In the words of Marc Jackson: "Mama, There Goes That Man."
Honestly, I never knew quite what the hell Marc was talking about when he said that, until last night, because after KG's ridiculous (nay, RIDICULOUS) performance, and then just absolutely eviscerating the Hawks owner, well there's really not much else that can describe it.
Remember that old knock on KG, back when he came over from Minny? That he couldn't be the man when the team needed a win, he was too deferential, and a slew of other cliches? While I'm pretty sure those were dismissed a few years go, just in case there was any lingering doubt, KG just went out there and put up on a vintage performance. Actually, vintage doesn't really do it justice, it implies that he's had games of that magnitude before, and I don't think that's the case. 28 Points, 14 Rebs, 5 Blocks!, 3 Steals...just an all around masterpiece, all in a close out game.
I'm not saying through out his career he hasn't had games like that, hell he had seasons where he averaged close to those numbers, but to throw that out there in a close out game, where you're getting nothing from Ray Allen, where Paul Pierce is valiantly battling but clearly doesn't have it, where the team absolutely crumbled whenever you left the floor...That's special. Even with a championship in the bag and the fact that this was just a first round game, that's still special.
And another thing, we're all wondering about what will happen with Ray and KG next year, and who really knows what will end up happening. But I'll tell you this, KG's old man game won't quit. He's got skills on top of skills, as they say. That shake and bake turn around? I'm pretty sure he'll be able to get that shot off until the day he dies. That 18 footer? Butter. Those occasional glimpses of his young kid hops, when he skies for a lob or comes out of no where for a block? Still there despite several knee issues. And that sheer tenacity on defense...not his usual spectacular defense, but those minutes at a time where he really digs in and decides he's going to defend whoever has the ball, regardless of position...Body'ing centers, bullying undersized forwards, limbs dangling and draping all over point guards, those are some of my favorite moments to watch. I don't think its a ridiculous argument to say KG is the defender of his generation, and even if his game slips a little in the next couple years, he'll still be at an elite level compared to most NBA big men.
What I'm saying is, I'd probably pay him. A couple years, convince him to go a little short on the money and retire a Celtic, they'll need to retool, but if he takes a discount they'll have the cash to do it and the roster to take a couple more runs.
