Kevin Garnett was a basketball unicorn | Greatest Peaks Ep. 11

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Kevin Garnett is often criticized for numerous playoff failures in Minnesota. But how good was he as an individual player? How much value did his size and instincts provide on defense? And were his scoring limitations an Achilles Heel on offense, or did his passing and shooting help make him one of the most impactful players of all-time?
This is the 11th episode in a series on the greatest peaks in NBA history (focusing on 1977-2020), featuring detailed scouting reports and film breakdown on the best players in NBA history at their best, along with analysis of their impact using historical data & stats to size up the highest peaking players ever.
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Book: www.amazon.com/Thinking-Baske...
Podcast: player.fm/series/thinking-bas... or at www.stitcher.com/podcast/ben-...
Website: www.backpicks.com
Twitter: @elgee35
Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.
Stats courtesy:
www.pbpstats.com @bballport
www.basketball-reference.com
stats.nba.com
For more, see the Thinking Basketball stats series: • NBA Stats 101 Series
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Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.
*SERIES MUSIC*
Bames Jond by Mikey Geiger
csus (instrumental)
Hair (fairlight)
Our Imperfect Place by Strength to Last
Lost by Alter Ego
Restless Knight by Greg Collins
Empire Season by Dan Henig
Confronting the Void by Cody Martin
Bloom by Bryant Lowry
Nemesis
#ThinkingBasketball #GreatestPeaks #NBAGoat

[@ThinkingBasketball]

My favorite story that didn't make the final cut: There's an interview where KG's asked about what colleges he considered going to after high school. When asked "why those schools," he starts talking about their defensive philosophies being similar -- "head on a swivel, front the post" stuff. You know, the normal things a high school kid looks for in a college.

[@charl_lee]

KG just saw the game different💯

[@thetrib1]

that's amazing!

[@OjoRojo40]

Somebody forgot he played with Marbury and Sprewell........

[@steelwall4396]

Whatre your thoughts on how KG impacted his teammates through that hot revving engine? I noticed you didn't mention that part but surely it had a massive impact too. Those KG Celtics feel like a March madness Cinderella. Even in blow outs that bench is losing its mind, hustling, and letting Doc run the show

[@briannk3720]

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name. Amen.

[@soogasooga]

If shaq is your only mismatch, then you're a god- level player.

[@guillermovazquez1084]

Yeah basically lol

[@domination4892]

@@guillermovazquez1084 Maybe wilt 🤔🤷‍♂️

[@guillermovazquez1084]

@@domination4892 perhaps, but Wilt wasn't there Shaq was

[@bobbysbluebooster]

Tbf, Shaq was a mismatch problem for everyone

[@brianscalabrine2225]

@@bobbysbluebooster that's the point

[@jjh2920]

KG is generally underrated because his prime years were wasted playing on bad teams. Only when his prime was coming to an end did he actually have a good team around him on the Celtics. If KG was fortunate enough to have a good team aorund him in his prime, he'd most likely have more than one ring and be ranked much higher.

[@SWANK-SAN]

Agreed

[@thomasbrady3827]

Agreed, still worse then Duncan though

[@mrmacross]

If he never blew out his knee, I think he has two or three rings.

[@onlyfacts3178]

his prime years werent spent on bad teams, he HAD a great team when he was winning the MVP..and dont forget that he was getting those MVPS because of the fact that he played on teams that allow him to have those stats..LIKE Kevin LOVE had when he was there..... KG had a few seasons on bad teams like almost everyone in the NBA...

[@mrmacross]

@@onlyfacts3178 As said in the video, he didn't play with great playmakers who could set him up or feed him in the right spots. In his one MVP year, the Wolves were the #1 seed in the West, and when you combine team success like that with Garnett's stats, it's hard not to win over MVP voters.

[@gamemeister27]

His mind was definitely a huge part of his defense. I remember watching 40 year old KG blowing up plays on defense with nothing but intelligence and length.

[@Bankai2169]

This. KG gave 100% effort 100% of the time

[@fhantasm]

40 year old KG also posterized prime Blake Griffin.

[@yd856]

@@fhantasm he got a tech for that lmao.

[@fhantasm]

@@yd856 worth it! KAT was celebrating that shit like as if he dunked on Blake lmao

[@nickdesjardins5987]

It feels like a lot of people forget about basketball IQ when talking about older players like Bird, Bill, KG etc.

[@mojohvncho5418]

As someone who never got to see KG in his prime, i appreciate these videos

[@enaidealukal4105]

Oh man he was such a joy to watch when he was younger, before his knees gave out on him- imagine all the intelligence of old KG, but with legit elite athleticism. He was scary.

[@RobertsLyric]

May I ask how old are you?

[@enaidealukal4105]

@@RobertsLyric 36, I started genuinely watching/following the NBA a couple years after the Timberwolves drafted KG, right around the time he was making the jump from interesting young player to bonafide stud. Best period in Timberwolves history by a mile, was KG's prime.

[@RobertsLyric]

@@enaidealukal4105 oh ok

[@tchalla7828]

I did and boy was it amazing. I still remember him vividly going up against Shaq/Kobe during their heyday, putting up a legendary game 7 performance against the Kings I believe and just being an all-around menace carrying a decent Minnesota team further than they have ever been till this day. A past his prime KG being the linchpin of that dominant 08 Celtic team points to just how many rings he could have won were those Wolves team more talented.

[@maradonad10s99]

Mind blowing stat; 40 YO KG on in Minnesota played only about 12 MPG.... The Wolves had the best Drtg in the NBA in those 12 minutes and the worst Def. Rtg when KG sat. Thats amazing and sad at the same time.

