Okay, so I don't totally believe the above, but I think it is important to get another viewpoint on this Garnett situation.

How good is Kevin Garnett?

He is essentially 22 and 13, with 47% shooting.

Go look at the stats - Zach Randolph, Chris Bosh, Elton Brand and Carlos Boozer are essentially the exact same guy statistically.

KG is a great player, but he has accomplished roughly the same as Randolph, and less than each of those other guys.

Adding Garnett would make the Lakers better, but in terms of actual statistical impact, I'm not sure that he would do a lot better than Lamar.

The team would be better, but probably still not get out of the first round in the west.

To comment specifically about the article: who cares if KG is a great guy, and Kobe is a jerk. We all deal with people at our workplace we don't like, but professionalism dictates that we find a way to get things done. NBA teams aren't high school cliques -- these guys could find a way to play basketball together, even if their personalities clash.

All your post proves is that stats (especially a limited set of stats) don't say it all. Boozer was a hell of a player in this year's tournament, but better than KG? Sloan sets up a no-brainer job for his PF and has a nice, simple pick and roll game ready-made for him to play. Boozer plays within that role and everything's fine and dandy. You can't really compare Garnett's potential value to that of formula power forwards with similar offensive statistics -- particulary doughboy Zach Randolph, who does. Not. Defend. The only player in the game who delivers equivalent value is Tim Duncan. Pau Gasol might come close, and will, if the trade to the Bulls goes through. Knocking KG is like the ancient amusement of knocking wilt Chamberlain -- I remember all those earnest dolts coming up with reasons why Wilt was, supposedly, not the greatest player in the history of the game, and not even the best center. As if.

Comparing a guy who can't even get his team to the elusive 34 win plateau (for two years running), to a 4-time MVP, and multiple ring wearer is absurd.

Knocking Wilt is impossible because he had a productive, winning career, both as an individual and later as part of a team.

Garnett has had a unproductive, losing career. In a league where having one good player is almost always a ticket to the playoffs, this guy can't even get his team to play .400 ball.

Have we really been making excuses for this guy for a decade?

Have you actually seen Garnett play? Idiot.