Does it bother me that KG was trash talking? No. Not at all. In fact, he's probably doing us a favor. This team needs to learn how to handle it. The fact that the Celtics were actually afraid enough of the Blazers to pull out all the psychological tactics they'd normally reserve for the playoffs is actually kind of flattering.

Do I think it got under Portland's skin and affected the performance last night? Yes indeed. It did. But that's part of the learning experience. And you can bet, with the way this team is picking things up, that they will learn from this not only how to handle themselves in such situations, but perhaps even learn how to effectively employ this as a weapon of their own.

KG actually strikes me as someone who only talks trash because he has learned that it gives him a competitive edge. If it didn't, he wouldn't say a word. In this, his attitude is similar to former celebrated trash-talkers, such as MJ, or Larry Legend. Where he differs is that he tends to save the jawing for special occasions. MJ and Larry would be jawing all game, every game, regardless. KG tends to pick his spots.

Honestly, we should thank Boston. Last night was one of the best learning experiences this team could possibly have used, and as an added bonus to the lesson in psychological warfare, this may have injected a healthy dose of humility into a team that was maybe, just maybe, starting to get a little too much ego going.

Look for the Blazers to take this game, and use it as motivation to reach that next level even faster.

Did it get under Portland's skin - I don't know about the players (I'd think not).  It certainly seemed to for a lot of the fans here.

How is KG different - I wouldn't say he is, but then I don't pay much attention to talkers. One of the things I like so much about our team.  They keep their mouths shut and let their actions speak for them.

Does it change my perception of KG - not really.  I don't know exactly what he was saying and how he was saying it.  Even if I did, at most it might cause me to lower my opinion slightly, but only because I don't think much of trash talking.  Overall I respect Garnett's game enough not to let it effect my opinion.

The best way to deal with talkers is to ignore them.  They usually hate that.

Joel said KG has been trash talking him for 8 yrs. so if it bothered Joel as someone suggested, he has never learned to deal with it which is a little disconcerting.  But I don't think the talk caused the frustration, turnovers, etc.  As I said in another thread, I don't think this team has faced anyone before who came out with the intention of pounding them into the ground. Boston wouldn't have been able to hold their heads up if we had beaten them - the Wiz? yeah cuz that was a fluke - but these young upstarts?  Show them who is best.  I don't think it was as easy as Boston hoped so they did everything they could. They were fighting for a lot more than we were last night.  (And rereading Dave's post I see I simply restated his thoughts.  Someday I'll learn to read every single word before I reply.)

Trash talking is part of the game but I think it is foolish - mainly because it can make the talker look foolish (can you say Gilbert Arenas?).  

As long as our guys learn to play through it and not get caught up in answering back (except through superb play) they'll be OK.  (It would sure as #$@&%& wreck my concentration, but then I'm a sensitive shy 98# weakling.)

My biggest concern from last night was the cussing in front of the Blazers.  They are the youngest team in the league, and I feel they are too young to be exposed to those kinds of words.

But KG is a punk nonetheless. If the Blazers were giving him attitude in his house, then maybe you go off the deep end like he did last night. But if you're the only one talking, you're an jerk. When Antonio McDyess tried to throw down with KG, KG ran. It's proof that some guys, when they go uncheck for too long, get to thinking that they're tougher than they really are.

But, it is a part of his tenacity and his demonstration of how he gets into games. And he stays out of trouble, doesn't he? This isn't a Stephen Jackson we're talking about. (Though he hasn't done anything terrible lately).

This is the reason I think KG is a punk. The yapping is one thing but this is physical intimidation and is prohibited and should be a fine or suspension and a T if the game has started

No. I was listening on the radio and did not hear or see any trash talkin'.
People talk, players talk, some times we even yell. What I do and how I react is all that I can control. I try to except what I cannot change.

--Do you think it got under Portland's skin and affected the performance last night?

