The final final word

[Berry, Mark]

If there was something substantial to discuss, then I'd be happy to
discuss it. The talcum powder thing? It's in good fun, and Gorman
clearly has taken it that way. He has joked about it and is playing
along. It's an absolute non-issue and indicative of nothing about KG
other than the fact that he isn't especially original.

As for his personality ... He's hard-driving. He demands the same level
of commitment that he gives. I don't see that as a bad thing. The
statement that the young players put up with it but the veterans are
chaffing ... Well, look at our veterans. Pierce and Ray Allen both have
gotten pretty comfortable with losing over the years. Would we prefer
the team take on their personalities? They may be more fun to have an
adult conversation with, but if I'm choosing between KG or Pierce/Ray as
the team leader and guy whose personality the team assumes, I'll choose
KG every day.

Check out this great Youtube clip of KG taking over a huddle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcysHmWW5TQ

It's a far cry from Paul Pierce waving his jersey to the crowd after
being ejected from and nearly costing the Celtics a playoff game in
Indy, isn't it?

And all of this is assuming that there is any validity at all to what
Egg is saying. Have we seen a negative syllable about KG anywhere in the
press? Anything from his teammates? I don't care about fights in
Minnesota four years ago. Is there anything else? Anything from someone
who doesn't like to stir the pot on this list? 

Mark 


-----Original Message-----
From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On
Behalf Of Kestutis Kveraga Adv04
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2007 2:24 PM
To: celtics at igtc.com
Subject: RE: The final final word

--- You wrote:
I'm sorry, but I can't believe this has gone on this long. Let's talk
about Rajon Rondo developing a jump shot. Let's talk about Big Baby
taking on a bigger role. Let's talk about wrenching the ball out of
Pierce's hands at the ends of quarters and games. Let's talk about KG
being too willing to give up the ball in crunch time. Let's talk about
Ray Allen's shooting woes and whether or not they're age-related. 
--- end of quote ---

Mark,
Do you not think the personality of the team leader (which KG obviously
is)
matters?  All the stuff you mention is ultimately irrelevant if
unproductive
personality conflicts develop within the team, especially among the
stars.  
(no need to bring up Bird vs. McHale here, as that is one personality
clash that
evidently did not detract enough from their play together).  To win a
championship, the Celtics must be a TEAM. Otherwise, they'll just win
50-some
games and exit the playoffs in the 2nd round. 

The infamous powder ritual, as well as what kind of language KG uses,
are of
course of no real import EXCEPT if they indicate negative personality
traits
that could eventually result in fissures in the team. I.e., it's not
that he
swears, but how and in what situations; it's not that he throws powder
in
Gorman's face, but whether he gives a crap whether or not Mike is
playing along
or hates it.  

Saying "who gives a shit as long as he's effective [now], we're 14-2"
doesn't
really address the long-term implications of this, if any. The Spurs
have been 
successful for as long as they've been in no small part due to Duncan's
personality as a great leader and teammate. I can only hope KG's
relative lack
of success has more to do with the talent around him than with his
personality. 
Kestas





 

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