Before he steps on the floor, most coaches are accepting of the fact that Kevin Garnett will chalk up 20 points and 10 rebounds. After Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals (26 points, nine boards), though, the Pistons’ coaching staff looked at the tape and counted 53 ball screens that Garnett had set — he only played 38 minutes.
NBA. When Kevin Garnett is on the court, he plays with a passion that William Wallace would envy while delivering a stream of profanities that would make Eddie Murphy blush.
They are tools of self-motivation, but his intensity also rallies his teammates and causes opponents to wonder if his perceived insanity should be legal. Garnett is, as most around the league attest, the most tenacious, hard-working player on the floor, whether it’s during practice or a game.
“That’s why he’s the Big Ticket,” Celtics center Kendrick Perkins said. “You never know how valuable he is until you play with him, just the things he does on the court. You really can’t tell unless you’re on the court with him or a teammate.
“You look at him, and instantly you get locked in.”
Pistons coach Flip Saunders, who was Garnett’s coach for 10 seasons with the Timberwolves, remembers working out a lanky high school kid prior to selecting him with the fifth pick in the 1995 NBA Draft. Besides Garnett’s willingness to excel at every drill, Saunders enjoyed spending time with a youngster who had so much respect for tradition.
“The first thing he said is Mr. McHale, Mr. Saunders,” Saunders recalled. “It’s always Mr. Russell, Mr. West.”
Then, there are the intricacies that drive people mad. Garnett spends nearly every second on the floor talking to someone, most often himself — “Kev,” in the third person. This often rattles younger players who don’t know any better. If that doesn’t, though, getting down on all fours at the top of the key and barking at the guy with the ball usually does the trick.
“I’ll be honest with you, I can’t remember half the things that go on during the game,” Garnett said, appearing genuine. “Very rarely I remember my own stuff, so excuse me. Sorry.”
As a teammate, Garnett is the first person every Celtic would choose to go to war with. He demands accountability and often rewards hustle plays by acting like Terry Tate, office linebacker. Just ask Rajon Rondo or Leon Powe, who have been on the receiving end of many Garnett chest-bumps.
Through it all, Garnett has provided the backbone for a team that is two wins shy of its first NBA Finals appearance in 21 years.
“You’re not going to get anybody,” Saunders said, “that’s any better to solidify your team because he understands what a professional is.”