[@yonguicho2696]

Really? Amazing

[@dieverletzten6171]

Yeah it's crazy to think about his peak and then you look at his support in those season: old Cassell, old Sprewell, Szczerbiak. It's a shame he never got any prime players.

[@moneyman9295]

@@dieverletzten6171 his best teammate chance was wit Starbury or Billups

[@gamemeister27]

@@moneyman9295 and that was before his peak.

[@injusticeanywherethreatens4810]

where did you read those defensive rating numbers!?

[@connorlothrop5871]

8 minutes in, concerned he's gonna run out of way to compare Kev to an octopus

[@ThinkingBasketball]

Narrator: He did

[@connorlothrop5871]

@@ThinkingBasketball and not for lack of trying either. mad respect

[@Knealeriley]

2:10 “tentacles”

[@linkonedgell894]

Dont worry he will never run out of ways to compare KG to an octopus

[@hunterhenryk]

If you cut off KG's arms, they'll still keep trying to block shots.

[@samuelyuan291]

It's so sad that in like all of those clips where KG is making amazing passes, his teammates miss.

[@ThinkingBasketball]

This really jumped out to me when I watched the a full draft all the way through for the first time.

[@samuelyuan291]

@@ThinkingBasketball He gives them such easy shots too 😫

[@enaidealukal4105]

And there was a stretch of seasons where he averaged 5-6 assists/game, passing to scrub teammates! He had some seriously insane seasons- in 2002-03 he averaged 23 ppg 13.4 rpg and 6 apg (55% TS), plus elite defense. The following year he posted 24/14/5. Crazy.

[@willhooke]

@@ThinkingBasketball do you end up giving a score for each player compared to one another, to see who owns the Mountain Goat Peak? 🐐🗻 In the end, there can only be one 👑

[@aaronli8376]

@@willhooke he has a top 40 on his website. based on that its either lebron or kareem. probably lebron for goat peak from my guess

[@williamlopez3787]

Garnett seems like one of the only players in nba history who would be perfect in both a small ball and a supersized lineup, his skills would work at nearly any position or system

[@oluwaseyijohnson3162]

This players are rare but not hard to find tbh. Just off today players Lebron, AD, KD,

[@williamlopez3787]

@@oluwaseyijohnson3162 You’re not wrong the list is probably like 20 or 30 players, still very impressive that his skill set was like a guard but he had the height and wingspan of dominant paint defenders

[@dariusmcclain5584]

KG as a modern small ball 5 is a tantalizing, terrifying thought, lol

[@t4d0W]

@@oluwaseyijohnson3162 uhhh 3 generational talents and absolute top 10 caliber players of the last decade or two is 'rare but not hard to find'? LMFAO. You youngn's definitely take these type scalable talents for granted.

[@zerocal76]

@@oluwaseyijohnson3162 You're a joke with a comment like that. You're talking about superstars in LBJ, AD KD and they aren't hard to find? Just avoid commenting next time

[@marco5030]

I was waiting for this one ever since he referenced Garnett in his AD profile, and it really delivered.

[@ThinkingBasketball]

Yes! 🙏

[@grahamimal8336]

The best Basketball content out there

[@OjoRojo40]

@@ThinkingBasketball Where is Barkley?? You are not serious if you don't include his 86-91 stretch. That's just facts. Cheers

[@nikosbabatzanis8713]

@@OjoRojo40 He posted about not picking Barkley and Malone in his greatest peaks. He said that although Barkley's offense was amazing his defence was problematic

[@OjoRojo40]

@@nikosbabatzanis8713 Yes I know, a bad argument considering how hard is to measure a good defender. Specially in Barkley's case who NEVER played in teams who cared about defense. Cheers!

[@MarioDiciple]

KG is definitely the case study for thinking basketball. A player with all the traits of a great basketball player but underrated due to being on bad teams and being thought of in narrow lines.

[@ThinkingBasketball]

What's been fascinating to watch over the last 20 years is how little is discussed about his actual game, and how much is discussed about his team/playoff failures and the singular idea that his scoring was so bad that it was the cause of it all.

[@steelwall4396]

@Lucas Baker In all fairness it wasn't his strong suit. We saw in Boston that he elevated in the playoffs when his best skills were what was called for. Asking KG to be a volume scorer is like asking Magic to be a volume scorer or for Kareem to playmaker in volume. They CAN do it, it just isn't what makes them top 10 players

[@kags9367]

@Lucas Baker He was light on scoring and heavy on playmaking, volume scoring wasn't his strongest suit. But pair him with other scorers and his passing and defensive genius would catapult the team to rare heights, unlocking his teammates' potential KG isn't like Duncan or Hakeem, whose scoring games are far more resilient in the playoffs, but his elite passing for a big and his shooting allow his game to complement other stars' like few other superstars in NBA history. I love the Anthony Davis comparison a lot - IMO he's like a fully evolved AD, with all-time passing from a big, a sweet shooting touch, and one of the 5 most impactful defenders ever As his Backpicks profile states, his peak is below GOAT-level because his scoring lets him down a little (compared to the Jordans and Shaqs and LeBrons), but his all-time defense and highly scaleable offensive arsenal means that he's not very far behind at all

[@aaronli8376]

@@kags9367 KG was one of the reasons I got into basketball. KG is a product of his era. if he developed in this era where he shot 3s instead of long 2s, he would be in the goat contention because there hasn't been a player yet with that combination of offense/defense. but thats fantasy and the reality of playing in his era and carrying such a burden on defense and offense is that it will hurt your numbers in the post season when teams can zone in on you. His teams really were that bad due to mismanagement and anyone that says otherwise is fooling themselves when in the west, almost every playoff team was stacked.

