Thursday, August 20th, 2009 at 3:45 pm  |  145 responses

Links: Win Signed KG Stuff!

Plus, how can Orlando improve?

by Lang Whitaker

Fri-day! OK, it’s actually Thursday, but I’m traveling tomorrow and out of the office, so this is my last post for the week here. And we’ve got something very cool to give away…

• I went to a charity benefit thing last night and got to see an advance screening of Inglourious Basterds, which was really, really, really good. Check it out this weekend.

(And FWIW, Omar promises we’re going to get his blockbuster summer movie review tomorrow. Gangsta!)

• Yesterday I was thinking ahead to the SLAM NBA Preview, and I tweeted my initial Top 5 teams to get some reaction. I went with, in order, the Lakers, the Cavs, the Magic, Denver and Boston.

A lot of people thought Denver should be replaced with San Antonio, and maybe they should be. I just thought Denver became such a tenacious defensive team late last season, like they all finally bought into defense winning games, and I suspect that will carry over into this season. I know they lost Dahntay Jones and Linas Kleiza, who were important for them last year, but I don’t think those guys were irreplaceable. And that Kenyon/Nene/Birdman rotation in the post is for real.

The other question I got a lot of was how I could drop Orlando behind Cleveland, considering Orlando picked up Vince Carter, Brandon Bass and Jason Williams, which will seriously upgrade their bench. As I noted, yes, Orlando added better players. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they became a better team. I think that’s still up in the air. My man Kelly Dwyer said, “Name a team that added better players that didn’t improve? Don’t say 2000-01 Blazers, because they didn’t add better players.”

It’s a good point, but I have seen it happen, multiple times, even with my own Atlanta Hawks. When they added JR Rider? Didn’t get better. Moses Malone and Reggie Theus? Nope. In ’03-04, the Hawks added Stephen Jackson, who ended up leading the team in scoring, but they lost seven more games than the year before.

Yes, Orlando’s roster is unquestionably better than it was a year ago. But has Dwight Howard learned to shoot? Will Vince be able to fill in for Turkoglu? My other thought about Orlando is that it’s going to be really hard for them to improve. They won 59 games last year and went to the Finals. The only way they improve on that is by winning at least 60 games in an arguably better Conference, or by winning a championship. That’s it. And that, to me, seems like a pretty slim margin for improvement.

• I don’t know much about him, but it seems Nets CEO Brett Yormark could sell water to a well. (Or a whale, for you olski wolski LInkstigators.)

Not only are the Nets retaining all their sponsors from last season, but they also have 10 new sponsors? Imagine if the Nets were good!

• Here’s a funny video clip from the Howard Stern Show that Jimmy Traina ran today on Hot Clicks…

• And the guys from FreeDarko found this mesmerizing clip of 8 mm NBA footage from the ‘70s.

Some great Wilt Chamberlain footage about a third of the way in. It’s well worth watching on full screen mode.

kg1• And finally, we have a contest. You may recall a few years ago, in Kicks 9, Kevin Garnett outed himself as a soccer fan. I’d heard that on a recent trip to Asia, KG had brought along his Xbox 360 and played FIFA the entire time. “I’m into Zidane with France, I’m a big Raul fan,” KG said. “Deco! Those are my guys.”

At the time, KG was more of a fan of FIFA than actual soccer (he was stumped when I asked him about Fernando Torres), but since then he’s apparently become a real futbol fan, and one of his favorite clubs is Chelsea FC. (I am trying really hard to not make a joke right here about how being a Chelsea fan reflects on KG’s taste. But I digress.)

To honor KG’s love for Chelski, adidas is dropping the adidas TS Commander LT x KG x CFC pack. It comes with a Chelsea version of the adidas TS Commander, a Chelsea jersey with Garnett 5 on the back (in the official EPL font, which is kinda fresh) and a Chelsea scarf. It will be mad limited and will only be available in Boston at Bodega.

That is, unless you’re a SLAMonline reader. I’ve got a Chelsea/Garnett jersey as well as one of the shoes autographed by KG sitting here on my desk.

Do you want ‘em? You can have ‘em. Seriously. Here’s how: Drop a comment down below and tell us why you deserve this KG swag.

That’s it. You’ve got until noon on Monday, when I’ll close the comments and pick a winner.

Have at it…

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  • http://www.slamonline.com Myles Brown

    Actually I demand this. Consider it reparations.

  • DDenuci

    In the vintage video clip from the 1970′s, why does is it titled NBA Finals Baltimore Bullets vs Philadelphia Warriors ? These two teams never played each other in an NBA finals.

  • chintao

    When I wake-up in the morning, I bark at my three-year-old son. When I have sex with my wife, I curse liberally. Before I go to sleep, I howl at the moon. Gimme’ that f@ckin’ kit.

  • Shayan Jaffer

    I should win becasue like KG, im a black guy who likes soccer

  • chintao

    By the way, nice analysis on Orlando. I fully agree. That’s not to say that it will happen, but it is one of the more likely scenarios. “Jimmy ran a Traina hot girls….” That could give dysletics fixs.

  • Joe A

    None of us really deserve this; I’m sure we are all in reasonably good health, and have places we can go home to. But I really want this.I’ll try to keep this short as I’m sure no one wants to read a 3,000 word soliloquy about want an inspiration KG was to me during my younger days, but KG had a profound affect on my life. He made me realize that trying hard isn’t enough, you need to be passionate. He brings the same brooding intensity to every game he plays ( and after seeing this years play-offs, he brings it to the games he doesn’t play in as well). It is that passion that makes him one of the greatest players ever to play the game. It is that passion that brought banner 17 to the Celtics ( that’s another reason why I like the man.) It is that passion that makes me so passionate about everything I do in my life.

  • http://thesportsdiaryonline.blogspot.com Roy

    Basketball may be the number 1 sport here in the Philippines but suffice to say, we love soccer here, too. I’m not only a hoops fan but also an avid soccer aficionado as well. I’m a huge KG fan since he was drafted by the T-Wolves in ’95 (please correct me if I’m wrong),I feel I deserve that dope KG swag. Should I be chosen to win the signed KG stuff, that would be my first prize ever. I’d be honored if I do win it. Being one of the few Filipino Kevin Garnett fans here is an honor itself. Whatever criticisms come KG’s way, I would still be proud supporter of him. :)

  • http://thesportsdiaryonline.blogspot.com Roy

    Basketball may be the number 1 sport here in the Philippines but suffice to say, we love soccer here, too. I’m not only a hoops fan but also an avid soccer aficionado as well. I’m a huge KG fan since he was drafted by the T-Wolves in ‘95 (please correct me if I’m wrong),I feel I deserve that dope KG swag. Should I be chosen to win the signed KG stuff, that would be my first prize ever. I’d be honored if I do win it. Being one of the few Filipino Kevin Garnett fans here is an honor itself. Whatever criticisms come KG’s way, I would still be proud supporter of his. :)

  • that dude

    I agree Lang, Orlando’s almost definitely going to be worse this year. Losing four major players that got you to the championship for vince carter was a stupid move. The major move they needed to make was to get a new coach.

  • http://shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ Tariq

    I love KG, who has been one of my 2 favorite players for a decade. And I love futbol, which is the song of my heart. And yet, I don’t want this “prize” because I wouldn’t be caught dead in a fuc*ing Chelsea jersey. Too bad KG doesn’t like Barca.

  • G I I

    Lang – I need that Garnett SWAG. Cause I know that if KG forgets your name, he calls you “Ice”.

  • http://yahoo.com Logues

    i aint gonna lie, i hate soccer, but i deserve this cause i had a dream the other night that i actually won something from a slamonline contest, please make it come true. i know, feeble attempt right

  • http://www.slamonline.com Pardeep

    I deserve this SWAG because I supported KG through his whole career and I have been a die hard Chelsea fan for years. I supported him from the day he was The Kid straight out of highschool ready to change the game forever. KG taught me a lot of life lessons. KG taught me to be real, be passionate, work hard. When he won that ring he waited for so long I learned that good things will always come to those who wait. Another thing I learned from Kevin was stay strong and keep your head up through hard times. I learned this from him because in Minnesota other than individual accolades Garnett was going through some hard times because he had no help there and was losing every year. It was so fun watching Kevin dominate games but it would really piss me off when he lost those games. Other than Allen Iverson I think Kevin was the most deserving of that Ring. He is a legend and I have watched him my whole life and loved his style. He even taught me some on court lessons like how to get in your opponents head just by looking scary and talking smack. Kevin taught me how hard you have to work to win and if you want success and want to accomplish your goals you have to give it all you got and if you fail get back up, keep your head up and try even harder. He taught me eventually hard work is guarnteed to pay off. Another major reason I deserve this is because Basketball is my first sport and it really pisses me off when I play soccer with the guys at the park how they say basketball is not phyiscal and how it’s boring. I still like soccer and am a die hard Chelsea fan and it would be cool rocking these to afternoon soccer games at the park and doing Garnett like things (cussin,giving dirty looks,dominating, playing with passion) with Garnetts name on my back. Everyone thinks that I can’t play soccer just because I have baggy shorts and rock a basketball jersey and I always get laughed at and doubted just like Kevin did when he came into the league. I deserve this SWAG just like Kevin deserved that ring. SLAM I need this more than anyone out there. Proving people wrong who doubt you and piss you off your whole life is priceless just like this stuff. Kevin knows how priceless proving people wrong is. Peace

