I Said It Before...

And I will say it again, Kevin Garnett gets away with too much. Why won't anyone step up and criticize this dude?

Because he is "intense?" Because he is a "warrior?"

Who cares. There are plenty of guys in the league that play their hearts out every night.

Jose Calderon is not a trash-talking kind of player, yet, Garnett decides to disrespectfully get in his face. Calderon is a Spaniard, the only controversial things they do is make Chinese eye gestures. I am glad Calderon talked trash after passing for an assist, however, it would have been sweeter to see him chuck the ball in Garnett's alien-esque face.

One day, when the refs and the NBA stop kissing his ass, Garnett will cost his team a pivotal game due to his "intensity" on the court. And I will be laughing during the whole scene ... sans the snaggle teeth that home-dude rocks.

Kirsten Dunst called, she wants her grill back.

Kevin Garnett: Overrated?

The past couple of days the idea has been kicked around on whether to put this post up or not.

But it was decided to post it after seeing a glorified picture of Kevin Garnett up on ESPN following the Boston Celtics game 5 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

How was Garnett allowed to even participate in that game? More on that later...

Garnett is in his thirteenth year in the NBA and has treated NBA fans, specifically Minnesota and now Boston with nothing but passion for the game. His heart and talent is unquestioned in that sense.

What is being questioned is his ability to win when the odds are against him ... when the fire is ablaze.

Why does he get a pass? Because he plays like a warrior?
The media rips, and holds other stars accountable for never winning a championship, yet turn their cheek when talking about Garnett.

And really, I do not think he has what it takes to take a team to that "next level."
A great talent he truly is, but he has never taken a team as far as his heart would like ... granted, he only had two opportunities in Minnesota to do so due to the lack of talent around him.

But what has to be recognized is that he shies away when presented with pressure and gets too emotional on the floor, losing his focus in the process.

Garnett is hiding behind something when he does a primal scream on the court. He is making us try to forget that he has not won a ring when he pumps his chest repeatedly with a snarl on his face.

Some superstars keep their calm in a storm. Others fight, claw and lose their cool. Garnett chooses the latter.

Take for example the incident in game 4 of this year's first round:


He does know that he is fighting with Zach Pachulia, right? Why would he throw an elbow after the play was dead? And Garnett started to get "crazy" after being pulled away from the ruckus. For what? To pump up his teammates?

All that did was encourage his actions. And speaking of his actions, how he did not get suspended is beyond me.

Well, I do know how he did not get suspended: his name and reputation.

No way does Ron Artest, Rasheed Wallace, or even Kobe Bryant get away with pushing a referee away that is trying to calm them down.

When he had Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell on the Timberwolves he was the third option when it came to fourth quarter shots. Instead of banging in the paint Garnett was, and is, taking jump shots.

Garnett is not on the level of Bryant, LeBron James, or Karl Malone. And I mentioned Malone for a specific reason, he never won a ring as the model power forward. But Malone could blame #23 from preventing him from getting that ring (and the Detroit Pistons and a bum knee in 2004).

What Malone did do was hit his jumpers and bang in the paint ... along with carrying the team. He was the first option, John Stockton being the second.

Unless Garnett checks his emotions, he will always be a player considered a superstar and with numbers to back it, but one that let his feelings spill too much onto the hardwood - killing the chance for him, and those around him, to get that elusive ring.

And by the way ... it will not be happening with Boston anytime soon.

Happy Hump Day

So I started a new job last week, and to my surprise, no one told me, "happy hump day". I do not know if that is a good or bad thing.

I think the most someone knows about me is that I like the Lakers, and that is because I freaked about Kareem Abdul Jabbar having an office at our building.

Anyway, this week I bring you Brandi Padilla, wife of Boston Celtics star Kevin Garnett. Pretty, pretty girl.

And no, I do not hate Garnett, but his alien head took away from her pretty face in the picture. He is a baller though, and will be in the finals like I predicted. He deserves it, and his wife deserves some camera time on national TV.

Happy Wednesday.

NBA Preview/Predictions

The National Basketball Association is set to begin play today with three games scheduled, including my favorite love-hate player, Kobe Bean Bryant in action (hopefully) against the Houston Rockets.

Divisional outlook according to First To Third L.J.:

Atlantic: Boston, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto

Top dog: Boston
Golden retrievers: New Jersey, Toronto, New York
Love Park lovable loser: Philadelphia

This has been one of the weakest divisions in basketball the last couple of years but now has a new triple threat in Boston with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

Philadelphia is still several years away from competing and we never know what we are going to get out of New Jersey. Although I think they addressed a glaring need in the center position by signing Jamaal Magloire.

I like the Knicks roster (maybe I am biased because I grew up following the Knicks as my East Coast team), but with Isiah Thomas at the helm I never will bank on them going far.

Toronto will be second or third in the division behind Chris Bosh and one of my personal favorites, TJ Ford. Carlos Delfino is a big pickup for the Raptors and cannot wait to see what he does with more playing time.

And to the new three-headed monster... I do not want to see Boston rise to NBA glory again because I am a Lakers fan and do not want them to raise another banner. This Celtics team is deeper than people are going to give them credit for, and could possibly get a nice addition in Juwan Howard in the next couple of weeks. Allen does not get as much love as he deserves... Pierce will play better with less work on his shoulders... and Garnett will be Garnett like always.

Celtics taking the division.

Central: Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Indiana, Milwaukee
My favorite division in the East this year.