[@ralx225b]

@@kags9367 I disagree with a couple of your statements so here we go. 1. Anthony Davis has not shown a single time in his career the type of court vision and high I.Q. reads that K.G. has consistently shown in his career. Anthony Davis is actually a more gifted scorer than KG because of his naturally larger frame his main issues are a lack of aggressiveness and his tendency to get injured frequently. Davis is just as versatile on defense as KG he just lacks his motor on both sides of the ball. KG alongside a player like Nash, Kidd, Payton in his prime would have averaged over 25 ppg in the regular season and playoffs just because he was ELITE at moving off the ball but NEVER got it in those spots. As a result he would have reached GOAT level offense because of his ability to be a secondary scorer and playmaker off the cut and the catch deadly in both the roll and the pop as a result of playing alongside an elite playmaker. Nash might have been the best fit actually or Payton a close second.

[@mannycalavera2335]

"KG tracked the ball better than maybe any player in NBA history. He was a hardwood sentinel, materializing in the paint the instant he detected a threat". This is the best description of Kevin Garnett's defensive prowess I have ever heard.

[@kanajingly8957]

Every game I watched KG play, this was apparent from the get-go. Any team with KG always had a chance to keep the game close no matter how limited his team was offensively, simply through controlling one side of the court alone. That's what made KG's defense legendary and pleasing to watch as a fan.

[@greatwhitesufi]

The Western Conference during KG's prime was insanely stacked. Multiple teams having 1 and sometimes even 2 MVP-calibre players. Dirk and Nash, Robinson and Duncan, Shaq and Kobe, a solid Portland team and up and coming Kings squad with C-Webb and Bibby and he had teammates that I can't even remember

[@image13]

Yep KG had Wally and Troy Hudson as his main guys lol

[@LookingForAName...]

His incredible versatility makes a serious case for his inclusion in a theoretical best starting five of all time. I feel like he scales exponentially with good teammates and his only Achilles heel, volume scoring, wouldn't be an issue in such a team. Plus, he can guard damn near everybody and, with a modern mind state, his long range shooting would be lethal, adding value to his already great off ball movement.

[@mrbattle2013]

Not the greatest PF but most versatile

[@ggsimmonds1]

When people go through the exercise of "two people pick their all-time starting five and argue about which team would win," Garnet is the guy I make sure to take. His defensive versatility ensures I wouldn't have mismatches (for example if the other team had Durant)

[@roykentseyebrows4196]

Not to mention that he's one of the five most psychotically intense players ever.

[@Terror832]

It’s weird. People call KG a fake tough guy but he’s honestly tougher than everyone playing in the NBA today.

[@yd856]

@@Terror832 KG would get into your head and mess with you but wouldn’t actually fight you. It worked to perfection to mess with players heads but people think he was fake tough because he didn’t get himself ejected lmao.

[@Terror832]

@@yd856 HOF bully badge

[@yd856]

@@Terror832 pretty much.

[@rollotomasi4045]

@@Terror832 Lookup Anthony Peeler & KG in '04 Playoffs.

[@LoganLS0]

Fun fact: In his very last year he was the best on/off defender in the league. The Timberwolves defended 25 points per possession better when 40 year old KG was on the court.

[@rooseveltdarbey9493]

Wow he should have went to a good team in 2016 instead of going back to Minnesota. I understand why he did it but he should have gone to the clippers.

[@LoganLS0]

@@rooseveltdarbey9493 well he only played like 400 minutes the whole season.

[@messageinathrottle4046]

His defensive footwork is insane in these clips.

[@r7anr77]

Especially going in for a block

[@rahulkagdiyal8180]

Changed my whole perspective on KG...so much to learn from this detailed analysis...not only about KG but also about the game...hats off thinking basketball 👍🙏

[@kanajingly8957]

Find the best offenses in history and KG alone will make them look mediocre.

[@knowworth6802]

@@kanajingly8957 Dirk and Rasheed Wallace sent him home in the first round.

[@kanajingly8957]

@@knowworth6802 Correction, The Mavericks and Pistons sent the Timberwolves home. Why don't we put KG on the pistons and Mavs instead and see what happens? Look at the whole picture and you will realise that it's a team sport? Or have you been playing too much 1 on 1 basketball?

[@theultimatepielord8697]

Kevin Garnett: I am going to be the next Michael Jordan Coach: Dude you're seven feet tall KG: Did I ****ing stutter?

[@marcusmcneal7453]

There’s two players I’ve seen perfect MJ’s post up fadeaway jumper: Kobe and KG.

[@chibill467]

KG said he wanted to be a hood Magic Johnson lol

[@meep7895]

*6 foot 12

[@dusk6159]

No, KG wanted to be a 7ft tall playmaking big/Magic Johnson.

[@jacobenke7936]

He actually played with Mike a bit when he was in high school. He tells a story about it, and being scared af. He hit a jumper over Pippen and said he felt like he'd won a championship.

[@petardjordjev8271]

KG, one of the most underrated bigs of all time

[@yd856]

The most underrated, winning bias have made people overlook his career.

[@pedromdcc13]

Not bigs, players

[@carusohighlightreel4275]

Top 8 all time?

[@HoopVenue]

Caruso Highlight Reel potentially, nobody gets done worse by consensus rankings than KG

[@carusohighlightreel4275]

@@HoopVenue fax

[@benalexander5010]

As a Timberwolves fan, thank you for making this video. People forget how awesome KG was and how abysmal the talent around him was except for 2004. He is the best thing to ever happen to the Wolves and his name belongs in the conversation for best power forward of all time.

