Garnett: "I'm not finna sleep all week"

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Although the now-'certified' Kevin Garnett was wildin' out, he managed to use his classic line: 'Michelle, you look good tonight, girl.'

KG...our guy!

Bostowned!

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Lamar Odom couldn't get a break against the NBA's best defensive player.

"Mama, there goes that man!"

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As the Celtics blow-out the Lakers in the first half, Kevin Garnett conjures two words to the fore: Lamar Own-dom.

Pau Gasol gets his revenge

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The Lakers made a point to get their star center involved early...and Pau Gasol tore the house on Kevin Garnett.

Jason Maxiell eats Celtic babies!

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The last Piston big to come off the bench and play this well against the Celtics was none other than Dennis Rodman.

Cleveland fans chant "BOS-TON SUCKS!"

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There's no question about it, the Celtics do suck on the road this post-season.

Note to TNT: Don't slow-mo Garnett

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TNT not-so subtley captures Kevin Garnett saying: "F***ing ******ts."

LeBron to Mom: "Sit yo *$*% down"

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This intrepid woman trying to get in the scrum is LeBron James' mother Gloria.

Kevin Garnett's got some PG in him

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Not sure who deserves more credit: Garnett for the ridiculous behind-the-back pass or Leon Powe for the wherewithal to catch it before ricocheting off his dome.

Kevin Garnett drops Zaza Pachulia

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Note to Zaza: Look where you're running...KG's a wall.

Kevin Garnett: everything isn't "peaches 'n cream"

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Boston Celtic Kevin Garnett says that although he and his teammates have disagreements and everything isn't always "peaches and cream," they're as focused on winning as ever.

Garnett takes the high road over Glen Taylor

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After beating down the League's hottest team, Kevin Garnett beats down the comments of his former GM Glen Taylor.

Horry, Spurs try flustering Celtics

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Sean Elliott says this is a good play by Robert Horry. Still, Horry at least could have asked nicely before pushing.

Garnett, LeBron All-Star Interview

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Kevin Garnett and LeBron James sit down with Craig Sager during the Rookie/Sophomore Game in new Orleans.

Daily Dime reactions

I tend to agree that Paul is the MVP. You look at what he's done with his team this year, now that he's fully healthy, and you see the tremendous impact he's had. A huge win against the defending champions last night also is telling. The difference between Paul and Garnett is the caliber of team on which they play. The Cs have two other HOF players, the Hornets...none.

LBJ's stats are the best in the League, no doubt. But, yeah, somehow a team's record plays a immeasurable bias in the MVP voting. I totally agree with your assessment that the Cavs need to be first in their division (or at least a close second behind the Pistons) for LeBron to merit any sort of consideration for the award. It's just interesting to see how much record plays a part, especially when one's opinion about it can be so subjective.

***

Garnett's production is still the same. He's just playing less minutes...which lowers his overall numbers. Yet, he's still deadly effective when on the court.

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Dirk and Mavs won 67 games. C'mon now...and Nowitzki was playing lights out all seasons long. He was thrown into an early season funk premeditated by his offseason sabbatical and lack of training.

The Celtics are on a similar pace this year. KG clearly is the difference maker and should win the award if the current trends continue. I think Paul's still too young to win the award. I know it's trite to say, but age also seems to play a role -- whether a cat's earned his stripes long enough.

The Cavs need to land a fourth or fifth seed this season, otherwise they have no hope of playing the Celtics for rights in the East. If the Cavs land a sixth of seventh spot (which they probably will), they've got no chance beating Orlando and Detroit to get to Boston in the Eastern conference finals. No chance whatsoever.

***

I feel like you all are hating on some of the best players to ever play the game -- Kobe, KG, Dirk? Wow.

For one thing, I'd much rather put the ball in any of their hands than Paul or LeBron at the end of a game because of their massive experience. They all know how to get to the line in those situations and stop the clock. You need to look at their ability to lock it down and Odenize themselves at the times of extreme pressure.

LBJ and CP3 have not proved their ability to Odenize and make the right play when it really comes down to it. They haven't learned how to lead a team with their heart and sole.

***

If the Lakers do NOT fade, and play over .500 ball, then there's no question Kobe's the League's most valuable, regardless of how many shots he puts up and how well he shoots. A team without key cogs Ariza and Bynum is nothing, and to carry that on your back for two months is Atlas-esque.

