Kevin Garnett is an intense guy. Anyone who saw him at Celtics training camp in Newport the past two years can attest to that. But sometimes, that intensity gets him into trouble.
Case in point: Saturday night in Boston's playoff opener against the Miami Heat.
Garnett was checking on teammate Paul Pierce, after The Truth was knocked off the court. Miami's Quentin Richardson came over for reasons unknown and KG took offense. Then, in the words of Ron Burgundy, "That escalated quickly. I mean, that really got out of hand fast."
Garnett found himself in the middle of a minor shoving match, he threw a couple of elbows and, as a result, is suspended for Tuesday's Game 2.
A suspension seems like a somewhat unfair penalty, but at the same time, Garnett should know better. He's been in the league a long time and has to keep his emotions in check, especially during the playoffs.
And ever since the Pistons-Pacers brawl in 2004 (Ron Artest's legacy), the NBA clearly has no tolerance for violence. I'm as aware as anyone how hard it is to stay cool in the heat of the moment on a basketball court, or any other playing surface. But Garnett is a professional, and his team needs him to stay focused. He lost his focus for a few seconds Saturday night, and it could cost the Celtics come Tuesday.
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1 comment:
Yup, no good on any level. Just a bad decision at a bad time. That game was just about in the bag, and now homecourt could be lost because of a bad decision.
Although I think the Celtics win Game 2. Rondo will be back to his usual self, and keep in mind, Boston is now 4-0 this season against Miami, including a few wins sans Garnett.
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