[@mariotube1488]

Naw man as top ten best big but in my he is top 5

[@benalexander5010]

@@mariotube1488 he’s up there for sure

[@knowworth6802]

One deep playoff run in Minnesota. The others were missed playoffs or first round exits. Overrated asf.

[@kingdinodragonite3470]

​@@knowworth6802the 2023 rockets would sweep the 2000s wolves without KG

[@DeeRock21]

Should have never traded Ray Allen for Stephon Marbury in that draft😢

[@justsayin669]

KG is a top 5 all time defender and belongs in the conversation for greatest defender of all time.

[@yd856]

KG played the floor raising role perfectly in Minnesota and was also the perfect ceiling raiser in Boston, that’s very rare.

[@t4d0W]

You essentially defined the trait a scalable player should possess.

[@aadames]

great point

[@steelwall4396]

He wasn't a great floor raiser though? At least not an all-time one. His lack of efficient volume scoring that Duncan, Shaq and Olajuwon had is something Ben mentions in this piece? Want to call him the best ceiling raiser ever? You won't get an argument from me. Want to say those Wolves were some of the worst teams an MVP has ever played for? Sure Saying he can floor raise like Olajuwon, Shaq, Duncan, Jordan, Lebron, Kareem, Kobe, or Dwayne Wade is just misguided at best?

[@FuShengAlex]

@@steelwall4396 dirk bombed all over his Wolves too.

[@6dotz]

@@steelwall4396 d wade isn’t a floor raiser lol

[@DaggerDenkraam]

As a university prof, I sometimes get goosebumps when a lesson works especially well and the students are really getting into it. I get those same goosebumps with every video in this series - this one especially.

[@johermeah2785]

That's cool. What do you teach?

[@kanajingly8957]

Cool! What do you teach?

[@dulogmaz]

What separates Duncan, Shaq and those type of upper echelon players from KG is just circumstance.

[@Ry3nel]

Most complete defender ever. Could guard the perimeter and protect the rim at an elite level. Imo

[@yd856]

@Gannon Rice he defended perimeter players well like Clyde Drexler in the 1997 Wolves vs Rockets series, he was also a great pick and roll defender and had no problems switching out to defend guys on the perimeter like in the 2008 Celtics vs Cavs series or the 2008 finals. He’s probably not a top 10 perimeter defender ever, but I’d say that he’s the best perimeter big man defensively.

[@AlanMane]

Id take Detroit Rodman over KG but just slightly.

[@mrmacross]

I still give the nod to Rodman. He couldn't protect the rim like some other elite defenders, but throughout his career, you could reliably isolate him defensively on prime Michael Jordan or prime Shaq, and actually do a good job. And I emphasize "do a good job" because a lot of players (e.g. LeBron) are said to defend 1-5, but LeBron shied away from defending guys like Dwight Howard in his prime because Howard outmuscled him.

[@yd856]

@@AlanMane Rodman wasn’t nearly as good of an off ball defender or rim protector that KG was.

[@mrb6001]

Ehhhh Hakeem and Rodman are right there

[@ebrown112]

this vid made me love KG even more, and i was already maxed out. anyone remember that blue-ish nike shoe he had with the zipper and the circle on the ankle?

[@ebrown112]

Nike Air Flightposit KG

[@SeNs3NoEviL]

I'm glad somebody finally did a full analysis on Garnett's greatness, truly the most talented PF we have ever seen

[@knowworth6802]

Lol Duncan, Barkley, Giannis, Malone, and Dirk clears. At least they don't miss the playoffs three years in a row in their primes.

[@SeNs3NoEviL]

@@knowworth6802 Now if only KG had the teams that those other players you mentioned did...

[@theonlyalecazam2947]

@@knowworth6802 You hate context don’t you

[@ggsimmonds1]

@@knowworth6802 Username does NOT check out

[@buckchile614]

One could theoretically use him @ the 3 as well and have the most talented SF ever

[@MrPlow-jc4cr]

KG would have been an absolute god if he played in this era. Basically an even switchier AD

[@libraalibaba]

That's why I get upset when they guys couldn't play in today's league. Malone would have been fouled out if he gaurded KG today.

[@steelwall4396]

Just a more extreme version of AD. Probably a better shooter, definitely a better playmaker and defender. Only really loses in terms of vertical spacing

[@Terror832]

@@steelwall4396 KG is actually a better jump shooter than AD *AD FG% 10 feet and above* (17-18) 231/621 = 37.2% (18-19) 154/425 = 36.2% (19-20) 188/531 = 35.4% *KG FG% 10 feet and above* (02-03) 396/859 = 46.1% (03-04) 420/946 = 44.4% (04-05) 309/704 = 43.9%

[@steelwall4396]

@@Terror832 That's not showing the fact that AD is shooting from further

[@emmanuela7528]

What a player. That ability to be aware of absolute everything going on around him is so damn special.

[@d.luvevo711]

A tragic story of how a poorly run franchise can ruin an all time talent. The *best* Power Forward of all time that simply didn't get the chances to win in his prime that the other PFs of his era and the previous one did. (Malone, Duncan, Dirk, Webber) I'll forever argue that he's better than all of them, and happy that 2008 proved he is in fact a winning player when given the chance.

[@duden26]

You have a point but i can't take him over Duncan. It's close though.

[@t4d0W]

You definitely gave context to how one of the best scalable players in league history could underachieve and be given such a weird stigma until he was finally put in a position to display his winning basketball methods could result in a chip.

[@rolandorevidizo1757]

Sadly that 2008 was his last prime. And he was not the same after that injured.

[@NICKHAM16]

KG is the reason I started watching basketball in the early 2000s. It's great to see someone breaking down what made him so elite.

[@jgray2718]

I'm old enough to have seen KG's entire career, and I never noticed a lot of these things. I was (am) a Laker fan, so all KG's greatness got buried in losses, and I never appreciated how great he was until this video. When I saw Garnett next on Greatest Peaks, my first thought was "really?" rather than "finally!", but now that you point out what he did and what he could do, I wish I had just been more observant then. Great work, as always, and thank you for the fantastic series :-)

[@t4d0W]

I mean we were all observant then. But some of our lack of understanding of the game in comparison to now makes us miss the details in what made him great on the court. Especially his horizontal movement and how he commands his (lackluster) teammates on defense so he picks his spots, stays in front of the ball handler at the perimeter, keeps up with the play and still try blow it up in the end at the rim. Just a player who took absolute pride in his craft.

[@philipwacker4629]

Damn, that P&R Defence was incredible!

[@TheRealAbraxas]

Garnett’s style of defense would fit perfectly into today’s game. Same with his offensive versatility

[@michaelo6317]

I’ve waited so long for the KG greatest peaks. Most underrated top 10 player of all time.

[@MikeTheNBAGuy]

probably cause hes not top 10 lol

[@mattplag44]

Just curious who your top 10 is if you put KG in there

[@yd856]

@@MikeTheNBAGuy he’s easily top 10. The only argument against it is winning bias which is purely situational.

[@MikeTheNBAGuy]

@@yd856 nah. Top 20, debatably top 15, but I cant see any real arguement for top 10 unless you just really disrespect players from before the 90s

[@pedromdcc13]

@@MikeTheNBAGuy I have no problems disrespecting players I think are worst

[@yunan9610]

Amazing motor, he really never stops moving

[@gyeongchankim5423]

He was able to shoot, handle the ball, drive, pass, anchor the defense, block, rebound, resist to mismatch. The definition of versatile 2 way player.

[@JonnyLin7]

I just get a new appreciation for players like Garnett after these videos. As someone who could guard 1 through 5, had big man size with guard level passing and ball handling and a great long two shooter, he was way ahead of his time. He's basically a 7 foot Draymond Green (in his prime), with AD level shot creation abilities. That's a demi-god player in today's NBA.

[@janoycresnova9156]

I always felt like KG was a better and more talented player than Duncan but Duncan had a vastly better team and management around him.

[@coop7008]

Wait until the Duncan greatest peak episode.

[@TElias5]

hold up lmao nobody agrees with that dont start that bs. even the uploader recognizes that duncan is top 5 all time. duncan just isnt flashy.

[@iitzblitxen3770]

@@TElias5actually they seem to flip flop either way, even giving KG the edge in the top 10 peaks video

[@albertosahagun9672]

KG was the prototype man. He's Draymond/AD on steroids.

[@drlca6601]

lol not even to be spoken of in the same breath...

[@domination4892]

@@drlca6601 no he meant that AD is the modern day version of KG

[@domination4892]

@The Ultimate And Garnett isn’t as good of a shooter from 3

[@Max-kv8uw]

@@domination4892 Garnett was arguably though the better shooter. Looking at his ft% and long-2%, it's really not hard to see that if he had played in this modern 3-ball-oriented era, he could've been a stretch 5.

[@Tedholla79]

@@domination4892 they didnt shoot threes that often guy. did you see how many 19ft shots were in the video? garnett shot 43% in these years, i guess he practiced that shot, a lot.

[@maxstrom5450]

Never in my life did I think that I'd underrated KG, as he's one of my all-time faves, but wow, I missed so much depth to his game. His defense goes so much deeper than meets the eye, it's really some of the highest IQ basketball ever.

[@kawaiiafangirl]

I'm ecstatic that videos like this exist on KZbin. My generation growing up loved players like Kobe, AI, and Shaq because they were so popular but I always loved the guys who didn't get as much notice like KG, Duncan, T-Mac, and Jason Kidd. If KG played today, he'd probably be similar to Giannis but not quite as athletic and w/ a greater jump shot. What Jokic is doing now also reminds me of KG- Garnett would probably average a similar amount of rebounds and assists, be a greater defender, but not be quite the power player that Jokic is on the post.

[@NigerianBaller]

Kevin Garnett was one of my favorite players growing up. I modeled my game after him. He was the prototype PF, his intensity was unmatched and he never backed down from anyone, EVER!!! I mean the guy trashed talked Michael Jordan as a rookie 😱😱😂😂 . I'm giving Garnett his flowers while he's here 🌹🌹. One of the greatest PF's to ever play the game. He's in the HOF for a reason.

[@AAthurskiii]

The most underrated player in recent history. Definitely top ten all time.

[@itzfusionplex4266]

@@S4L665-OnelessthantheDevil Thats disrespectful, hes a lock for top 15 and you can make a top 10 case.

[@kingdinodragonite3470]

@@S4L665-OnelessthantheDevil KG was one of the few guys that actually improve stats surrounded by good teammates. The fact that the Wolves scored the same net rating with the Spurs when KG is on the court speaks volume because the Spurs are a dynasty while the Wolves are garbage surrounding KG.Who knows if he played with an elite playmaker, he would be averaging 27ppg and 15reb probably as well as being a DPOY candidate every time.