***

The only thing the Lakers were predicted to do was trade Kobe to the Chi or trade Bynum to the Nets. Somehow they didn't do either, and overcame all the diversity to become an elite team. What a story. You have to recognize this with an award for Kobe, who was the key person in the 180 turnaround.

***

The MVP this season may be the most debated selection in recent history. That said, there's still a half a season to consider after this. How players' team's perform will without doubt play a large role.

That said, here's who I project to be the top three MVP candidates at the season's end: 1) KG, 2) Kobe, 3) Paul

I'm not trying to diminish LeBron's game in any way. I'm just saying that playing .540 ball in the East is not good enough.

***

Yes, I think the big three really play as a unit -- helping each other out and complimenting each other's game. Still, Garnett is the piece that makes it all work. There's no saying how good the team would be without Garnett (because they theoretically would still have Ryan Gomes and Al Jefferson...and Gerald Green...and Sebastian Telfair), but I'd wager it wouldn't be anywhere near 60-65 wins at the end of the season.

Garnett's the key to the Celtic's resurgent season. That's why he's the MVP.

***

I'd totally disagree about the career achievement. Steve Nash, when he won his first MVP, was an All-Star, but certainly not deserving of the League's best player award in Dallas. He came into his own when he signed with Phoenix, and the NBA rewarded him for his spectacular performance during those seasons.

On the other hand, I do think a player needs to have played at least a couple years in the League before he wins the MVP. I can't think of an MVP in recent times who's won an the award in his first three seasons. Or am I wrong? I think you have to earn your stripes in the NBA before you can be seriously considered for the award. That's why Paul's not winning anything but an First Team selection this season...which is no chump change by any means.

***

Not only are the starters in New Orleans playing more minutes than other teams, they're also young. There's two things going on here, in my mind: 1) They're young and they can handle the burn, and 2) They're young and don't have the experience to "pace" themselves for when it comes playoff time.

It's a long season and I definitely agree that the Hornets most likely will not make it to even the Western Conference Finals. However, if they do make it that far, I'll be leading the NOH bandwagon with the rest of Bayou.

***

The younger a player is, the less likely he'll be given the reigns to a team. The only exceptions would be poor, rebuilding teams who have no other choice but to let their young guns play (I.e. Seattle this season).

However, in those instances, when a young player is a main option, only very rarely will that team also be also a factor in the playoff picture. Most of the time, these young teams don't even make the playoffs.

***

If teams are blowing people out the majority of the time (Hornets recently, Celtics not so recently), there's no need to "close out" teams. I guess being a good closer implies that you're not doing enough during the first three quarters to be comfortable going into the final period.

***

Howard and Paul are different. Paul's a small guard and very prone to injury. Whereas, Howard is about one of the League's biggest (most muscular) players in the NBA. Howard's never missed a game in his career. Not only that, but he's played one year longer.

***

Sometimes I get caught up looking to the numbers for answers to these questions. Still, nothing substitutes for watching a player play the game to really assess how valuable he is.

Garnett injury 01/25/2008

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A look at a possible Kevin Garnett injury in tonight's game.

This from a report in the Toronto Star:

"It felt like I got sniped from the rafters or something," Garnett said. "I just had a sharp pain come from my stomach and I just wanted the doctors to look at it. They looked at it and said I was fine, so I came back out.''

The doctor said Garnett could go back in, but the trainer said no, Celtics coach Doc Rivers said, holding one thumb up and one thumb down. Eventually, Garnett begged his way back on to the court."

While it could have been a bad cramp, the sideline reporter said Garnett went "onto one knee for about a minute before preceding into the locker room." This was a very painful thing for Garnett. Hopefully, it won't turn into something lingering.

Have the C's gone to great lengths to conceal pain in their fearless leader? Is this a reoccurring problem for Garnett that's been pushed under the table?

It's quite certain Garnett has been getting less minutes this year. Might it be to save his ailing health?

Well, probably not, but it's fun to guess.

Al Jefferson: What's PF mean?

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Al Jefferson doesn't understand the stats sheet. This may explain why he never gave college a second thought.

Tough loss for the Wolves, who have been playing far better than their 35 losses might dictate. KG, Ryan Gomes, Jeff, and dunk contestant Gerald Green all seemed to enjoy themselves. How can you not when the Garden has the revived atmosphere that it has this season?

We're just really glad Kendrick Perkins was kind enough to divulge this great Al Jefferson moment...at Jefferson's behest, of course.