Sports Talk with MC

by MC

No, I’m not about to talk about the television program “Wolf Lake” starring Fil-AM actor Lou Diamond Philips.

 What I am out to discuss, however, is the future of one of the NBA’s best in Kevin Garnett, seen left, with as intense a game face as any. Is the Big Ticket bound for another squad after over a decade wrecking havoc in the Target Center? The prospect of KG leaving Minny has GM’s, coaches, and players everywhere buzzing, even more so than Kobe Bryant leaving LA, I think, from a technical basketball standpoint, that is (sans the showbiz issues).

Yes, Garnett is over 30, but still has much to offer to whomever he is cotnractually bound to. Over the years, he’s been surrounded with supporting casts that either didn’t have the heart (Tom Gugliotta, Ricky Davis, Stephon Marbury, Latrell Sprewell), or the talent (Gary Trent, Troy Hudson, Fred Hoiberg, Rasho Nesterovic), to win in the big time. KG is now at a point in his career wherein he has the prvilege of more or less choosing where he wants to go, that is, if management decides it’s high time to deal the “face” of the Timberwolves franchise. Personally, I think he ought to exercise that power and demand a trade. Whether or not it happens immediately becomes a moot point. Putting the cards on the table would, at least, keep McHale and co. on their toes in Minnesota’s front office.

Where would KG realistically fit in best? Phoenix has made a bid for his services, and the interesting part about a Suns-KG scenario would be the fact that for it to happen, Amare Stoudamire (or Shawn Marion), will probably have to move. Garnett is still an all-star, but wouldn’t it be safer to think long term and stick with the younger Stoudamire, with the fact that Steve Nash is already 33 years of age, in hindsight?

Then there’s the Celtics, who would give up just about anything (seemingly) at this point to get back on the map. Recently, though, it’s been reported that Garnett himself has declined a trade to Boston. I guess the luck of the Irish isn’t that potent after all. Danny Ainge and his boys will have to look for answers elsewhere (Corey Brewer in the draft? Go for it if you can’t trade for a decent veteran!).

Chicago seems to be another prime destination, but get this- any deal involving number 21 will most likely involve Ben Gordon, or Luol Deng. Bulls GM John Paxson could sweeten the pot/lessen the impact of the loss of Deng or Gordon by throwing in Andres Nocioni, but either way, I think that breaking up the nucleus they have down there in the Windy City would be a little bit foolhardy. Then again, the Bulls do need a big man, and a frontline of Wallace, along with Garnett, paired with a Gordon, or Deng, plus Hinrich, and maybe Duhon (or would be rapper Troy Hudson in case he’s packaged along with KG), seems quite a titilating concept, especially in the marshlands that are the Eastern Conference.

Whatever happens to Garnett, he’d better become assertive about it, and fast. Not only is he not getting any younger, the fans down in Minnesota aren’t getting any more patient either, especially after 3 years of postseason drought, along with, well, the knowledge that they have had to constantly deal with patchjob coaching changes, along with the knowledge that at one time, they had Latrell Sprewell on the roster, that is, until he lost his mind.

Shawn Kemp is said to be in shape and available. Now that’s just a side note. I wasn’t expecting it to help any.

Keep an eye on this issue. This man once touted as a “franchise savior” may very well still manage to live up to the hype, but without having assimilate a change in scenery, and maybe (God forbid), even more blows to his already bruised, competitive, ego.

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