[msnbc/ap] Wolves owner thinks K.G. 'tanked it' last year

magnetik · Mar 18, 2008

what do you guys think??

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/23696160/

MINNEAPOLIS - Kevin Garnett never had a bigger fan when he played for Minnesota than Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor. It appears those days are over.

Taylor leveled some rare criticism at his former star on Tuesday, suggesting Garnett “tanked it” when he missed the last five games last year.

Taylor’s remarks came after practice, as the Wolves’ strong play down the stretch was being discussed. Taylor took exception to a local newspaper columnist who suggested it was time for the Wolves, who are 16-50, to start losing to improve their draft slot.

Taylor said the columnist “said a little bit last year was that we sort of like tanked it. I don’t think that. I don’t like that so much. I don’t like that.

“It was more like KG tanked it. I think the other guys still wanted to play.”

KG, of course, is Garnett, who missed the last five games of the season with a leg injury and watched his team lose its final seven games. Garnett was traded in the offseason to Boston.

The Celtics were in Houston for a game against the Rockets, and Garnett was not immediately available for comment. His agent, Andy Miller, said Taylor’s remarks were “ridiculous.”

“KG has never been questioned nor would he ever be questioned by anyone about his effort or desire to win and accomplish team success,” Miller said in a phone interview. “During his tenure in Minnesota, nothing was more important to him than bringing a championship to Minnesota.”

In his 12 seasons in Minnesota, Garnett’s effort and determination endeared him to the state’s basketball fans.

Last year wasn’t the first time the Wolves have been accused of dumping games.

Two years ago, the team shut down Garnett for the final six games, which ended with center Mark Madsen hitting seven 3-pointers in a double-overtime loss to Memphis that ultimately ensured the Wolves would hold on to their lottery pick.

They traded a first-round to the Clippers in a deal for Marko Jaric, and needed to finish with a lottery pick in the top 10 to ensure they kept it. Minnesota lost four of its last five to ensure that happened.

The Wolves aren’t the only team to come under scrutiny for tanking games in recent years. Memphis, which comes to the Target Center on Wednesday night, has received plenty of criticism for trading star Pau Gasol to the Lakers for a package of nondescript players, and Miami recently made the decision to bench Dwyane Wade for the rest of the season.

So far at least, the Timberwolves cannot be considered in that company this season They have won four of their last six games, and Taylor said it’s more important for his team to build some positive feeling going into the offseason than to worry about ping-pong balls in the lottery.

“Why are we winning? We’re winning for (the players), but the other thing is I think we’re winning for the fans,” Taylor said. “I think we have to show the fans that, what I call it, there is a plan. That we’re going to improve next year. And you can see where we were and this is where we’re going and next year we’re going to be a better team.”

With a young core including Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes and Randy Foye, there is some optimism that better days lie ahead.

Which is one reason why some fans wouldn’t mind seeing the Wolves drop a few games to end up with the No. 1 pick and a possible shot at Kansas State star Michael Beasley.

The Wolves head into Wednesday night’s game tied with Memphis and Seattle for the second-fewest wins in the league, five ahead of Miami.

Gomes, for one, prefers to try winning.

“We have to worry about the guys that are here now and who we’re playing for now,” he said. “We’re playing for the 13 guys that are on our roster, our coaching staff, and the fans here. We can’t think about who might be coming in here next year, a trade, or all that stuff. That’s out of our control.”
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durvasa · Mar 18, 2008

I think it's shameful and classless on the owner's part.

baller4life315 · Mar 18, 2008

KG can do no wrong.

FFz · Mar 18, 2008

this can either A) Motivate KG to kick our ass or B) Make him all confused and frustrated and want to go hide in a corner...

HOepfully its B.

Acedude · Mar 18, 2008

It's definitely within the realm of possibility that even someone like KG will tank a game or two in that hellhole scenario...

But the owner won't have anybody believing his story

I don't see what he's trying to accomplish here. Just deny any allegations of tanking this year and continue to lose gracefully. Bringing KG into the topic isn't gonna help the cause by any means.

durvasa · Mar 18, 2008

So what if Garnett tanked a few meaningless games at the end of the year?

And this dude acting like Minnesota never tanks games and it was all Garnett ... that's a load of crap. Does anyone remember the last game of the 2005-06 season? Mark Madsen went 1-15 from the floor and 0-7 from beyond the arc. That's the very definition of not giving a ****.

Apollo Creed · Mar 18, 2008

durvasa said:

I think it's shameful and classless on the owner's part.
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Ditto on those sentiments. Hey Minny, good luck getting marquee free agents, have fun with all the Mike James' of the league.

pippendagimp · Mar 18, 2008

If memory serves me correctly, McHale already said this shortly after the trade with Boston...

A_3PO · Mar 18, 2008

Acedude said:

I don't see what he's trying to accomplish here. Just deny any allegations of tanking this year and continue to lose gracefully. Bringing KG into the topic isn't gonna help the cause by any means.
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Quoted for truth.

g1184 · Mar 18, 2008

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Glen Taylor tanked it the first 11 years and 77 games.

heypartner · Mar 18, 2008

If you want to avoid looking like you're tanking, you have to devote a lot of your career to developing a resume of ineptitude mixed with believable denial.

Do you see anyone claiming that Isiah and NY are tanking?

MayoRocket · Mar 18, 2008

I don't think you can really question Garnett's desire to win. I think KG has a alot of flaws (sure seemed like he didn't want to ball in the end of the 4th Q last night), but I don't think you can question his desire to win.

Invisible Fan · Mar 18, 2008

I liked the insider's view from that other Glen Taylor story printed months ago, but this guy's gotta know when to shut his mouth.

shipwreck · Mar 19, 2008

i didn't think it was possible but being a wovles fan just got MORE embarrassing. what a lame duck franchise with lame duck management. even if the ownership believes KG tried to sabatoge the wolves by trying to score for the other team, let the people be the jury. everybody knows that KG tanked it the same way the spurs did to get Duncan, the same way the celtics did last year, the same way the Heat are doing as we speak. just shut up, keep it to yourself and worry about who you are going to use your next 15 lottery picks on.

i don't like kg personally, but the fire is obviously there. i don't like what 'slack' the media mainstream gives him. i think he is given credit that he hasn't earned as a TOP tier, elite player. there are lots of stars in the league, what has kg done to ensure his legacy as one of the greatest of our era? i'm not really arguing that he for sure, ISN'T an absolute top 5 player, rather i'm arguing that he should be given more criticism. tmac is constantly lambasted for his shortcomings, kobe is also closely scrutinized. it seems that lebron, kg, and ai all get a free pass into the nba's 'fave 5'.

RoxSqaud · Mar 20, 2008

He tanked it yep...........Nows hes with the celtics........Good move on his part

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[msnbc/ap] Wolves owner thinks K.G. 'tanked it' last year

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