Empty the Bench

Boston Celtic Kevin Garnett was named the NBA’s 2007-08 Defensive Player of the Year this afternoon, and rightfully so in my mind. He was my pick for the award based not only on his individual prowess, but for the role he played in turning around the entire mindset of this team on the defensive end of the floor. Garnett finished with 493 points (with 90 first-place votes). Denver center Marcus Camby, last year’s winner, came in a distant second with 178 points and Houston small forward Shane Battier received 175 points.

Kevin Garnett Photo Credit: Icon SMI

Boston made a number of moves this offseason, including the addition of defense guru Tom Thibodeau, so we obviously can’t give all of the credit for this team’s turnaround to one player. But KG was the on-court and emotional leader who spearheaded the change in attitude that made Boston the best defense in the NBA this season. Last season the Celtics allowed 99.2 points (thirteenth-most in the league) on 46.8% FGs (seventh-highest) with 22.1 assists per game (ninth-most). This year they gave up just 90.3 points a game (second-fewest), opponents shot just 41.9% FGs and 31.5% 3PTs (both lowest in the NBA), opponents averaged 18.7 assists (the second-fewest) and Boston allowed the fewest fast-break points in the NBA. They finished with a 66-16 record, tops in the league and seven games ahead of second-place Detroit.

In addition to the team success Garnett fostered he personally averaged 9.2 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.4 steals per game. Those numbers aren’t mind-blowing, and KG’s line shrunk in nearly all volume stats this season. Keep in mind he played in only 32:47 minutes a game, mostly because the Boston defense was so suffocating that they were often coasting in the second half. Back in January I made a case for KG as the second-best individual guardian of the rim, saying:

The Big Ticket guards everybody from centers to point guards, chases people to the perimeter and camps underneath, comes from the help side and bodies up, fronts to deny the ball and keeps people out of the post. What it all boils down to: if Kevin Garnett decides he doesn’t want you to score on any given play, you’re probably not going to score.

So congrats to Mr. Garnett on the well-deserved award – but he’ll be the first to tell you it means absolutely nothing if the Boston Celtics fail to capture an NBA title this season.

Tags: Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics