ESPN: Is Garnett an All-Time Great?

[ManUp]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uylc-uTDKtU

Skip Bayless is an idiot... that is all.

[CelticConcourse]

Don't even listen to him. Waste of time.

[Boris Badenov]

The fact that Bayless starts out by focusing on KG's offensive abilities proves his ignorance.

KG has a legitimate place in discussions about who is the greatest defensive player in NBA history. I'm not saying I think he is the best, but he is up there. I think his ability to elevate the abilities of those around him on defense is the best in NBA history. (Though, I never saw Russell play.)

Add that to his terrific scoring, rebounding and passing skills, along with his commitment to winning and team play, and you have one of the most complete players on both ends of the floor the league has ever seen.

Silly.

[jdz101]

I saw Stephen A. Smith's face and decided not to click play.

[mgent]

If that's the way you see it then Kevin Garnett IS in fact an all-time great 2 guard in a PF's body.  He'll never be seen an all-time great in the paint, but he was much better than those guys at passing, ball-handling, and jump-shooting.  You play to your strengths.

[ManUp]

IMO, the battle for the title of greatest power forward of all-time is between KG and Duncan. KG in his prime was a monster. 22 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, a block, and a steal nightly (combined with game changing defense). IMO, it doesn't matter how you play the game as long as your effective and KG was pretty [dang] effective.

[timobusa]

If that's the way you see it then Kevin Garnett IS in fact an all-time great 2 guard in a PF's body.  He'll never be seen an all-time great in the paint, but he was much better than those guys at passing, ball-handling, and jump-shooting.  You play to your strengths.

This! I agree that KG is a Big 2 guard. And we look at him and say, wow this guy was made to play basketball. But what most/SKIP doesn't see is that transformation from 2 to 5, not many players can say they have done that heck, he can play the point in his early days. Not many players can guard the 1 to 5 spot exceptionally like KG does.

He was not built to be a 5, but he is playing to his strengths. His intensity and passion and knowledge for the game is unreal. I'd say he is the most versatile player this game has ever seen. He has his own category in the record books for crying out loud.

Started out as a 2, played the 3 in his early years, excelled at the 4, and now finishing his career as a 5. He is an All-Time Great. Period.

[Smutzy#9]

My Reply

Name me another player that has 25000 points 10000 rebounds 5000 assists almost 2000 blocks and over 1000 steals......


OH THATS RIGHT... THERE ISNT ANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Man is in a league of his own.

Factor in the way he makes those around him play harder, and the way he anchors a defence.

You have an all time great there

[raynman]

I saw Stephen A. Smith's face and decided not to click play.

TP, bro! 

[raynman]

My Reply

Name me another player that has 25000 points 10000 rebounds 5000 assists almost 2000 blocks and over 1000 steals......


OH THATS RIGHT... THERE ISNT ANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Man is in a league of his own.

Factor in the way he makes those around him play harder, and the way he anchors a defence.

You have an all time great there

... END OF DISCUSSION!  Skip Bayless can S*** it!

[Celtic Fan Forever]

How Skip Bayless has a job seems to baffle me every time he speaks.

[LooseCannon]

Skip Bayless complains that KG shoots to many jumpers and that bigs should score more of their points in the paint.  I think that one of the great things about KG is that he is a big able to score so many points outside the paint without being an indiscriminate chucker.  He is what I look for in a power forward or center, a great defender who has to be defended out to the perimeter.  He's a better player than someone who would score the same amount of points, but only by posting up and pounding the ball inside and not through a more varied offense.

[Bahku]

I just can give no weight or import to anything Skip "Way-Less" Bayless says ... he's one of those people my minds shuts off every time it hears his voice.

I guess he's allowed an opinion like the rest of us, it's just sad that he's able to spread it around so far-and-wide, (he and Felger should hook up ... two-of-a-kind).

[celticsleyte]

IMO, the battle for the title of greatest power forward of all-time is between KG and Duncan. KG in his prime was a monster. 22 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, a block, and a steal nightly (combined with game changing defense). IMO, it doesn't matter how you play the game as long as your effective and KG was pretty [dang] effective.

The way Kevin McHale is overlooked around here is something else.  He was a great on both ends of the floor and was regularly abusing people before he lost his lift by playing through ridiculous injuries in the playoffs.  He could D up nearly everyone (not so much Kareems sky hook) and score in the post on anybody.

[celticsleyte]

As far as ESPN commentary, of course KG is an all time great.