[@maxsevier6569]

Am I the only one who would love to see his all time starting 5? Not best players but best fit

[@RLSmith-jt8qj]

Hell yeah

[@axlegallardo]

Center - Anthony Davis Power Forward- giannis Antetokounmpo Small Forward - Kevin Durant Shooting Guard - Michael Jordan Point Guard - Lebron James Reserves: Shaquille O’Neal Kevin Garnett Kobe Bryant Klay Thompson Dwayne Wade Hakeem Olajuwon Stephen Curry

[@fuckoffstupidyoutub1]

It probably would be something like Curry - Jordan - Lebron - KG - AD

[@axlegallardo]

@@fuckoffstupidyoutub1 KG and AD will overlap. KD will give them more space. If Curry's shooting doesn't click, he'll be an above-average player, all-star caliber at the most. That's why I'm rolling with Greek Freak. Center - Anthony Davis Power Forward- Giannis Antetokounmpo Small Forward - Kevin Durant Shooting Guard - Michael Jordan Point Guard - Lebron James

[@eliasdejene2779]

@@axlegallardo huh? if curry's shooting doesn't click? you realize the thing about curry that discombobulates defenses isn't how many 3s he makes, it's the THREAT of him shooting that destroys everybody. He creates insane space for the rest of his teammates even if he's off that game because he could come back any moment. and his shooting "clicks" 99% of the time anyway. Without his shooting touch (for one game, cuz it rarely happens often) he is still an All Star because of his passing, finishing, and space-creating for teammates. starting 5 is PG: Curry(goat shooter, incredible spacing) SG: Jordan(GOAT candidate, cold-blooded assassin) SF: LeBron(GOAT candidate, primary playmaker and incredible finisher) PF: KD (all time scoring, team player) C: Duncan (unselfishness, defense, passing, shooting)

[@thisguymike0100]

He's definitely underrated when it comes to the discussion of best two way players of all time. I think partially because the NBA is so perimeter oriented now and because he played in MN. There's no era he couldn't thrive in defensively. He's just one generation too early. In today's NBA he thrives, especially if he could shoot even avg from 3 pt range. Which I'm sure he could cuz his midrange game was one of the best when it came to Bigs. Definitely one of my favorite players.

[@devinturner1968]

Dude no joke every time one of these videos drop I yell "LETS GOOOO". I get genuinely excited for your content. Keep up the great work, friend.

[@jonathanwilliams6883]

You 100% deserve a TV deal for this greatest peaks series man. fantastic quality, fantastic content please keep this series going ✊

[@LukaMuh]

I love that you put KG in this series People forget how good he actually was

[@dovy99]

Thanks Ben, these videos are great. I'm enjoying these series so much. Garnett's greatness in full display.

[@domzec]

This series is awesome. Thank you for the attention to detail and effort you put into this!!!

[@mesda5891]

Thanks for elevating the quality of Nba's discussions. Easily the best basketball channel on KZbin.

[@agregs30]

Great off ball defenders are much akin to great passers and playmakers who can see the play developing before it actually happens. They know where the openings for the offense are if it’s executed properly and can react accordingly depending on how well the defense is or isn’t playing the play. Knowing the personal is key. Knowing who you can leave open in the corners and who get tunnel vision on their drives can dictate how aggressively you can gamble in certain situations. Defensive virtuosos are a joy to watch even if they don’t get the limelight they deserve.

[@1caringhuman]

This is the basketball content I’ve been searching for.. In-depth and detailed breakdowns of plays, players and play styles. Both this channel and series are criminally underrated.

[@xXxGlitterGirlxXx]

I swear the music you use adds so much to your already amazing videos. It goes so well with your erudite explanations of the players skills.

[@MidwayGuy]

Another thing Garnett would do on defense, if the ref stopped the clock and the opponent put up a practice shot, Garnett would goal tend the hoop just to deny his opponent that little bit of satisfaction. He was to this day the most intense defender I've ever seen. He didn't have an off button.

[@dreamsoda897]

Watched this on release and watching it again after KG got inducted into the HoF. My favorite PF and one of my favorite players of all time

[@jakewaugh2059]

It's criminal that this channel only has 205k subs. I know there's a lot of competition for basketball content on KZbin but seriously, only a few other channels put anywhere close to this much efforting into each and every one of there videos. Keep up the great work man, I cant put into words how much i love your content.

[@Shaklore]

I have been following you ever since you made the Backpicks Top 40 list and wrote the Thinking Basketball book. From the moment you started this KZbin channel, I have anticipated a video covering Kevin Garnett especially since you mentioned him many times. Felt so good to finally watch this after a long wait. He really is one of the most misunderstood players ever. Thank you so much for covering Kevin Garnett!

[@sambalaskas5082]

This gets me hyped for TD. I loved them going back and forth. Both genius defenders but in such different ways. Also KG is the best chirper ever and TD never talked lol. I miss this match up

[@chibill467]

lol according to KG, TD talks a lot just not loud lmao

[@SB-ou5yp]

Man, you're helping a young guy from the U.K finally understand the NBA and why some of these legends are great. Kudos to you. Also, are we going to see a video on Charles Barkley?

[@dask7428]

Simply the best basketball videos on youtube. Thank you !

[@husainifarid529]

I really love this series. Thank you for putting an effort to create this one, god bless you g

[@Hanzelimpaired]

I have just discovered this channel today and it instantly became my fav yt basketball channel! Great analysis, exactly what I was looking for. So satisfying, thank you for your work!

[@ThinkingBasketball]

Thanks and welcome

[@nickcrafa3713]

ive seen a few of these videos, and youre legit man. i think your content is great, really good job.

[@kingcartrell4554]

This dude won a MVP and championship and got u making vids about every detail he does, nice work.

[@jona.scholt4362]

'02-'04 KG was such a beast. Most versatile big man at the time; all sorts of talent on offense but even better on D. His prime was fun to watch. If he had joined another star in his prime like players do today, he would've racked up more titles and they'd be putting his name even higher on the list of all time greats. Note: Boston KG was definitely not peak KG; that was a few years past by then but he was still a force obviously.

