Tonight's The Night. It's Gonna Be Alright.
So, it has come to this: Game 5 in the Target Center. Although not strictly an elmination game, make no mistake: Game 5 is going to determine this series.
Not only will it very likely determine which of these teams will advance, but it will also potentially define the career of Kevin Garnett.
"Say what?", you might be asking. How can one game, not even an elimination game, become a defining moment in the career of a player who is only 26? It doesn't happen often, but it does happen.
Remember Michael Jordan's struggles against the Pistons in the late '80s? The glare of six championships and the Legend of MJ obscure our view of that period of His Airness' career, when there were actually doubters, when it was really news that Jordan finally led the Bulls past the Pistons.
I think Garnett is in the same spot in his career. His overall greatness is estblished, though he still seems to have plenty of detractors who don't like his game. Those detractors exist almost exclusively because they can point to Garnett's lack of post-season success. And even as a Garnett fan, I can't seriously question their verdict. What is the value of greatness if that greatness does not propell one's team to something significant?
It is no longer sufficient cover to explain that Garnett doesn't have enough help; the Wolves aren't loaded with talent by any stretch of the imagination, but they do have enough to play toe-to-toe with the big boys, as evidenced by this 2-2 crossroads that will be breached tonight. Garnett has it all layed out on the table before him now. His teammates believe (because of KG), his teammates are playing well (because of KG), and the Lakers haven't demonstrated that they can stop the Wolves (because of KG). Now, it's up to KG and his followers to carry out the deal.
This Game 5 will define him. This is the series that has captured the national attention. Garnett has not shied away from expressing his confidence, or speaking his mind. And now, he brings his team into their home building, into what is unquestionably the largest game in his career or most of his teammates, or the franchise with which he is synonymous. To lose would be allow the perceived cracks in his armor to become even more exposed, give so much easy fodder for those who doubt his skills, his bravado, his "leadership".
"Champions," they will say if the Wolves lose, "take hold of the opportunities presented to them. Kobe and Shaq are Champions, and KG has failed yet again to carry his team to the next level." That is not to say that Garnett and company couldn't pull off another stunner and win games 6 and 7. That could certainly happen. But there is no Game 6 or 7 tonight; there is only Game 5.
Now, it is fair to ask, why is this pressure not on Wally, a virtual no-show the entire series, and a man who is making Maximum Contract Money? Why is Game 5 not the calling out of Wally? Because Wally's not a superstar. Nobody expects it from him, though they should.
But KG is different; KG is a polarizing force, the central figure of a league-wide debate that has raged for years now. Is he a star, or a fraud? Dominant player or complementary player? Even the coaches, other superstars and pundits around the league are torn on this question; some see him as the true MVP, a man of many talents and who has carried a major burden. Others see him as soft, over-hyped, shrinking from the pivotal moments of the game when the game requires him to be even larger.
How does a man average 30, 16 and 6 against the three-time champs and still get called out? If they lose, believe me, the doubters will find a way to bring KG down.
But if they win? History DOES get rewritten. Perceptions change. Jordan went from scorer to MVP to Legend. Shaq went from a joke for his inclusion on the All-Time 50 Greatest Team ("Because he never won anything...") to the pivotal player on a three-peat dynasty. When you win, there's nothing left for people to say. And winning starts with coming up big when you can grab hold of something within your reach.
And that starts tonight, with Game 5. The basketball world will be watching, waiting to see just who the real KG is.
11:17:56 AM 
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