  • http://www.curtin.edu.au I Like Blazers

    Give it to me because I am pretty poor (I couldn’t renew my subscription!), my basketball shoes dont fit me so I need some more, my best friend loves football and I owe him a present, and a jersey would be a perfect present and because FIFA is freaking awesome (Be A Pro mode is addictive). Also because KG is a badass who exudes passion, which anyone who loves any sport should respect.

  • Lonnie Long

    I cant honestly say I actually deserve the KG gear more than any other SLAM reader, but I do try to treat people good, I always say thank you and please, I love children and respect my elders, so I am hoping that my karma is good enough to get the KG gear…please?

  • jose

    i deserve This due to the fact that i love basketball.and used to be one of those people who never thought much of soccer.i used to be like the rest of the nation who didnt give any attention to soccer.When i learned of how many NBA players were obssessed with the sports…(the the steve nash’s,the kobe’s the kg’s)it made me want to oppen my mind to the sport and what it had to offer.the game was exciting, exhillarating, and the players were so passionate about the sport.and that grabbed me and sucked me into the sport that is known as futbol.so i deserve this because i am 1 of those few that changed my thought about the game of soccer…to the point where it is my second passion(to basketball of course)…

  • JMac

    I think the KG gear should go to me as I have respected KG’s game ever since he blew up into superstardom in Minneapolis. I like the guy and would really like to get something memorable from a guy who plays bball with much passion. Also, I like soccer, but no offense, basketball is still the game to beat. (and KG’s name looks good in any color, am I right?)

  • Rnz

    Because Im from Indonesia..a country full of soccer enthusiasts, and I myself is a NBA fan..been a big fan of KG since day one..and that my country just had another bomb attacks a few weeks ago, so you know..im kinda pissed right now and winning this will make me feel a whole lot better.

  • http://www.yamahyouth.com Gerwin

    Man, just to walk through the cities in The Netherlands, people turning around and looking again to see what name is on the back of the shirt… Only the real fan will recognize and give props. The rest of the world is left wondering.
    Lang, just to see al those faces, I would love to recieve it.

  • doyouwantmore

    Turkoglu was big, big, big for the Magic. Top five underrated player, for sure. Go Raps!

  • serevei

    well put it this way… in australia soccer is the fourth “football” sport behind both rugby union, rugby league and Australian football… Basketball is also one of the least popular sports in australia…(have you seen the nbl recently?????) myself though am a big fan of both Basketball and soccer (sorry football) and really keen on the new A-League.. (go nq fury)… so yeh… i think a true fan of both sports in a country where both sports are marginalized deserves this prize. thanks…

  • DD

    I deserve the KG pack cuz I’m a black guy born and raised in Japan. Not a legit reason? I know. I just want the stuff.

  • MC Pats

    KG, one of the greatest of the era, fiercest competitor in the NBA. Also one of the greatest defensive players ever. A great man who I think doesn’t get enough appreciation. A man who appreciates sport. Anyone who appreciates sport knows being a fierce competitor not just a good player, that makes you worth being a superstar. It’s go hard or go home. Aussie basketball is smaller than soccer over here but i still play and also play like KG as well.

  • the rod

    i could tell you a whole lot of good reason why i deserve the chelsea jersey: i could tell you i love kg, that he is my favourite player since i was a child, that i live in europe (italy infact) and therefore my football knowledge and passion gives me a birthright to everything football related…but that would be just b*llshit. The reason why i WANT this jersey with Garnett name on its back is because i absolutely HATE the man (what is he on, crack, when he plays??relax man!life is good!), and i absolutely HATE the team!(Those f***ing british even stole our coach, MR Ancelotti this year!!!). Therefore slam please give me the jersey so i can use it to dress a Voodoo puppet, and give more power to my black magic against them!!

