BOSTONKevin Garnett is known for having an all-around game that causes problems for opponents at both ends of the floor.
For most of his career in Minnesota, that all-around game included the 3-point shot.
However, it seemed to have not made its way out East when KG became a Celtic; that is, until recently.
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Among the positives Boston takes from its 98-80 win over Memphis, is that it was also the third straight game in which Garnett hit a 3-pointer. That hasn't happened to KG since December of 2002, which is why his recent run of making 3-pointers (he missed 25 of his previous 29 3s with the Celtics) has caught many off-guard.
A career 28.5 percent 3-point shooter, Rivers has been encouraging Garnett to look to shoot more often.
Needless to say, Rivers has been pleased with Garnett's production lately.
"He's shooting it well," Rivers said. "It's nice. Gives us another option at the end of the game. Don't tell him I said that."
Teammates have talked about Garnett essentially taking a shot now that he's always had the ability to make.
"There's pretty much nothing he can't do," said JaJuan Johnson, who had 10 points and has been an eager listener to the teachings of Kevin Garnett. "He's a real talented player, obviously. I've enjoyed watching him, growing up. I've tried to mimic some of the things that he does; just bringing the energy, intensity that he brings to the game. He can do it all, really."
That includes deflecting too much attention being paid to his 3-point shooting.
"I can shoot 3s. Y'all acting like I'm 50 and out here on one leg, and I can't," said Garnett, who was sort-of, kind-of joking about all the 3-point shooting talk. "Some nights are better than others. I'm human, I mess up. I make mistakes. But I can shoot 3s. I don't shoot 3s, because we have one of the all time greatest 3-point shooters in history(Ray Allen). We have Paul Pierce who has won 3-point shooting contest. We have other guys that can shoot 3s. That ain't my role here. My role is to get those guys open, and if you throw it to me, shoot it, dunk it, pass it, cool. I can shoot 3s. When I'm walking down the street, y'all stop acting like y'all shocked I can shoot 3s. Everybody in Boston,wherever I'm atI can shoot 3s, OK?"
Garnett, continuing his playful banter with the media added, "I can shoot 3s. Y'all acting all shocked like y'all ain't seen a black guy hit a 3 before. Hell going on with y'all? I can shoot 3s. Doc (Rivers) was yelling at me today, 'shoot, shoot, shoot!' Finally I just shot the 3. huh? that's what you want?' Man, I can shoot 3s."
But Garnett knows if it becomes something that's talked about too often that'll lead to potential expectations that every time he has the ball, fans will want to see him shoot 3-pointers.
"I don't want that," Garnett said. "Like how they used to do Scal, "shoot!!" Nah, don't do that to me. Do not do that to me, OK? I'm not on the Celtics to be out here shooting 3s. I am here to do other things; not shoot 3s. But Garnett is quick to add, "I can shoot 3s."