How KG's Suspension Could Be A Positive For C's

Don't look for justification for Kevin Garnett's elbow to the jaw of Quentin Richardson during the final moments of Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs, because you won't get that in this space.  Garnett should've acted differently.  He should've shown restraint.  He's a veteran leader and needs to understand the situation better.  He'll sit for Game 2 and deserves to do just that.

So how can you get anything positive out of this?

Throughout this basketball season we've heard the critics.  The Celtics play down to their competition.  They don't take care of their home court.  They have no heart!  On and on it has gone and most, if not all, can't be disagreed with.

But behind all these sentiments was one underlying theme:  "They're too old and banged up, especially Kevin Garnett.  He's just not the same.  Without the old KG, the Celtics are just working on borrowed time."

Kevin Garnett has always been known as an intimidator.  He was never afraid to mix it up and had been defined by emotion and intensity.  When the 2008 Championship Celtics were challenged, Garnett was there on the front line, thumping his chest and verbally jousting with anyone who went at him or his teammates.

Not everything he did on the court was commendable, but he was so damn good.  A seven-footer who plays All-NBA Defense, can shoot an 18 foot jump shot and passes like a Point will usually get the benefit of the doubt.

This year, mostly due to injury, Garnett didn't have the same game and in return his on court bravado was M-I-A.  The emotional lift he once provided his teammates vanished.  Well, on Saturday night against the Miami Heat, the old KG was back.

The game was there.  He had 15 points and 9 rebounds in 33 minutes.  Finishing alley oops, contesting shots, inviting contact and letting his opponents know about it.  This is what all of us Celtics fans were clamoring for and we were finally getting it.

If you believe KG's word, the incident and subsequent elbow came after Richardson was disrespecting Paul Pierce.  It was Garnett getting in the face of the opposition and sticking up for "his guy".  This was what Garnett had always done and who he is.

Did he cross the line?  Yes.  But can we also agree that the Celtics are a much better team with Garnett being his old self?  Yes.  That's why, even though he'll be missed in Game 2, Garnett could have spearheaded the beginning of a long playoff run.

Isn't that a good thing?