Gasol says Garnett not as explosive, aggressive

[The Regime]

But Friday, Gasol said Garnett isn't the player he used to be.

 

"He's also lost some explosiveness," Gasol said. "He's more of a jump-shooter now, you could say, comes off the lane. Before, he had a really, really quick first step and he was getting to the lane and he was more aggressive then."

 

Gasol added that even though time has passed, Garnett is still a "terrific player, a terrific competitor.

 

Garnett didn't seem to take offense, but said he had "no comments for his comments."

 

Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, for his part, said, "I just can't wait -- I didn't know he said that, but I'll be excited to see how it goes in Game 2."

 

http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2010/06/gasol-says-garnett-not-as-explosive-anymore-more-of-a-jump-shooter-.html

 

They showed his interview on ESPN and he looked pretty butthurt by Pau's comments, sorry to say KG but the truth hurts.

Edited June 4, 2010 by Confidence

[Paul]

Gasol, you had one game where you showed that you can actually man up and you wanna call out Kevin Garnett? I really don't think that was the right move from Gasol. KG is going to come out and man handle Gasol with everything he has in his arsenal. Mark my words please.

[The Regime]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks9DjMhhH14&feature=player_embedded

 

Man he has so much in his arsenal.

[magicbalala245]

Too bad they didn't show the whole [expletive]ing quote the media is trying to stir up [expletive]. This is what Gasol said along with the quote

 

On Kevin’s part, he’s also lost some explosiveness. He’s more of a jump shooter now. Terrific player, a terrific competitor, and he’s going to bring everything he’s got. You can count on that.

Edited June 4, 2010 by magicbalala245

[Force]

Gasol, you had one game where you showed that you can actually man up and you wanna call out Kevin Garnett? I really don't think that was the right move from Gasol. KG is going to come out and man handle Gasol with everything he has in his arsenal. Mark my words please.

Quoting it right now..I really believe Gasol will keep it up for game 2.

[bigdog17k]

Will this backfire on Gasol?

[reno]

Congrats gasol can outmatch an old man with a bum knee, must mean a lot to him.

[Warren2ThaG]

Congrats gasol can outmatch an old man with a bum knee, must mean a lot to him.

 

Bynum outmatched Perkins on a bum knee...

[Paul]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks9DjMhhH14&feature=player_embedded

 

Man he has so much in his arsenal.

Really brah? You are telling me after that one botched lay up he doesn't have an arsenal. Like I said, after game two trust that I will be back in here.

[Flash]

The last person I'd ever wanna call out is KG.

[ChosenOne]

He has lost a step but still is a great player that has to be accounted for on both sides of the ball every play down.

[ChosenOne]

Will this backfire on Gasol?

 

 

The last person I'd ever wanna call out is KG.

 

Gasol Said:

 

On Kevin’s part, he’s also lost some explosiveness. He’s more of a jump shooter now. Terrific player, a terrific competitor, and he’s going to bring everything he’s got. You can count on that.

[Nitro]

Even though he didn't call out KG and was respectful, KG is the type of competitor that will use even the most meaningless comments to heart. Gasol was somewhat haunted by the 2008 Finals and how he got outmuscled and outworked by the Celtics bigs, and finally got a slim taste of redemption last night. But it's only 1 game in a 7-game series. And the Celtics roster is by and large the same as the 2008 championship team. Not a great idea to give them ANY ammunition to come out extra-pumped for game 2, because there are still 6 games for the Celtics big men to bother and bully Gasol into a very tough series.

[The Regime]

Really brah? You are telling me after that one botched lay up he doesn't have an arsenal. Like I said, after game two trust that I will be back in here.

 

Nah I just pointed that one play out to show you why I can't see him having a breakout game. He just isn't the same player any more. KG can take Pau's comments anyway that he'd like but Pau wasn't lying when he said he doesn't play with the same explosiveness and aggressiveness. He tried to post up Pau last night and scored once. His midrange jumpshot is the only thing that's going for him and even that isn't falling with consistency. Injuries and age have killed his mobility so you wont be seeing him beat any of our guys off the dribble. He can still certainly have a impact defensively, but a offensive breakout game is out of the question.

[bigdog17k]

I like how you guys act like Gasol didn't call KG just because he threw some compliments at the end.

