Quote:
Originally Posted by ehmunro
He didn't "change the culture of losing". He changed the defense. And changed it from a mediocre unit to an arguably top 5 all time defense. I know that for the kids around here defense sucks, but the reality is that Bill Russell really was the most valuable player of the 60s and Garnett was the most valuable player of this last season (as Tim Duncan has been the most valuable player of the last decade). I doubt he'll win the MVP as everyone gets carried away with the gaudy offensive numbers put up Paul, Kobe, and LBJ, but that doesn't change the fact that Garnett has turned the Celtics into a all-time great defensive squad, as in '94 Knicks great.
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You'll find no argument from me on what KG has meant to the team defensively, and this is something I was hinting at, but didn't overtly say when I mentioned him bing a worthy candidate. The only reason I brought up KG is because people use the argument Kobe is having a down year because his numbers are down, yet those same people don't make the same argument against KG, despite them being in similar situations--going from a team lacking talent one year to being surrounded by other great players the next. KG just had to switch teams to do it. Both are playing the best defense they have in years, worthy of the Defensive 1st team. KG's is at another level of course. I don't see how he doesn't walk away with a very handy lead for DPOTY (other players on the team have stepped up on that end, of course, but he's been the main factor of one of the best defenses ever, as you mentioned).