so, by this logic, Steve Carlton (or as I like to spell it, Steve Carleton) is the best pitcher in Twins team history.

A perfectly good bit blown because my data was flawed.

The controversy began when Dennis Rodman, a Piston rookie, said in the locker room that Bird was ''very overrated'' and that he had won three straight most valuable player awards only ''because he was white.'' Moments later, Thomas, told of Rodman's remarks, said he ''had to agree with'' him. ''Larry Bird is a very, very good basketball player,'' he said. ''But if he was black he'd be just another guy.''

So is KG's pick of Telfair now known as "The Steal II" in Boston?

I died a thousand deaths watching the 76ers not quite make it up the mountain. Then, they got Moses and he took them to the Promised Land. Yeah, baby.

I only caught the tail end of Bird's career, but he was, and still is, quite popular in Indiana. I remember when he retired and they broadcast the ceremony putting his number in the rafters when I was in 2nd(?) grade. Everyone was exhausted at school the next morning because it ran way past bedtimes, but all the teachers understood why.

Me, too. I think just about anyone outside of New England loved the Doctor more than Bird. Which may be at least partly why Bird was somewhat underappreciated in his day. Was it Isiaih Thomas who said Bird would be considered just another good player if he weren't white? I don't think he was speaking only for himself. Maybe Cornbread was one of those who privately agreed.

I think it's amusing how in the last paragraph, where the writer recounts plays in crunchtime which illustrate "many of the attributes that make Garnett a player for the ages," the complete series of feats includes, 1) returning to the game after 'an inadvertant punch in the nuts,' which qualifies here as an "amazing ability to surmount all manner of injuries," 2) setting a high screen for Ray Allen--though wasted, the writer notes, when Allen "promptly blows the layup" (why, oh why, are KG's teammates always letting him down?) but, 3) KG still gets credit for Perkins' putback because "the Wolves are so concerned with Allen-Pierce-KG" that apparently Perkins' role in his own rebound and basket were nothing but a snap, and 4) in the last second KG stole the ball from the normally unstoppable force that is Sebastian Telfair. Goodness, me.

They still had to get past those very good Sixers teams or the Bad Boys of Detroit to even reach the Finals. Plus, there should be no shame in losing twice to the "Showtime" Lakers.

I was a Dr. J guy, myself.

Uh, not really. Bird's career averages: 24.3/10.0/6.3. Throw in 3 consecutive MVP awards, 2 MVP Finals awards (in '86 his line was 24/10/10) and two rings. Garnett is a better defender than Bird, but don't forget (and this surprised me) Larry Legend was second-team All-NBA Defensive team three times.

KG is a great ballplayer, but Maxwell's statement seems rather rash. I'm curious how that quote was received in New England.

(it should be noted, I've always hated the Celtics and I didn't like Bird. I was a Dr. J guy.)

Best line of the article.

I'm abstaining on whether or not KG is/was/ever-will-be better than Bird, though.

Whaaaa?!! KG has barely played 40 games in a Celtics uni.

I think Chief musta sent Cornbread some good reefer...