  • the rod

    ok again as i see it hasn’t been posted the first time: i could tell you that the reason i deserve the chelsea jersey with KG name on its back is because KG is my favorite player, my idol since i was a child, the player i mold my self after, and that being european (Italy) my football knowledge and skills give me an advantage compared to my US counterparts, that football is born here and so on…but that is just plain BS.The reason i WANT the jersey is because i absolutely HATE the man (have you seen him play? What is he on when he plays,Crack? He is the epitome of the unfair play) and moreover i absolutely HATE the team( those F***ing Brits stole my coach this year, MR Ancelotti!!!). Therefore i NEED the jersey so to give it more power when i’m gonna use it to dress the already prepared voodoo doll!!!

  • karan

    chelsea sucks

  • LOAF

    i deserve this chelsea gear because i am from the UK and Football is our number one sport, yes football not soccer FOOTBALL. also i work in an office where there is a hardcore chelsea fan who works with me, who constantly takes the piss out of me for following basketball rather then our true sport of Football, so i would take the upmost pleasure in waving this limited edition gear in his SMUG FACE. also i have been a KG fan since i can remeber getting into basketball, because over here we get limited basketball on TV because its such a minor sport over here. i used to have to stay up till like 1am in the morning to watch a live game once a week and who did i watch on a regular basis? none other then the weak ass minny T Wolves who were constantly getting carried by the man that is KG, they were the first games i watched and i was like who is the massive dude basically running the team!?!?!
    send this prize to a true football fan and a true English person!

  • http://www.tomat3.de chris

    I need that stuff because i might be the only Chelsea Support in all Germany.

    To not leave me standin arround naked, you need to dress me!

  • http://ballislife.com Moose

    I deserve this prize because of the links between the way KG and I play the game of basketball and soccer. In the game of basketball, Kevin Garnett plays every game like it’s last, with passion that is unmatched. I play the same way on the soccer field, running around, screaming to teammates, never taking a possession off. Garnett’s defense on the basketball court is supreme, a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate. On the soccer field, at fullback or center back, I try to do the same, get the defensive side of the field fully functioning at all times. Garnett is a team player in the hoops setting, the rest of his team can count on him not hogging the ball or not giving his teammates free will. Passing always comes first to me when I play soccer, reminding myself to do my job on the field and let others do their job. Garnett has been playing hoops since he was a kid, loving it the whole way through. While I played soccer in Kindergarten and took a break until sixth grade, I have been playing as hard as I can the two years since. I try to emulate Kevin Garnett’s play on the basketball court, and I try to bring that same intensity to a different game that I am almost as passionate about. That’s why I deserve this crossover-sport prize.

  • http://www.anwilson.blogspot.com rainman10

    I am not here to say I deserve to get this free swag more than anybody else. Just here to let you know don’t be hesitant to show some love to your boy who recently started a blog. Its weak I know, but the site is coming around, so check it out from time to time. Been readin since the Bron/Bassy cover back on 68 I think it was. Keep up the good work.

  • http://www.mynameinblue.blogspot.com Hisham

    Look man, I’m such a fan of KG that different variations of his name and jersey number have been my password for everything since, like, 1997. I live in a soccer country, so to combine the two is an incredible look

  • http://www.mynameinblue.blogspot.com Hisham

    Moose wins. I don’t even want it anymore. Chelsea sucks, come on KG pick a better side to support man.

  • http://www.mynameinblue.blogspot.com Hisham

    and J. Singh’s post is so long that i had to roll the scroll button four times to read it all the way through. Fail

  • http://www.mynameinblue.blogspot.com Hisham

    although it is pretty f’ucked up that you got robbed

  • SA

    I, like KG, harrass point guards by clapping my hands in front of their faces as they attempt to bring the ball up court.

    I also bark at undersized power forwards, and show my manhood by elbowing men while the refs aren’t looking and then throwing my hands up like nothing has happened.

    Do I need this swag? No. I will steal it from under your desk, and leave a thank you note.

  • Joe

    I deserve this KG gear because I wouldn’t burn it and I wouldn’t trash it. I’ll be honest and say that I’ve never been much of a soccer fan, and I would never wear a soccer (futbol?) jersey…unless it was a KG one! I’d follow Chelsea and actually watch their games. Think of it as turning night into day.

  • http://www.anwilson.blogspot.com rainman10

    dont mention undersized power fowards as if KG doesnt do the same stuff to everybody. I seen him get in Shaqs face, Duncans face, tangle with Rasheed and trade elbows with Big Ben and the new superman. That being said KG can do all that clapping and yelling while still being the best in the league at guarding every position on the court. Need someone to stick Billups and switch onto Nene…get KG. Need a man to rotate off Howard to catch Rashard in the corner..get KG. The big ticket takes versital to a whole new level. KG is universal.

