NBA Top 50: Kevin Garnett (No. 19)

OtB is counting down the days 'til the NBA 2009-10 season tips off by ranking the top 50 players in the league. On Thursday there are/were 19 days left.

When I wrote about Al Jefferson, the people who cared were Celtics fans as I pushed the comparisons between Big Al and the Big Ticket. Sure, there aren't a lot of people up north who can sustain concern for the Wolves for long periods of time, except the sublime and irrepressible Britt Robson...and the decent host of people who comment at The Rake, and then there's Howlin' T-Wolf and Canis Hoopus and TWolves Blog and then Empty The Bench also gets in on the fun, but the point! The point is that there are more Celtics blogs with more ferverent followings at this point, and there's a reason for that. I won't list them, even though this is a post about Garnett, because I like to be a little inverse. But the Celtics, since they acquired KG, have been a "ticking time bomb," kind of like Andrew Bynum's knees.

In this way, Garnett takes a step back from where he historically belonged on these kinds of lists. I had him ten slots up last season. It's not just that the Celts mortgaged their future for the quick championship fix (and there's nothing wrong with that); it's that foreclosure looked to come a bit sooner than anyone expected. The Celts started last season with a blast, and then cooled down for several different reasons. The one that persisted, however, was Garnett's wheels starting to come off. He's got 14 seasons under his belt. That's no small feat. It meant, though, that we got a chance in the playoffs to see what the Celts look like when Dude finally hangs 'em up. It's not quite as pretty as Bostonites would hope. Sure, Rondo looks solid. And then there's what? Big Baby? You just lost Leon Powe. For what it's worth, Minny is my favorite dark horse for break out season, though Rambis is kind of the quiet X-factor there, and you oftentimes want those to be loud...That's the last comparison you have to put up with, I promise.

76076011LB027_Boston_Celtic, originally uploaded by designdp.

But this isn't supposed to be about the collective fate of all those concerned with Celtics basketball, it's supposed to be about Garnett. Why does he get the double digit treatment in this run down? He's been one of the most prolific players in recent history, and when healthy, still extremely productive. Health is sadly still the question. It's unclear what's going on in Celtics camp, but that's par for the preseason course. The point is, we don't know if Garnett's going to make it through the season. That doesn't help his cause. Talk ineffables. The scary thing is, Garnett's almost become the thing he seemed scared Boston would treat him as before Jesus Shuttleworth came to town and Garnett figured it'd be all right. He's become a youtube verifiable mad man. He's been overwhelmingly accepted by the Boston community, and with that and the title out of the way, he's seemed to let all the beasts out. He hasn't ranted so much, but there's been a whole lot of raving. Um, I'm going to move on, before this gets questionable.

Let's, again, look at the point of this iceberg. Ineffably, Garnett has become an unstable locker room presence. It can't be good for a team, and thus it drops him. Case in point, peep the chewing out of Big Baby. Maybe Davis deserved it. Still, it's not exactly exemplar leadership. Let's just thank our stars and garters Pierce is still on that team. That's all I have to say about that.

Catador de recicláveis/Recyclables collector, originally uploaded by renatotarga.

Last thing. Garnett has become replaceable. The guys above him on this list, I gotta think they all do more positive things for a team. I would almost claim some of the guys below him could have more of an impact this season than KG. For example, Andrew Bynum could easily switch places with KG over the course of this season. I actually have a whole slew of reservations about Bynum at this point, but I promised I wouldn't compare KG to the other guy I wanted to use in this instance, so I went with Bynum. Hollinger actually rated Bynum as likely eighth most impactful this season. That's right, eighth! That's one above where KG was last year on my list. And the guy I'm not comparing KG to? Dude is sixth. Not that I buy into Hollinger completely, but it's still a mark for the new school, and a sign that guys like KG could be on their way down and out (on lists like these, not in life, mind you, I hope, I hope). Still, KG gets the benefit of the doubt for now, especially as he can come back this season and continue to be a force on defense. Despite it all, he was still second in the league in defensive rating last season.

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NBA Off Season Rankings (11-20)

Hit ya up with a little eleven through twenty, yah? These are the teams that represent an admixture of positives and negatives. Some didn't have too many new negatives, but there are just so many lingering from last season. To the list!

11. Houston Rockets: So they lost Yao Ming, and there were scares that it would be permanently. These things happen. All in all, the Rockets made what they could out of a less than positive situation. They picked up Trevor Ariza and let head cases Ron Artest and Von Wafer walk. Perhaps they’re less talented now, but good news will hopefully be just around the bend. There are rumors T-Mac will be back and not in any shadowy echo of himself either. Keep in mind it’s a contract year for Tracy. I also have a feeling they’re still trying to land Marcin Gortat, and the center they’ve already brought in David Andersen could be a ringer in disguise. Besides, any off season that brings you Pops Mensah-Bonsu is a good one.

12. New Orleans Hornets: Emeka Okafor should fit in well with this team. He’s conscious enough for Chris Paul to use ably, and rather seems suited to the quiet fire CP3, Byron Scott, and David West radiate from down in the bayou. I really wish this team would break through, but look for them to struggle into the playoffs once again. Maybe Scott’s job will actually be at risk like the Sports Guy has been intimating for about a year (LINK?).

13. Charlotte Bobcats: Tyson Chandler makes this team interesting, and could draw a larger crowd if he makes good on some alley-oops with the ‘Cats host of middling young guards. This season really depends on Larry Brown’s management skills. I predict a bespectacled exodus around game 40.

Washington Wizards B-Ball Game, originally uploaded by ellievanhoutte.

