East Rombo: The Blog with Balls

Hey there folks! Bit here. I guess you could call me the resident editor of East Rombo. I've been busy ensuring the quality the design of the site and the state of the articles here for your enjoyment. Yup, that's me; always thinking about the welfare of others. A selfless worker who toils everyday to make the lives of those around him better.

OK, so that might not be entirely true, but I can surely say that about Kevin Garnett. I've followed much of his career since he was drafted 5th overall by the Timberwolves back in 1995. I was still mostly a basketball newbie back then so forgive me for not having a good sense of his game in the earlier years of his career - all I remember was that he was damn good player, and I knew he was going to be something great.

11 seasons, 10 playoff appearances, 1 Western Conference Finals, and 1 Regular Season MVP Award, Kevin Garnett, the Kid, the Big Ticket, is nearing - or quite possibly seeing the end of - the peak of his career at the relatively young age of 30. Among active players, he actually has played more minutes in his career than everyone else except Shaquille O'Neal. Barring any major injuries (or further injury to his knees), there should be another 6-8 years of pro ball left in him. But the question remains, is it already too late for him and the Wolves?

When Stephon Marbury arrived in 1996 to team up with KG, they were touted as the next Stockton and Malone. They were dynamite. Backed-up by Tom Gugliotta (who believe it or not was a terrific player back then), they were an up and coming force in the league. They once had Terrell Brandon, Chauncey Billups, Isiah Rider (let's forget that he was crazy for a sec), and even Christian Laettner but it was never enough. Marbury sulked his way out, Brandon's legs blew up, Chauncey got away, and Rider took one serving too much of crazy. Don't ask me what happened to Googs. I mean, how the hell could you win with a guy called "Googs"? It's like trying to win when your third option's a guy named "Smush".

Now, KG's Wolves look like an even worse version of the Lakers - one superstar surrounded by mediocre talent. Kevin McHale has not done a good job. Let's face it: Babcock, Thomas, McHale... they're all in the same league (although we can argue that Thomas is taking it to a whole other level). He once had a promising Joe Smith in his lineup to control the paint with KG. BOOM. There went the Wolves' draft picks for the next few years. What made it worse was that all McHale could get in the draft picks that they did get to keep was one Wally Szczerbiak and a kid named Ndudi Ebi. Wally worked out quite well. Can't say the same about Ebi.

McHale might very well have made his last deal as Timberwolves brass when he traded away Wally, Kandi, and could've been the only real defensive bigman they've had in years, Dwayne Jones. Ricky Davis, Blount, Reed, and Banks are undoubtedly good players, but are they good enough to bring KG the gold?

KG has had enough. He's given his heart and soul to the team, to the community, and to the world. It's about time that he's given something in return.

"I have faith in Glen [Taylor] that he'll do the right thing." Notice how he didn't say "I have faith in Kevin [McHale]..."? I've read that during the offseason, one Kevin will go, and one Kevin will stay. Glen Taylor would be out of his mind to let go of the Kevin literally giving his blood, sweat, and tears with every game. C'mon Glen. Give KG and us loyal fans something.