  • http://www.anwilson.blogspot.com rainman10

    ya that’s versatile*

  • Taranvir Sandhu

    The reason why i feel i should win this amazing package is because i am a true fan of both soccer and basketball. The only two sports i have ever played are basketball and soccer. My favourite team is also Chelsea. With players like Didier Drogba, Joe Cole, Terry, Lampard, and Ballack, that have helped me enjoy the game. Im also a big fan of KG, and what he has done to this industry. I remember times, when he was a Timberwolf, and i would always play as him in NBA Live 01. Now, hes on the Celtics, and is still rising. I have a lot of enjoyment watching both Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League, and Celtics in the NBA. With this package, it has one of the NBA’s greatest players and it has a great football team. This is contrasting, because two different sports, but it shows the love and sportsmanship between atheletes. This jersey is very unique and shows history, and any person with this should be grateful.

  • http://www.anwilson.blogspot.com rainman10

    ya thats versatile*

  • Chris

    I’m a huge Celtics fan who’s followed them my whole life and sat in the upper-deck throughout the Pitino and ML Carr eras. I also became a huge soccer fan following the 06 WC and love Chelsea and particularly Michael Essien (#5). I would love to have my favorite soccer teams jersey with one of my favorite Celtics name on it.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Peter F.

    I deserve to win this package because I will rock this whole set everywhere I go. Like a little kid who won’t take off that Superman costume, and wears it to the supermarket, school, and practice.
    I live in Boston and plan on buying tickets to numerous games this season and I will be in full force screaming “Ole Ole Ole Ole” during timeouts and screaming “fielddd gooooooooooool” when Garnett dunks all over the Eastern Conference.

  • TJ

    If i win this i am going to be the happiest dude alive, MAN n I look fresh in it! So hook your boi up, hahah!

  • ciroqobama

    I deserve this because I wrote less than J.Singh

  • JWeier

    The reason I should win this prize is because ANYTHING IS POSSIBLEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

  • http://hardwoodhoudini.com T-ster

    I deserve this swag because I’m too cheap to buy it myself but care too much to not eve try.
    I’m a middle school social studies teacher that coaches a 7th grade basketball team. I would display this stuff up everyday at practice because it is so over the top and ridiculous that it would be a great picture– 12 7th graders playing hoops and underneath the hoop is this crazy stuff signed by KG.

    Give me the stuff just for the picture.

  • blackjack

    I am a lifelong Celtics fan and have loved KG since he entered the league. Now I’m a recent college graduate who is unemployed and living with his parents. My life sucks and has no meaning. Winning this KG gear would give me something good in my life and may be a sign of better things to come.

  • MattM

    Hey Lang,
    I would be really pumped to receive this swag. I have been a KG fan since he came into the league. The first SLAM magazine I ever bought was the Showbiz and KG cover and I’ve been a SLAM supporter ever since. I remember all of the years in Minny when they lost in the first round. I remember the year that KG won MVP and they got out of the first round. When they beat Sacto in the second round that year I stayed up super late making a t-shirt with the date, the score, KG’s stats, his number and name on the back, and MVP on the arm because I was so pumped to stick it to my friend who was a Chris Webber/Sacto lover and KG hater. I couldn’t list all of my KG/SLAM memories. When he got traded to Boston I was crushed/pumped because he was leaving Minny but joining a contender. I got chills watching his postgame interview after they won the championship. I really don’t think there will ever be another player that I support as hardcore as KG. Hook me up.

  • Paddy

    i hate kg but give me the jersey anyway

  • JDH21

    Being from Chicago liking KG is almost second nature. His tenacity and heart are inspiring to any athlete. My ties to Garnett go deeper than just Chicago though. I was actually born in Minnesota in the twin cities, and moved to Chicago when I was 8. I have grown up on KG my whole life practically and he has been a great inspiration for me. When my beloved Bulls had the chance to get him a few summers ago and did not, it devastated me. My favorite player coming back for a homecoming to his home town seemed too perfect.

    Kevin speaking about his admiration for soccer sais a great deal about his character. Soccer is a very under appreciated sport in the United States and deserves a lot more publicity. These players are elite athletes and deserve proper recognition. As you mentioned in the article Fernando Torres who is nicknamed El Niño, yes he is also nicknamed the kid, is a world class athlete. Just like KG, El Niño competes on the worlds highest stage, and is one of his sports biggest superstars. KG’s sportsmanship and mutual admiration for the worlds biggest game is awesome. I don’t think Soccer will ever get the attention it deserves in the United States, but efforts like this from KG will certainly help.

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