by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni
Kevin Garnett isn’t the player he used to be. Even he, begrudgingly, acknowledges this much.
But just because he’s not the same demonic force on both ends of the court, doesn’t mean KG is any less driven to win these days.
Garnett scored 23 points and snatched down 10 boards in a Boston Celtics win over the Utah Jazz last night, and afterwards, he told the media what motivates him — their criticism and jokes about his age.
From WEEI:
Rarely do we get a glimpse into KG’s consciousness, so when we do it’s best to savor it completely. Here goes. “I’m motivated, you know? I hear y’all calling me old. I hear y’all calling me older, weathered. It don’t take really much to motivate me, man. I’m older in basketball years, but in life I’m 30-something. I’m looking at your gray hair, no hair, half hair, beautiful hair, wet hair. I’m just motivated. I like to use that word.
“It doesn’t take much to motivate me, man. I don’t watch too many of you guys’ interviews — garbage — but the ones I do catch, it’s an opinion and it is what it is, but it puts a spark under me, and I like that. Playing against younger talent that’s supposed to be prolific and supposed to be above average, but I’m old, though, you know? Like I said, again, for the third time, it doesn’t take much to motivate me. That’s what it is. That’s what you see.”
KG may no longer be an All-Star caliber player, but his squad appreciates what he’s been able to do this season, especially when playing a new position.
Kevin Garnett clearly does not like it, but for the good of the team, Boston Celtics fans and media would be wise to call him an old man as often as possible going forward.
