I’m not sure who’s telling the truth in this whole situation, Garnett or Villanueva, but regardless I have to agree with Doc Rivers that players shouldn’t be tweeting on court trash talk for the world to see. Is nothing sacred in this sport these days? Let the man talk some trash, and if you don’t like it, man up and take it to him on the court….
Boston coach Doc Rivers feels what is said on the court should be left on the court.
Detroit’s Charlie Villanueva took it to Twitter on Tuesday night, writing on his account that Kevin Garnett called him a “cancer patient” during Boston’s 109-86 road win.
Villanueva suffers from alopecia universalis, a medical condition that results in hair loss. He does not have hair on his head.
Garnett, known as a trash talker, stuck to his usual routine and did not speak to the media before Wednesday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks. He did issue a statement before the game. “I am aware there was a major miscommunication regarding something I said on the court last night. My comment to Charlie Villanueva was in fact: You are cancerous to your team and our league,”‘ Garnett said. “I would never be insensitive to the brave struggle that cancer patients endure. I have lost loved ones to this deadly disease and have a family member currently undergoing treatment. I would never say anything that distasteful. The game of life is far bigger than the game of basketball.”
One of Villanueva’s tweets read: “KG called me a cancer patient, I’m (mad) because, u know how many people died from cancer, and he’s tossing it like it’s a joke.”
Rivers defended his forward while wondering why someone would need to share in-game comments. “I actually heard what Kevin said. I was right there, what he really said is in the statement. I’m going to leave it at that,” he said. “I don’t like the whole tweeting thing. I’m going to state that as well. Guys talk on the court. It doesn’t mean they should or shouldn’t. The fact that we’re talking about this, it’s just silly. It really is. We had a hell of a game yesterday and we should be talking about basketball.
“Talking about what the guys said during the game, there isn’t a place. I don’t find a place for it.” Villanueva was bothered by what he thought he heard. “I wouldn’t even trip about that, but a cancer patient, I know way 2 many people who passed away from it, and I have a special place 4 those,” the message reads.
He also wrote that Garnett talks a lot but has probably never been in a fight, and he’d love to step in a ring with him.
Read more details via AP on NBA.com