[kingfish]

Not so fun getting the trash talked TOWARDS you now is it KG? .

 

 

I like KG's response though, he said "I have no comments towards his comments, who is he anyway." Its the guy that dropped 20+ and 10+ on you last night. This isnt like Kobe saying about Raja Bell "who is he?"

[Erick Blasco]

Go watch Garnett wilt down the stretch of playoff games in Minny, go watch him virtually lose Game 5 of the 2008 Finals by himself (and not really be a huge factor in any of the other games), go watch him---for all of the attacks on Gasol for being soft---be played virtually to a draw by Gasol in 2008. Go watch his subpar start to this series...

 

Saying things like "the last person Gasol should go after is KG..." KG has a history of playing soft in big games, and has ridden the coattails of Latrell Sprewell and Paul Pierce to all of his postseason success. He's a good player. Stop genuflecting like he's the toughest player of all time, simply because he plays hard, has a mean snarl, and talks ish to six foot one point guards.

 

Gasol gave an honest scouting report of KG's game, complete with praise for what KG does well, and what he no longer does well compared to 2008. Gasol is now, like it or not, the best big man in the game, statements that have been echoed by Jeff Van Gundy and Charley Rosen among others. He has a ring. He's outplayed Duncan and Dwight Howard the past two seasons. He's articulate, honest, and a champion. His opinions are as or more valid than anyone else's.

 

If KG is hurt, you know what he can do? Grab more than two (TWO!?!?) defensive rebounds in Game two, give hard fouls when Andrew Bynum and Kobe Bryant are forming a conga line to the basket, and find a way to be productive in the paint and not just 20 feet from the basket.

[Nitro]

KG has a history of playing soft in big games, and has ridden the coattails of Latrell Sprewell and Paul Pierce to all of his postseason success.

 

Oh give me a break. He rode Sprewell's coatails during the T-Wolves 2004 run to the WCF?!? Are you SERIOUS?!? KG won MVP that year, leading his team to the #1 seed of the playoffs. He averaged 24.3PPG/14.6RPG/5.1APG that postseason, including his 32pt/21reb game in game 7 of the semi's against the Kings...Sprewell had 14pts on 6-16 shooting and 6 TO's that game. Garnett averaged more points, rebounds and assists than Sprewell that postseason, and shot better from the field.

 

As for the 2008 Celtics, the team was led offensively by Pierce and ultimately he made most of the big shots and plays that postseason. But, to downplay KG's impact on the team that year is really silly. KG was the DPOY who still was scoring at a decent clip and grabbing 10+ boards a game...and all of his stats increased in that postseason. Not to mention the attitude and toughness he brought to that Celtics team really gave them an intimidating identity. The energy, toughness and defensive prowess he brought to the Celtics should NOT be overlooked.

 

Garnett will never be mentioned in quite the same breath as a Kobe or Duncan, and that can be attributed to many of your gripes against him. I understand this. But, don't get carried away. Much like T-Mac (but to a much smaller degree), a lot of the crticism towards KG regarding to his past teams' successes and how he handles himself as a leader is underserved or greatly exxagerated. And this last post fits into that idea perfectly.

Edited June 5, 2010 by Nitro1118

[Paul]

nitro, you my friend are my new hero.

[Jammin]

Nah I just pointed that one play out to show you why I can't see him having a breakout game. He just isn't the same player any more. KG can take Pau's comments anyway that he'd like but Pau wasn't lying when he said he doesn't play with the same explosiveness and aggressiveness. He tried to post up Pau last night and scored once. His midrange jumpshot is the only thing that's going for him and even that isn't falling with consistency. Injuries and age have killed his mobility so you wont be seeing him beat any of our guys off the dribble. He can still certainly have a impact defensively, but a offensive breakout game is out of the question.

Gasol missed a wide open dunk in the Suns series. Does that mean he's not as good as he was before that play also?

[The Regime]

Gasol missed a wide open dunk in the Suns series. Does that mean he's not as good as he was before that play also?

 

You get my point, he was left uncontested and he missed it. A guy his size should go right up and dunk it every time, he's gased and doesn't have the explosiveness any more.

 

Btw, are you referring to Pau's dunk over Amare, because I don't remember him missing any wide open dunk.

