Some of you may recollect those Nike "fun police" ads, in which a young Kevin Garnett mocked the NBA's crackdown on all things expressive. Well, it looks like The Ticket has grown more conservative with age. According to the
Star Tribune, KG was not into Arenas's celebration in Seattle last Wednesday. Recap: following his
game-winner, Gil took off his jersey and laid in flat at the three-point line:
"That's pretty insulting. There are just certain standards, man. You can hit shots and, y'know what, 'I'm good, you're good, you hit a shot,' it's cool. But that's like T.O. going to the star."
It's interesting, if distressing, to think that
our beloved Gilbert could be verging on Owens territory. Garnett seemed to back off that a little and look at the big picture:
Then the Wolves star went elder statesman: "Hey, it's a young league right now. These young boys feel like they can do that, and until you do something about it, that's just what it is."
The article also notes that Areans himself admitted he probably should have saved it for a home game. All regrets aside, though, there's a world of difference between players enjoying themselves and trying to humiliate the home team. Garnett may be showing his age, but he's also flexing that wisdom that's made him so respected around the league (if not
in his own locker room).
