| Free KG Authored by Holly Bromeland - August 15, 2006 - 4:12 pm
| Current Featured Columns | | Final Thoughts On The 2008 NBA Draft This year's draft was decidedly more calm and casual than the Oden/Durant showdown, which made for a more candid and personal experience.
Grading The Deal: Knicks Sign DuhonThe Knicks overpaid for a below average starting point guard, but the move should still pay dividends.
 |
Oh Danny Boy
Danny Granger, who has just three years of NBA experience under his belt, will undoubtedly be the man in Indiana beginning this summer.
|
 |
$10 Million For Five Players?
The Orlando Magic will be limited by the NBA's Luxury Tax in terms of filling the remaining spots on their roster. It is also possible it could cost them Keyon Dooling or Maurice Evans.
|
 |
Raptorland’s New Carnivore
The Raptors are bringing in a player who will have an immediate impact (unlike Hibbert or whomever the Raptors would’ve drafted at 17), plays a position of need (unlike Ford,) and carries a reputation of intimidation (unlike Nesterovic).
|
|
More from RealGM's Columnists
|
| |
In 1995, the T-Wolves drafted a gem of a player in Kevin Garnett. He has blossomed from a raw rookie fresh out of high school to an MVP caliber player. KG’s resume speaks for itself: 03-04 Most Valuable Player, six time first all NBA team, six time all defensive team, an eight time all-star, all star MVP in 03, and gold medal winner as part the 00 Olympic team. Not to mention the career stats of 20.4 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.7 blks, and 1.4 steals. Those are just the things he has managed to do on the court. Off the court he is a true class act as well and was even rewarded the 05-06 the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship award. His versatility and athleticism make it possible for him to play nearly all five positions. KG is hands down one of the top players I the league.
One major thing is missing from KG’s resume; an NBA championship. Everybody has got an answer why Garnett hasn’t reached the promise land. Some say he isn’t enough of a leader. Others say he doesn’t make the players around him better. All these are arguable points, but perhaps the most pressing reasons is that management has failed to put together a team around them that can contend. One man cannot win a battle on his own. Look at how well Kobe has done without Shaq. Tim Duncan has only won his rings with the help of David Robinson and/or Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker. The closet KG came to the promise land was the Western Conference Finals in 2004. That was with the help of Sam Cassell and Latrell Spreewell. This was perhaps the best supporting cast the Kevin McHale ever gave KG. Kevin McHale was barely able to hold that team together for two years.
The latest fast tracked rebuilding scheme has been drafting Randy Foye and using the mid-level exemption to sign journey man Mike James. Foye is a solid draft choice. He will be able to help out right away, but he is years from hitting his prime. Mike James had a heck of a year last in 05-06, but, I still feel he is best suited for a sixth man burst of energy off the bench. Yes, the T-wolves are better then last year, but no they aren’t going to be contenders. With the improvements made by the Hornets, Lakers, and not to mention a healthier Houston Rockets, the T-wolves will be hard pressed to make it to the playoffs next year. KG isn’t just looking for a trip to the first round anymore, he yearns for a championship. In a recent interview with Slam Magazine, KG expressed his dissatisfaction with the recent moves of the T-Wolves and his desire for a championship. When asked if he would leave the T-Wolves if the team didn’t improve, he stated "I got to...If you’re not working towards a championship, then why are we in this? I’m in it to win, man, I’m not in it to be coming back talking about next year. I’m 30. I’ve probably got 4 to 5 years, you know what I’m saying? My clock is ticking, man. I’m almost like a woman who’s trying to get pregnant. My years are limited, so my clock is definitely ticking."
KG’s “sota for life stance” is slowly turning into so long sota. The T-wolves organization needs to seriously consider trading him in effort to rebuild. Although it will be impossible to get an equal piece in return for KG. Next year’s draft is very strong and if they received an offer filled with a high pick and some expiring contracts or promising young player it would be a good time to rebuild around Randy Foye. KG has always done right by the T-Wolves organization. Now it time for management to do right by him by trading him to a contender and setting him free. |
