Wily veteran Kevin Garnett continues to abuse opponents despite his advancing age. Not the abuse he unleashed during his MVP season with the Timberwolves in 2004, or his title-winning one with the Celtics in 2008. No, the type of abuse he reserves for Dwight Howard, or — more speculatively speaking — Carmelo Anthony.
With less than a minute before halftime in Tuesday night’s Pelicans-Timberwolves tip, Garnett appeared to get entangled with Ryan Anderson as the latter was running back up the court on offense. The initial call was a foul on Anderson, but the officials eventually ran back the play after the Pelicans — justifiably, it turns out — complained.
You see, KG had just smacked Anderson in the face.
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When the officials ran it back, it actually gets worse — at least if you’re a Pellies fan. The Big Ticket actually tried to initiate contact with Anderson as he ran up court, but after Garnett extended his elbow and braced for a collision, Anderson squeezed past him and avoided the contact. Well, for a couple seconds at least.
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But, again, Garnett was given the three throws!*
That’s because the call on the floor was a foul on Anderson. After the officials spent a few minutes looking at multiple angles on the replay we guess they didn’t think Anderson showed enough effort trying to avoid Garnett’s flailing left arm.
The Pellies got the last laugh, winning 114-99, but Anderson didn’t play well at all, shooting just 1-of-6 from the field for seven points and three rebounds in 27 minutes. It’s likely KG’s actions were at least partially responsible.
*He missed the first one, perhaps the greatest Ball Don’t Lie in history. ‘Sheed would’ve been ejected if he were playing for the Pellies.
