It wasn't all that long ago that Kevin Garnett made headlines for his 2005 interview with John Thompson. Garnett's Timberwolves had been losing games badly, and Thompson wanted to get KG's feelings about playing on a team with no shot at winning a title.
No, Garnett didn't go on a profanity-laden rant, or demand to be traded, or cut down his teammates like many superstar athletes are prone to doing when things aren't going their way. Instead, Kevin Garnett cried.
No, Garnett didn't go on a profanity-laden rant, or demand to be traded, or cut down his teammates like many superstar athletes are prone to doing when things aren't going their way. Instead, Kevin Garnett cried.
Keep in mind that the previous season Garnett had been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player, and had come within a Sam Cassell injury of going all the way to the NBA Finals. He is one of greatest players of all time, and has the respect and admiration of millions. Despite all of this success, on a nationally televised interview, Kevin Garnett cried.
The Timberwolves had started falling apart, and slipping back into mediocrity after coming so close to the title just one season earlier was too much for Kevin to take. His interview with John Thompson gave him an opportunity to let everyone know what he was really feeling. As the conversation went on Thompson became less and less of a reporter and more of a father figure, talking the passionate star through what would become the interview that defined him not only as a player but as a person as well.
Garnett, in an attempt to explain his emotions, told John Thompson that "...these are tears of pain". "Tears of pride, too.", Thompson added with his baritone, grandfatherly voice.
Garnett, in an attempt to explain his emotions, told John Thompson that "...these are tears of pain". "Tears of pride, too.", Thompson added with his baritone, grandfatherly voice.
Flash forward to present day. Garnett's stats are down across the board. He averages 4 less minutes per game. He is not the first and only option on offense. And with his new club, the Celtics, sitting at 23 wins and just 3 losses, Kevin Garnett can't stop smiling.
Boston is poised to make a serious run at an NBA Championship this season, with their Big 3 of Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen leading the way. Yes, that's more talent playing alongside KG than he ever had in Minnesota, but that's not the secret to the Celtics success. In fact, talent has very little to do with it. Instead, it's pride that is fueling Boston these days. Pride that comes from having a leader so committed to winning that losing brings him to tears.
Every team in the NBA has talent. Sure, some have more than others, but the league is filled with professional athletes who have the ability to play the game of basketball at incredibly high levels. But to find success in the NBA, to win a championship, it takes something more than just talent.
What makes them truly special is that desire, drive, passion, whatever you want to call it. Sometimes one player's passion is too strong, too much for a team to take, and everything falls apart. But every once in awhile, the right mix comes along, and that passion spreads like wildfire. Mediocre players rise up to be part of something bigger, confidence grows, and individual talents blend seamlessly into the greater whole.
What makes them truly special is that desire, drive, passion, whatever you want to call it. Sometimes one player's passion is too strong, too much for a team to take, and everything falls apart. But every once in awhile, the right mix comes along, and that passion spreads like wildfire. Mediocre players rise up to be part of something bigger, confidence grows, and individual talents blend seamlessly into the greater whole.
Jordan had that passion, and through him so did the Bulls. Magic Johnson had it, and through him so did the Lakers. Kevin Garnett has it, and through him so do the Celtics.
The season is far from over, but the Celtics look poised to make a serious run at an NBA championship. Kevin Garnett, despite his slipping numbers, is considered one of the front runners to win the league MVP award. Not that it matters to him.
During that classic interview John Thompson reminded Kevin of all his personal achievements and accolades, as though they would cheer up the somber star. In a shaking, raspy voice Garnett responded, "...It ain't about me, it's about us." Finally, he has a team that believes it, a team to be proud of.
Tags: Kevin Garnett,Boston Celtics,John Thompson