[Erick Blasco]

Oh give me a break. He rode Sprewell's coatails during the T-Wolves 2004 run to the WCF?!? Are you SERIOUS?!? KG won MVP that year, leading his team to the #1 seed of the playoffs. He averaged 24.3PPG/14.6RPG/5.1APG that postseason, including his 32pt/21reb game in game 7 of the semi's against the Kings...Sprewell had 14pts on 6-16 shooting and 6 TO's that game. Garnett averaged more points, rebounds and assists than Sprewell that postseason, and shot better from the field.

 

As for the 2008 Celtics, the team was led offensively by Pierce and ultimately he made most of the big shots and plays that postseason. But, to downplay KG's impact on the team that year is really silly. KG was the DPOY who still was scoring at a decent clip and grabbing 10+ boards a game...and all of his stats increased in that postseason. Not to mention the attitude and toughness he brought to that Celtics team really gave them an intimidating identity. The energy, toughness and defensive prowess he brought to the Celtics should NOT be overlooked.

 

Garnett will never be mentioned in quite the same breath as a Kobe or Duncan, and that can be attributed to many of your gripes against him. I understand this. But, don't get carried away. Much like T-Mac (but to a much smaller degree), a lot of the crticism towards KG regarding to his past teams' successes and how he handles himself as a leader is underserved or greatly exxagerated. And this last post fits into that idea perfectly.

 

And in Game Six of that same series, Garnett shot 42%, turned the ball over five times, had no answer for Sacramento's bigs, and had 19 points to Spree's 27 points and five steals.

 

And in Game Five of that series, KG shot 43%, scored 23 points, and had eight turnovers, while Spree went 13-21, with seven boards, six assists, and 34 points.

 

And so on and so forth.

 

He shot 45%, not great for a post player, turned the ball over a ton, and has enormous non-adjusted stats because he played 44 minutes a game that postseason. His offensive rating was only 100. That's extremely low.

 

Then he faced a Lakers team that tried so hard to beat itself, never shot more than 50%, played more than 42 minutes a game yet attempted, 11, six, five, four, four, and two free throws a game for the series, turned the ball over a ton, and fouled out twice. He rebounded the ball well. So what. He had one elite performance, game five. He was just another body the rest of the series. Even his rebounding numbers were inflated, as the Lakers had games where they retrieved 30% of their missed shots. Game 5, they recovered almost 40%.

 

He had a nice regular season and captured an MVP that voters didn't know what to do with since Shaq only averaged what, 22 points that season? It's all KG had to hang his hat on because his playoffs were so lackluster. He never had the ability to really dominate a great team, either offensively, or defensively. Yet he'd scream and he'd yell, and you'd talk about how much fire he had, while Shaq dominated him in the Conference Finals that year, and lesser teams eliminated him earlier on.

 

He couldn't even make the postseason the following year.

 

He gets traded to Boston where he could become the third option and doesn't have to produce down the stretch. Pierce did all of that.

 

There are lots of guys who play with just as much "passion and toughness" as Garnett. Does anyone talk about Pierce's passion and toughness, for example? Yet Garnett has a history of awful play against spirited teams late in playoff games that's excused because his teammates sucked. Dwyane Wade eliminates all BS bad teammate excuses, by carrying Antoine Walker, and Jason Williams to a title.

 

None of this is meant to make KG seem like some mediocre player.

 

He's not. He provides, as you said, defense, energy, a swagger. He's an exceptional help defender, who can hit some jumpers and score a bit in the post. He's also a terrific passer and a good rebounder. But he's never belonged in a conversation with the best of the best.

 

There's this aura about the guy that's built on impression and myth and not actual greatness.

 

He gets punked by Gasol, Gasol says he's lost a step, and everybody holds their breath like KG is going to drop 40 on him or hold him to 2-19 shooting. Or he's going to destroy Gasol's family. None of this is going to happen. and if KG tries to get extra rough, Gasol will take a bump, show the ball, spin, and drop one of his hooks in Garnett's face.

[CaliCurbStomppa]

KG Lost a step? Yea he slow down somewhat but im sure he can do it still if he wanted to but he doesn't need to because he got Pierce, Allen, and Rondo that can create there own shot. He doesnt really need to go crazy and i wont be surprised if he does a highlight in game 2.