The obvious culprits: Chicago, Detroit
Hanging tough: Cleveland
Outside looking in: Indiana, Milwaukee

Chicago's young Bulls are gaining experience as each year passes, and will be more dangerous this year. But, if the rumors are true and they trade for Kobe Bryant, things may be different for them. If they do make the trade, it will all depend on who they send to the Lakers. No matter what, Kobe in the East will make this Bulls team a contender.

Detroit is solid with a deep bench and veteran leadership. They will always be contending in the East as long as they have Richard Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, and Rasheed Wallace. And you cannot forget about my boy Arron Afflalo. He is a baller.

Indiana and Milwaukee are in the developing stages. I look at the Pacers as the Golden State Warriors of the East. They can run on opponents. I hope Mo Williams was not working for a contract last year and continues his strong play of yesteryear.

Now Cleveland you ask? Why are they hanging tough? Them being the defending Eastern Conference champions. I do not like the supporting cast of Lebron James. His team is essentially the Lakers of the East. Chicago and Detroit are better.

Pistons taking the division.

Southeast: Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Orlando, Washington

Head of the beer: Washington
Couple of sips behind: Orlando, Miami
Improved with age: Atlanta
Bottom of the barrell: Charlotte

Washington is the easy pick, especially with Shaq getting older, and Wade still recovering from surgery. The Wizards are returning most of their squad and will be at the top as long as they stay healthy.

Orlando is the sexy pick. Dwight Howard is a beast, the next coming of Shaq, and Jameer Nelson should have a good contract year. Stan Van Gundy was the perfect selection to be their coach.

Like I said, with Shaq getting up there in years and Wade not 100%, it is going to be hard to see these guys as a contender. It is not going to be fun for them to fight their way back into the Eastern conference race after a slow start.

Atlanta will be better this year as their young players will make improvements. Watch out for Acie Law, another baller made for the NBA. Good draft by the Hawks.

Charlotte gets hurt too much and that is why they are at the bottom of the division.

Wizards taking the division.

Northwest: Denver, Minnesota, Portland, Seattle, Utah

Belvedere vodka: Denver, Utah
Smirnoff: Portland, Seattle
Popov: Minnesota

Denver can easily take this division if they get a healthy Kenyon Martin for at least 70 games. If not, AI and Carmelo will be able to handle the load.

The Jazz are coming off a very successful season, but have a unhappy AK. As long as they have Boozer and Williams these guys will be fine.

Portland has been hit by the injury bug already and are looking forward to next year, when they will see Greg Oden for the first time. Darius Miles and Oden to become best friends on the bench.

This year will be Kevin Durant's year to shine. He will be the man in Seattle but they will not go far with the squad they have.

The first year without KG will be a long one for the Wolves, but have some young, exciting players. Al Jefferson hopefully will get more love this year, he is the real deal.

Denver taking the division.

Pacific: Golden State, LAC, LAL, Phoenix, Sacramento

Newcastle ale: Phoenix
Bass ale: Golden State, LAL (with Kobe)
Bud Light: LAC, Sacramento

Phoenix are the obvious favorites in this division with Nash, Stoudemire, and Marion ready to get deeper into the playoffs.

The Warriors had a great run last year, and will no longer be in the sleeper role. They play fun basketball to watch and will get more exposure this year. Baron Davis is a baller.

The Lakers season will rest on whether Kobe is traded or not. If they trade Kobe, the team will be fourth or fifth in the division, and will not make the playoffs. With him, they are second or third in the division with a seventh or eighth seed in the West. The drama will no doubt unfold. Bynum is going to have a good year if Jackson gives him the bulk of the minutes at center.

Los Angeles' other team has a hurt Brand, likely out until after the all-star break, and older point guards. The Clippers will once again be Staple Center's second best team.

Sacramento's rookie coach, Reggie Theus, has to resolve a bad relationship between two of their best players in Mike Bibby and Ron Artest. Brad Miller needs to lose the cornrows. Kevin Martin cannot carry this squad.

Suns taking the division.

Southwest: Dallas, Houston, Memphis, New Orleans, San Antonio

Johnnie Walker Blue Label: San Antonio, Dallas
Johnnie Walker Gold Label: Houston
Johnnie Walker Black Label: New Orleans
Johnnie Walker Red Label: Memphis

I could have put Houston in the Blue Label status with San Antonio and Dallas, but refrained from doing so because T-Mac and Yao have not made it past the first round of the playoffs. But they made some nice additions and think Adelman will do better with this squad than Van Gundy did.

Going into the season, the defending champion Spurs are the obvious favorite to get back to the finals out of the West. Nothing more to say about them, except their winning is boring. But they are good, really good.

Dallas, we will see how they react to their meltdown in last year's playoffs, and their yearly disappointments in the playoffs. This will be a big test for Dirk, who spent the summer searching for answers and not shaving.

Memphis has some good young players, but are a couple of years away from a playoff berth especially being in a tough division. Might sneak in next year as an eighth seed though.

The Hornets will be in New Orleans full-time and will be in the playoff hunt at the end of the season. Chris Paul is worth the price of admission and has good shooters to get the ball to in Peja and Mo Pete.

Spurs taking the division.

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West champ: Phoenix Suns
East champ: Boston Celtics

NBA Champ: Phoenix Suns

Awards:
Rookie of the year: Al Horford
Most improved: Andrew Bynum
Sixth man of the year: Leandro Barbosa
Scoring champ: Gilbert Arenas
Defensive player of the year: Marcus Camby
MVP: Kobe Bryant (no matter where he plays)

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Final note: Will someone pick up Earl Boykins?!?! The NBA is not the same without the most exciting player in the game! I will be making a petition that the Lakers sign him.