
Feb.11 at 5:38 pm
BMan says:
Great piece, Myles.
Feb.11 at 5:49 pm
Gerard Himself says:
Wow, never heard about Isiah’s idea. bahahahahaha
Feb.11 at 6:19 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
“Critics saw how he beasted on high schoolers and dismissed his exuberance as the hubris of a man among boys. No one knew that he would unleash that same fury as a boy among men.” Great, great piece, Myles. I’ve been waiting for this ever since the game. And, whipping out the JThompson interview… You wanted to make me cry today, didn’t you? “You don’t play ball cause you got to , you don’t run sprints cause you got to, I don’t have to go in the gym and put up extra shots cause I got to. I ain’t got to do none of that. This is how I’m built, this is me.” “These are tears of pain”. I hope he is crying tears of joy with his arms slung around that trophy soon enough.” He is special. And if this is too much KG love, sorry. It’s the truth.
Feb.11 at 6:24 pm
SchW says:
Respect Myles
Feb.11 at 6:42 pm
Krayzie Bone says:
I’m late to this, but thats the most adult thing that Thomas has ever said, even if it was a little over the top (Though Kemps Kidz Kamp is a cautionary tale). Enrol him in U of T (which would have been retarded, considering the level of “talent” available for him to practice with), get him some degree to learn him. Actually not that bad and idea, and it may have been good for him, though U of T is where Animal House was.
Feb.11 at 7:11 pm
cheekyricegirl says:
KG is so fierce, so intense. i love this guy. he’s got so much heart. i’ve loved him from day 1! he’s a great role model for the game and for life, period. he takes the lumps and still keeps going. i’m so glad for him and his success this season — he deserves it more than anyone else in the game. HARD CORE!!
Feb.11 at 7:22 pm
Dallas J says:
It struck me that this is a Golden Age of NBA journalism.. articles with accompanying youtube clips.. so many blogs..basketballjones..Slam..I love that.
Feb.11 at 8:24 pm
Free Vick says:
When the hell was KG without peer? The first round exits or the lottery days? When TIm Duncan was dominatingthe playoffs or when shaq and kobe were? KG is so overrated these days. if Kobe’s eam missed the playoffs as often as KG’s he would be taken out back and shot. Everyone loves KG for his so called enthusiasm but when does screaming like a douche bag equate to good leadership? I’d take duncans expressionless dominance over KG’s obnixiousness anyday of the week and twice on sunday.
Feb.11 at 8:26 pm
DP says:
Yeah myles, the original with John Legend is real gutta. don’t know why yezzey put coldplay on the final product though. play wit it.
Feb.11 at 10:53 pm
Ken says:
Ha ha! Co-sign on the Respert comment. I was thinking the exact same thing.
Feb.11 at 11:32 pm
Captain America says:
Respect is earned, not given away. Agree with Free Vick, Duncan earns respect and his antics don’t diminish either.
Feb.12 at 7:55 am
Ben Collins says:
This is so awesome. So so awesome. So.
Feb.12 at 10:08 am
College Wolf says:
I love your integration of the videos… kick ass dude.
Feb.12 at 11:18 am
Bryant Reeves says:
I look good in that first video
Feb.12 at 2:36 pm
Allenp says:
Every player in the league respects KG. They also respect Duncan. Any athlete will tell you that the respect of your peers if far more important than the praise of any fan. Or media type. Certain folks always have something negative to say about KG, time will tell.
Feb.12 at 6:09 pm
albie1kenobi says:
“for the love of the game”
that’s why KG and jordan kicked ass. i would be so fortunate to do something i love.