For a long time period, I was a huge Kevin Garnett fan. I laughed off the idea that he was totally un-clutch in the 4th quarter and that he couldn't lead a team to victory by himself. I also thought look, no one out there plays with more passion, heart, and intensity, which is all you can ask for from a guy who makes roughly the GDP of Bangladesh.

But something has definitely changed this year. I'm not sure what it is, but Garnett has become a grade-A jackass. On Friday he not only crawled up to Jerryd Bayless to mock him, but KG also went out of his way to talk crap to Bayless at the other end of the court. What in God's name are you doing taunting a guy who's only played 50 minutes so far in the NBA when you're up by 13 with 5 minutes to go?

And it's not like this is the first time this has happened either. For some reason, KG seems to have a problem with point guards. He for some insane reason got into Jose Calderon's face earlier this year too.



Anyone else in the NBA gets called for taunting in both these instances, especially in the Calderon case. I blame the refs for not doing anything, and it's pretty clear that at some point soon, KG's going to get T'd up for doing this.

But did getting a ring on his finger somehow change him? I remember watching the playoffs last year and being continually frustrated with Garnett's performance. Missing key shots and disappearing for long stretches. Nothing about him had changed in the least. The playoffs for the Celtics were about the rise of Paul Pierce, not KG. If anything, last season's playoffs confirmed what has been a growing thought in some peoples minds: that Kevin Garnett is the most expensive role player in the history of the NBA.

And you know what, I'll confirm that. He is the most expensive role player in NBA history. He couldn't get it done by himself, and forget the talk that his massive contract kept Minnesota from putting solid people around. He was never going to be the guy on a championship team. He proved that his entire career in Minnesota. The only reason he has a ring is because he was fortunate enough to play with a guy who was able to put a team on his back - one Paul Pierce.

So whatever KG, talk as much crap as you want. You are indeed a champion. But it has much less to do with you than it does with Paul Pierce. He's the real reason that banner's hanging in Boston.