Kevin Garnett is Overrated

Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves is a very good player. He stands about 7 feet tall, yet has the athleticism of a guard. But Garnett is not one of the game's all-time great players.

Garnett is the best player on a bad team. The truly great ones can at least put their team on their back and guide them to the playoffs. Over half the teams in the NBA make the playoffs, that's not too much to ask.

Essentially, despite Garnett's talent, it boils down to the fact that he's not a winner. The one year the Wolves won a playoff series, he was surrounded by playoff veteran stars Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell. Garnett's leadership qualities can justly be questioned. Minnesota is seemingly in constant disarray. KG's inability to lead a winner can possibly be traced to his lack of college experience. Whereas players such as Tim Duncan developed the skills to lead a top collegiate program over four years, Garnett was shortchanged that chance. He's had to learn on the run. It hasn't worked out for him.

During the Wolves playoff runs, I was excited to finally watch Garnett play. It is enjoyable to watch Iverson, Nash, Kidd, Shaq, Lebron and others play basketball. KG turned out to be not very flashy. He just accumulates statistics that don't influence the game as much as they appear. And he disappears towards the end of games.

Kevin Garnett is very good, just look at his numbers and his ability, but to be great in this league, you have to win. And you have to be the reason for the win.