[Nitro]

And in Game Six of that same series, Garnett shot 42%, turned the ball over five times, had no answer for Sacramento's bigs, and had 19 points to Spree's 27 points and five steals.

 

And in Game Five of that series, KG shot 43%, scored 23 points, and had eight turnovers, while Spree went 13-21, with seven boards, six assists, and 34 points.

 

It's very easy to dissect any star in almost every playoff series and nitpick like you are. Sprewell was a borderline All-Star that year and did come up big for them in the playoffs. He was one of their big shot makers, and there is no denying that. But to say he rode Sprewell's coatails that postseason is VASTLY exxagerating what actually took place. KG may never be a guy that's going to average 30PPG in a series or be "the guy" in clutch situations, but you cannot say he rode ANYONE's coatails that postseason when he was league MVP and bettered Spree in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, FG %, etc...

 

Then he faced a Lakers team that tried so hard to beat itself, never shot more than 50%, played more than 42 minutes a game yet attempted, 11, six, five, four, four, and two free throws a game for the series, turned the ball over a ton, and fouled out twice. He rebounded the ball well. So what. He had one elite performance, game five. He was just another body the rest of the series. Even his rebounding numbers were inflated, as the Lakers had games where they retrieved 30% of their missed shots. Game 5, they recovered almost 40%.

 

Ok, that's all fine...but my arguement is refuting the idea that KG rode Spree's coatails, and Spree shot above 43% only twice that series. Garnett was being defended by one of the best defensive bigs in the league, Karl Malone, who was fresh off a series of holding Tim Duncan to below 39% shooting in 3 of the 6 games that series. In the first 2 games at LA, both Minnesota losses, KG had 22/11/7 and 28/13/9. He may not have been the perfect player you expect or the guy that will rip your throat out in the final few minutes like a Kobe, but you are severely diminishing what he did that postseason.

 

He had a nice regular season and captured an MVP that voters didn't know what to do with since Shaq only averaged what, 22 points that season? It's all KG had to hang his hat on because his playoffs were so lackluster. He never had the ability to really dominate a great team, either offensively, or defensively. Yet he'd scream and he'd yell, and you'd talk about how much fire he had, while Shaq dominated him in the Conference Finals that year, and lesser teams eliminated him earlier on.

 

Yeah, KG won MVP because Shaq only averaged 22PPG...c'mon now. KG won because with less talent than Shaq, his team won more games and he had one of the greatest statistical seasons of the last 20 years. Saying he had a lackluster playoff after leading his team to the WCF without a healthy Sam Cassell is ridiculous. And Shaq dominated him in that series? He dominated the boards and had a higher FG % because he had MICHAEL OLOWOKANDI defending him at C! KG had Karl f'ing Malone defending him, and he still had a very, VERY solid series.

 

He couldn't even make the postseason the following year.

 

Neither did Kobe. Your point?

 

He gets traded to Boston where he could become the third option and doesn't have to produce down the stretch. Pierce did all of that.

 

There are lots of guys who play with just as much "passion and toughness" as Garnett. Does anyone talk about Pierce's passion and toughness, for example? Yet Garnett has a history of awful play against spirited teams late in playoff games that's excused because his teammates sucked. Dwyane Wade eliminates all BS bad teammate excuses, by carrying Antoine Walker, and Jason Williams to a title.

 

This little paragraph kind of sums up the problem...KG can't finish games and you don't like how people view him as a player. That's fine, but you persecute him for that and don't look at just how GREAT he was when he was healthy and in his prime. Just because he was never a great closer for his teams should NOT overshadow the fact that for years he was the most well-rounded player in the league and one of the best. He was one of the best scoring bigs in the league, arguably the best rebounder in the league, the best passing big man in the league, and always been a very good defensive player. Just because one area of his game doesn't fit your crtierea of what a great player should be, and just because you disagree with how other people view him doesn't change the fact that for nearly a decade he was a top 3-4 player in the league.

[kingfish]

Gasol, you had one game where you showed that you can actually man up and you wanna call out Kevin Garnett? I really don't think that was the right move from Gasol. KG is going to come out and man handle Gasol with everything he has in his arsenal. Mark my words please.

Lol you were saying? Whats KG going to do, beat him with his walking stick.