[@hiavishai]

Now imagine putting KG next to a player like curry… he could dominate the defense like draymond does without compromising any offense as a second option. KG was criminally ahead of his time

[@hardwoodthought1213]

So unlike Duncan he couldn’t lead teams on both ends far

[@svnami_1041]

@@hardwoodthought1213if KG was on the spurs like duncan he wouldve won just as much championships

[@hardwoodthought1213]

@@svnami_1041 LMFAO, no he wouldn’t have. Tim Duncan knew when he had to be a volume scorer come playoff time, something KG wasn’t ever. Dude has 6x less 30+ point playoff games than Duncan, who from 00-04 had fairly mediocre offensive teams. KG maybe wins 05/07 (although, I still doubt it as he wasn’t a threat that was double teamed like Duncan was which opened up the game for his young teammates like Parker and Manu) but he doesn’t come close to winning 99 (wasn’t good enough early), 03 (couldn’t carry a weak cast far) or 14 (was washed by about 2012). Flip that, no way Duncan only wins one with 04 Minnesota and prime Pierce/Allen for 5 years

[@GTR24]

Some great details here. I watched his game from 2003-2014. I never noticed how he mirrored the ball handler while guarding a man without the ball.

[@brianbachmeier34]

Your analysis is fascinating. Great job!

[@robbydevries2k7]

My favorite player growing up. Played ball myself at the 1.We had nothing in common, but I just admired the way he played the game. Dominant on both ends of the court with a hall of fame skillset, motor and great mind for the game. His only weakness should not even be considered a weakness. It was his loyalty to Minnesota.

[@imhotepnixon]

12:20 look at the spacing literally everyone was in the paint I think KG would’ve had the chance to be the goat if he was in this spread out era cause he would be taking more threes as well

[@Terror832]

Call me crazy but I can see KG putting up numbers on par with the current back to back MVP Giannis. Garnett was putting up numbers in a time where interior defense was still strong, spacing was worser, pace was slower, rebounding battles were around, etc. Garnett was doing everything Giannis was doing except better (especially as a jump shooter). Though I will say Giannis is explosive while KG is smooth. I can see him easily averaging an efficient 25+ PPG, 15+ RPG and elite all time defense. In fact he’d be a perennial DPOY winner in today’s era.

[@PunishedLasagna]

@@Terror832 Not crazy at all. Giannis has more pure athleticism, KG is a much more skilled player. He would shoot and make more threes than Giannis while playing outstanding defense and setting up his teammates for easy buckets. He was ahead of his time in many ways.

[@junebabyLV]

@@Terror8321000% agree with this take!

[@AlexBrown-xp7mt]

@@Terror832 I don't think there are many who would call you crazy, imo Prime KG was clearly a better player than Giannis, and Giannis is a beast don't get me wrong.

[@chibill467]

@@AlexBrown-xp7mt for sure, KG is much smarter so the defense teams are using against Giannis in playoffs would not work at all against KG

[@jameshoops10]

1:11 honestly that is best interview of all time

[@mariotube1488]

But man he truly love the game if you watch the whole interview because at the end it mad me cry a lil bit.

[@jameshoops10]

@@mariotube1488 any real man would shed a tear or two 🤝

[@Daily0Dylan]

I've been looking forward to this video more than I can admit. Excellent content! Btw, all those clips of Ben Wallace remind me that an analysis on Ben Wallace (02-04) would be awesome. I'd love to see how his defense stacks up against TD, KG, Hakeem, and DRob.

[@charl_lee]

one of my first favorite players when i started watching basketball🙏🏽 KG was a legit problem back in the day. cant sag off cuz his mid is cash and he had great post footwork too. & its crazy cuz his defense was what really separated him from other 4’s. KG was so good on both sides its hard to explain/quantify by just looking at the numbers. He’d be craaaazy in today’s league with his skillset. Lovin this series man! These vids give me the basketball munchies👽

[@ghoulhaven7765]

Dude KG today is literally exactly what almost every team needs

[@t4d0W]

Especially now. There is only one AD and teams are looking for a tall defender who can move horizontally. Ben Simmons comes at a strong second consideration but right now he's more of an on-ball perimeter pit bull who can give strong second effort when his guy blows by him either through his fast (and active) hands. Giannis and to an extent Jaren Jackson Jr. have shown flashes of using their length/footwork/quickness to make multiple stops to look like they are defending everywhere. But not at the level Garnett exploits his in game knowledge and reads to blow up stuff at a reactive level. KG now would feast at the way the modern NBA plays with hand off schemes and switching if he had the ideal talent surrounding him.

[@knowworth6802]

A guy who misses the playoffs 3 years in a row in the middle of his prime?

[@DgSezn]

@@knowworth6802 I know you don’t understand any context why, look at the supporting cast and tell me if that’s a playoff caliber supporting cast

[@theonlyalecazam2947]

@@t4d0W Draymond too

[@bogazici92]

Great Video about a great player. I would love to see an analysis of Nowitzki and Duncan. It would be interesting to compare these 3 great PF

[@northernlight1000]

Great video, I've been waiting a long time for this.. Cant wait for the Duncan one!!

[@Maws92]

That year 2000 clip was a nice nostalgia trip, thank you!

[@rooseveltdarbey9493]

Kevin Garnett just never had others great players around him, until he went to The Celtics. He was phenomenal in Minnesota but he just didn't have the help, and he was facing teams in the west conference that had two stars. Lakers (Kobe, Shaq) Mavs(Nash, Dirk) Spurs(Duncan, Robinson, Parker, Ginoboli).

[@knowworth6802]

His teammate Latrell Sprewell led the Knicks to the Finals when Ewing went down. KG just isn't good enough, it's okay.

