As Gilbert Arenas proved at Wizards media day, not everything that is said at the beginning of the NBA season should be taken at face value. Here’s a sampling of what’s being said as teams open training camp this week, followed by ratings on a scale of 1 to 10 of its (A) believability, and (B) whether it actually earns any sympathy.
Boston F Kevin Garnett, coming back from offseason knee surgery » “I’m going full blast. I don’t think when you get in camp you can go half (speed) or anything like that.”
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Belief » 10. No way we’re disagreeing with KG.
Sympathy » 8. A slight deduction because the better he is, the worse the Wizards’ chances become.
Houston G/F Tracy McGrady, coming back ahead of schedule from microfracture surgery in February » “I’m here to prove to myself that I’m capable of coming back from this injury and being the type of player I want to be. If I do that, the contract will take care of itself.”
Belief » 5. Half-credit for talking only about himself.
Sympathy » 5. The Rockets were better last season without him.
Golden State G Monta Ellis, on playing along side rookie Stephen Curry » “You can’t put two small guys out there and play the one and the two. You’ve got big two-guards in the league. You just can’t do it. Yes, you’re going to move up and down but eventually the game is going to slow down. You can’t do it.”
Belief » 8. The concern is real, but this isn’t the way to temper the rookie’s expectations.
Sympathy » 3. Play a full season without getting on a moped. That buys credibility.
