The KG Effect

Gotta pay some props to fellow writer on the blogosphere for this top-notch piece

I’ve known for months that the KG was coming, what I didn’t expect was that Kevin would remind me of both Russell and Bird. His intensity and awareness of every other teammate on the floor were a delightful surprise. Every bit as contagious as the insidious get-mine’s of the recent past, is Garnett’s find the open man philosophy--and boy is it fun to watch.

That absolute refusal to lose is a flashback to the days of Larry, or even further back to Bill. It is also the kind of attitude that demands a similar commitment of your fellow players. I knew KG was good, just not this good, and I didn’t realize how much of a leader and example he provided on, off, and near the court. Better than throwback jerseys, he is leading a retro movement to a throwback game--basketball the Celtic way, that I grew up with.On offense Garnett is the ultimate grease guy.

It is amazing how short a time the ball stays in his hands on many occasions. He already knows where the open man is or who is opening up because a defender has taken that first step toward helping. Just as, or even more, exciting is the ripple effect on his teammates. Seeing Perk return the favor feeding KG was an eye-opening experience.

Watching a five-pass penetration and ball reversal swing for an open corner shot is poetry in motion made even more exciting for being a team phenomenon rather than an ESPN highlight move 1-on-three (or four or five). Celtic basketball--I love that game.

Kevin’s ripple effect is no less obvious on defense. His help defense should be accompanied by the trumpet blast of the cavalry charging over the hill. Fewer finishes at the basket and more pull-up jumpers will be the effect of he and Perk manning the lane. He doesn’t just “show” on the pick-and-roll, he throws a blanket on the proceedings. Perk’s rebound numbers may not swell due to his riding his primary-rebounder man out of the picture leaving the cleanup to his strong rebounding teammates Kevin, Paul, and Rondo.

Even during this familiarization period the defensive rotations are coming faster and more naturally. Open shooters are taking their shots with a hand passing by, passers are finding their vision obscured and their targets open only momentarily, and even open looks seem hurried--and the shooting percentages reflect the generally pressured atmosphere. This all starts with the long-armed and active presence in the middle.