[@Thanosdidtherighthing]

@@knowworth6802 🌝 Latrell Sprewell shot an abysmal 49.1% True Shooting in Minesotta. He was 3rd in PER for the Knicks in the regular season and 2nd in the playoffs. He didn’t lead them to anything. Patrick Ewing got hurt that playoffs

[@knowworth6802]

@@Thanosdidtherighthing Cry, KG isn't Top 30.

[@isiahsarne8505]

In the final episode would love to see what your best ever starting 5 would be in the final episode since you talk about this fit in every episode.

[@t4d0W]

Lets make it more fun and give it a theme. The 'Scalable' starting 5 has been explored before by other sports media guys but I'd like Ben's take on it.

[@moisesvallejo4095]

This was so amazing friend! Thank you! Kg was unapretieted so much just because of his loyalty to a bad organization! It was just a shame to see him wasting his prime on that team! I really enjoy the video! Maybe the best i ever see! 😅😎😍🤟🏻 You are DA best!

[@rubatsch1713]

excellent video. I wasnt even aware of KGs intangibles when I watched him as a kid in his prime.

[@Mali-rl4yg]

Ima high school b-ball player who’s a “big” Nd I’ve taking tips from ur series such as shaqs off ball movement n to get position and try to to anticipate passing from the bird episode not saying I’ll ever be anything near there level at doing it but my stats Nd people such as my coach Nd others have noticed a change n my game so thanks for the series it helped me a fair bit

[@WhelmedButReady]

2:51 Ah, what nerd doesn't love a good Spider-Man reference.😉

[@Tedholla79]

and cephalopod references. 😅

[@timbrewer2705]

This whole video made my heart so happy.

[@Thanosdidtherighthing]

I remember the day and moment this episode dropped. Still a banger ! 👍

[@maxpeng9641]

Yes! Keep up all the incredible work Ben. You are truly a genius basketball content creator.

[@Nuka0420]

Seeing KG literally GRAB the ball one handed from someone in the air.... Just incredible

[@clawxxchris]

I wish their was a quantifiable stat for defensive usage. Including contesting and switching and things that we don’t seem to track. I bet KG would be one of the most effective along with some of the highest defensive usage ever. This guy must have been such a pain in the ass to play against.

[@t4d0W]

IMO defense does not have reliable advanced stats to quantify overall individual performances for that context. That said the eye test clearly passes for KG because even being surrounded with lackluster defenders for teammates, he himself gave the Wolves a high floor to be GOOD on defense as a WCF team. When it came to playoff matchups getting exploited and depth becomes a thing, that is outside of KGs control and he's at the mercy of his opposing teams just being all around better than his.

[@marshallbartley176]

One of my two favorite players ever. An absolute beast

[@jalenbrunsonfan]

I've been so hyped for this episode!

[@njstuckey]

I know you'll be doing one on Duncan, but I would love to see a mini-sode on Dirk. No one would argue he's the greatest player ever but he might have had the most complete offensive game of any player ever. Completely unstoppable due to sheer variety (as opposed to Shaq or Kareem who were unstoppable from one or two things they did too well to ever be guarded). He also changed the way the league viewed big men forever. In fact I'd argue that if KG had played after Dirk and been encouraged to do some more shooting, he would've had an even better career taking 3's instead of all those long 2's.

[@peterpan3022]

hm i think durant has an even more refined offensive bag than dirk. if i recall correctly dirks post up game never was that great. his fade away was basically unguardable but as u have mentioned other all time players had basically unguardable moves as well.

[@milto2269]

The most complete offensive player implies that he's an elite passer which he definitely wasn't. But even if you wanna say he was the most complete, I wouldn't agree with that either. KD is slightly more complete because of his handle and how he can attack the rim more aggressively

[@fuckoffstupidyoutub1]

He is a fan of dirk scoring but everything else is not enought for Ben to consider him

[@mralpaca2150]

Dirk can't pass

[@guillermovazquez1084]

Dirk will probably be right after the Duncan Episode 05-07

[@johnrivera6244]

I say it every episode because it needs to be made known; This is the BEST series on youtube.

[@OTM-BandiT]

Man, what a treat it was to go watch KG play at the target center. I probably saw about 6 or 7 games of him. Last time I was probably only 11 or 12, so I was just excited to be at an NBA basketball game. He was always my favorite player ever since we drafted him, and I got to stay up late on game nights with my dad to watch. I didn't understand the game as much as I do now (27y/o now), and just couldn't understand why he left Minnesota at the time. I was heartbroken. Seeing him in a C's jersey just wasn't the same, but I was genuinely happy for him over there. A competent front office, good coach, great complimentary teammates. He had the whole recipe for success there. Damn right I watched every game of that 2008 NBA finals and cheered for my favorite player of all time even though it was tough to cheer for the Celtics. And when I saw KG in his interview after game 6, I was 100% shedding tears man, and when he was yelling "THIS IS FOR EVERYONE IN 'SOTA!" I straight up lost it. I was so happy for him. he deserved that ring 1000%. KG is the sole reason why I am such a big of basketball fan as I am for all these years, and I won't stop being a fan and loving this game any time soon! And for that, KG I salute you, my friend. Thanks for the memories and great times, even though we couldn't get you the ring you deserved here in 'Sota. This is why I love this game. ♥

[@cidmatrix9643]

Basketball Octopus is such a perfect description for KG 🐙🏀

[@saulgoodman8788]

I remember whenever I was watching KG play defense, I always thought he moved like water

[@nickareias1343]

Great video! Thanks! Loved this one.

[@BonsaiBoi01]

KG’s prime was before my time as is a lot of the players on this series. I really appreciate being able to get an insight to just how good some of these players are