14. Washington Wizards: A relatively quiet summer for the Wizards, but they got their work done early. The Wiz traded for Randy Foye and Mike Miller and lost precious little. Foye will be a nice injection of youth. This team can challenge the best teams in the East if they’re healthy, and Miller could be a missing piece if this team proves it can still contend. Let’s hope they’ve been using the quiet summer to get all the way healthy.

15. Oklahoma City Thunder: They got James Harden in the draft, and beyond that pretty much stayed pat. Etan Thomas will educate the kiddies. The real issue is Russell Westbrook angling for the team not to take Ricky Rubio with the 3rd pick. Can you imagine Rubio and Durant on the same team? The Beastie Boys would have to cut a new album just to redefine the meaning of “ill.” Think of the commercial possibilities! But I guess Westbrook is becoming the Mo Williams of the South-West. He’s the number two bullet in the gun, dammit! And you will respect and recognize him as such!

16. Indiana Pacers: It seems like the Pacers are spinning their wheels a bit. Bird says they’re waiting for a big star to come around and take this team solidly into contention. I don’t know when or why that would ever happen. This was a scrappy team last year, and it’ll continue to be so this year. Don’t expect them to make the playoffs though, even though they acquired Tyler Hansbrough, Dahntay Jones, and Earl Watson. Actually, I take that back. I’m shaking in my boots. They did get rid of Jamaal Tinsley, which they’ve been trying to do for years.

IMG_0116, originally uploaded by jrkff8.

17. Denver Nuggets: They could’ve done better, sure, but they kept some important pieces (namely Chris Andersen, but also Anthony Carter is nice too), so the off-season wasn’t exactly a bust, and Ty Lawson could be the steal of the draft. Still, losing Linas Kleiza hurts, and Dahntay Jones’ departure doesn’t help. Malik Allen and Arron Afflalo won’t make up for that production. Denver seems to be saying they were close enough last season, but can they really push the Lakers without having made any changes?

18. Minnesota Timberwolves: For all the headlines, the team didn’t make much of a splash this off season. Jonny Flynn will have his moments, and it’s kind of nice he doesn’t have to worry about Ricky Rubio, but the Wolves are still fairly thin across the board. Sessions looks to be slotted in next to Flynn in the starting lineup, which will be a nice experiment for the two young guards, but it’s not a lasting solution. The real question is did the off season allow Al Jefferson to get physically prepared for a return to action? Here’s hoping Kurt Rambis gets a few wins in what will probably be a difficult year.

19. Sacramento Kings: Tyreke Evans will be a stud. That much, I think, is clear. The Kings didn’t do much else this off season – they acquired Sean May and Sergio Rodriguez – and they desperately need to. We'll see if the Paul Westphal signing does anything.

paul westphal, originally uploaded by bballchico.

20. Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Jennings could be a special player, but besides that Milwaukee just lost too many bodies this summer to look like anything serious this season. They picked up Roko Ukic. Okay. The re-signed Ersan Ilyasova. Um, what? Is Scott Skiles still the coach here? I give him 25 games.

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Carter Gets a Career Boost

In February, a trade sending Vince Carter to the Spurs was rumored. Instead, the Spurs traded for Richard Jefferson earlier this week. With today's trade to the Orlando Magic, Carter avoids becoming next on the long list of vets on their last legs brought in to help the Spurs. This list includes Michael Finley (the most successful), Brent Barry, Nick Van Exel, Robert Horry, Damon Stoudamire, Kurt Thomas, Austin Croshere, and even Drew Gooden (admittedly not on his last legs quite yet). Seriously San Anton, who's next? Allen Iverson? Rasheed Wallace? Do they get a pension with that retirement plan? Furthermore, Half-Man Half-Amazing also trumps Shaq's move to become the big name vet bettering his situation this summer, even if it is only a one year hire. You gotta think Vince to Orlando is more promising than Diesel to Cleveland. The only question is what happens to Hedo now? And what is Minny doing with all those point guards?

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Today's Moment of Zen: "Play of the Decade"

Ah, 1994. The memories seem to fly back to everyone who lived in it. There was a time before Kevin Garnett that the Minnesota Timberwolves had a slam dunk champion and budding star in Isaiah "J.R." Rider.

However his most memorable play came from a regular season game against the Sacramento Kings when he took a pass that was overthrown, and threw the ball behind his head for a three point shot.

Hey look, an Olden Polynice sighting.

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Kevin McHale head coach > Kevin McHale GM

Just when you thought it was safe to be not fired from the NBA coaching ranks, it happens. With three NBA coaches already out the door, the Minnesota Timberwolves have fired head coach Randy Wittman and replaced him with general manager Kevin McHale.

Confused? Honestly, I am as well. Wittman had a 38-105 record as the Minnesota Timberwolves head coach but it wouldn’t be fair to judge a coach whose best player through two seasons was Al Jefferson.

McHale took over for fired head coach Flip Saunders in 2004 and recorded a 19-12 as an interim coach. He will take over a team with a total of four wins. (In most years this would be last but the Oklahoma City Thunder just came into existence.)

McHale is noted for his trade of Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics to create the Boston three-party, the trade of Cassel to the Los Angeles Clippers, and the draft day trade fiascos. (Trading away Brandon Roy for Randy Foye and OJ Mayo for Kevin Love) He might be the Matt Millen of the NBA except for Elgin Baylor but since he retired, McHale held that title for this season at least.

Hopefully Minnesota will dig themselves out of the bottom of the barrel eventually (with four possible draft pick in the 2009 draft, they could.)Maybe Matt Millen, should have tried his hands at the coaching the Lions after all.

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