Don't know.
 I only know my own experiences. I was a Baseball Player (Kendrick #9, strong armed, wide ranging, switch hitting SS) evolving into a Softball player, Fast pitch Softball Coaches Asst. for the Lady Cheesemakers), Handball, Tennis (in my Freshman Year, chose Baseball) and still playing Racquetball. Hearing distance in Baseball for me was infrequent. Usually happening with interaction with men on base. Lotta talkin' `bout leadin' and stealin', no you can't, yes I can, can't, can, I'm Fast Freddy, Fastest man on the team, no you ain't, yes I am. Liar, you da liar, no I'm not, yes you are, not, are, so on and so forth. One time I remember, because I shined. Was during a game in the rain. The infield was muddy. I was diving for grounders because I didn't what to trust my footing. Had just dove for a grounder and caught it, in the gap between the third baseman and shortstop. The opposing Team's Third base Coach yelled at me. "Can't you stay on your feet". That made me a better SS. Seems like the next hit was in the same area! I planted my right foot in the mud, trusting my cleats to dig in and turned the double (no big deal led the league). That bit o' jawin' made a BIG difference in the way I played, learning, from being pushed, in what I could do. Good Coach, Thank you Jim Bedford! So that is. Enjoyed every bit of it and in my early (Marshall/Lincoln High School, Connie Mack years, helped me grow.

Let's go to a more (one of the closest) intimate sport. Handball (Racquetball is the same) where you stand shoulder to shoulder, one on one, maybe no one else around. I was asked to play a visiting Air Force Officer, because I was the best the county could offer, ('77 State Championship got me with the scheduling. Remember showering and sleeping at my Brother-in-Laws house). He had a Z serve I couldn't hit. Never said a thing CREEPED ME OUT. I'm tying to get a return on it and can't, until it is way to late. May have or may have not thanked him for the game.  I was P.O.'d, this I remember.

    Another memory that is stuck in my mind. Frickin' Co-Ed Softball. This means both sexes play. My advice, a lot of fun but totally different emotions on the field of combat!  This is the only time I have left the fielding in a huff, unwilling to acknowledge another human beings presence! The batter is a "Lady Who Hates Me", Because of my High School Coaching. She had an arrogant (fielding Hitting SLOW PITCH daughter, who would not listen to (my daughters led Fast Pitch ways). I`m pitchin', Slow pitch, game is tied. The Mother who hate Me is up to bat. I'm droppin' the ball, dead center, right behind the plate. Ump's callin' "BALLS". Bases are loaded (why? Don't remember. Probably my fault, maybe why I'm in. The Mother takes four called balls. That are droppin' behind the plate! We lose the Game! I am so P.O. that someone would take a win on walks, in a Slow Pitch Game, that I walk off the field, get my gear and acknowledge, NO ONE, NO HOW.

My daughter played her first Jr. High, Basketball Game, last night. Gots one rebound and was 0 for 2 FGs (I'm listening to the game on an FM Radio w/an "Ear Bud"). She ran up and down the court, beyond my expectations. Never a word between her and who she was guarding. Talking to her after the game about using your butt, hips and shoulders to hold or gain position, I said to her: ask the girl you're defending, Her name, what she does, what she wants to do. Why did I suggest this? You get to bond with the people you are plying with. I also knew it would be a momentary distraction, if she listened, giving my Daughter an advantage. So is competitive sports. Enjoy and partake.

The only "In Game" comment I made, was when I heard the Mikes say that KG did Not shake the hands of the Opposing Player, like usual for him. I than made a !/2 attempt at humor comment, to a post. That KG didn't shake your hand either. So it is.

--How is KG different than other trash talkers?

Don't have the slightest idea. I know I enjoyed Gary Patton's Talkin'. It seemed to be a pleasure for him to dot this. It was done with joy and exuberance. Some times he would look as serious as hell but if you watched him long enough, there would be a smile of pleasure, on his face.

"Lenny Suckerpunch NEVER bet on me!" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow