Sideline Behavior Getting a Little Ugly

I love Rasheed Wallace and Stephen Jackson. And it goes without saying that I'm a big Kevin Garnett fan, too.

I love their passion for the game, love how competitive they are and don't mind that they're emotional and can lose it a little bit here and there with their tempers.

It always rubs me the wrong way when the NBA-haters out there say that the players don't care or are just in it for the money or just go through the motions.

Really? Well, if NBA players don't care, why does Wallace get so incensed over a foul call? Or why was Jackson so wound up this season that he picked up so many technical fouls he was suspended for a game -- for a team that won just 29 games?

Go ahead and try to maintain that Garnett's not into it, or that he can take or leave winning. You'd be dead-wrong. If guys didn't care they wouldn't be this demonstrative.

Now, here comes the but and it's a big one. Things have gotten out of hand this postseason. The profanity, rage and histrionics that are directed toward opponents are over-the-top and the game has suffered.

It's gotten to the point where a guy can't hit a big 3-pointer, make a nice block or even take a charge without getting up, thumping his chest and M-F'ing everybody and everything associated with the other team.

The league has the wherewithal to address the issue right now. The behavior clearly falls within the parameters of the "respect for the game" clause that was introduced a few years ago.

Kevin Garnett

Garnett also can do something immediately. He can watch tonight's Game 3 between Boston and Chicago from the United Center locker room instead of on the bench with his teammates.

We know Garnett can't help himself. And, again, that intensity is a lot of what we like about him. He's got emotion in him and it can't be held down, can't be checked. That kind of caring is what makes him one of the game's greats.

But it's too much already. The constant jutting of the chin, the nonstop profanity, and the unseemly anger directed at opponents are unnecessary and unflattering. This isn't about trying to turn every player Robert Parish, either. It's about decorum.

Garnett's sideshow is unbecoming to himself and the league. He's certainly not the only one. Everyone from Kobe Bryant to Ray Allen to Eddie House are doing it this playoff season.

But Garnett's actions are more egregious because he's not playing right now. He was caught on camera plenty of times during Game 2 getting in teammates' faces and doing it a plainly profane manner.

That's fine for the locker room or even inside the huddle. But it's an awful look when it's out in the open and front and center on your high-definition television. Yes, television deserves its share of blame in this.

Is there really a need to show Garnett, a non-participant on the court, as often as he's shown? How about more crowd and less player?

With more cameras and microphones than ever before at NBA venues, we sometimes get an ugly look at the NBA. And that's fine, in doses. But technology isn't going away so it will be up to the league and players to tone it down.

We're not sure when the clenched fist and high-five got subbed for by sneers and cursing at the top of your lungs. But we're pretty sure Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson didn't do it.

Right there's one good reason to cut it out.

Boston Celtics Photos

Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen (L) is fouled by Chicago Bulls forward Tyrus Thomas during the third quarter of Game 2 of their NBA Eastern Conference quarterfinal playoff basketball game in Boston, Massachusetts April 20, 2009.

Brian Snyder, Reuters

BOSTON - APRIL 20: Joakim Noah #13 of the Chicago Bulls scrambles for the loose ball with Glen Davis #11 and Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on April 20, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joakim Noah;Paul Pierce;Glen Davis

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Boston Celtics' Kendrick Perkins, right, and Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah fight for a loose ball during the third quarter of a first-round NBA basketball playoff game in Boston on Monday, April 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Chicago Bulls forward Tyrus Thomas puts up a desperation shot from half-court, over Boston Celtics' Eddie House, at the end of a first-round NBA basketball playoff game Monday, April 20, 2009, in Boston. The shot missed, and the Celtics won 118-115. Ray Allen (20) had scored a 3-pointer before Thomas' shot. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

BOSTON - APRIL 20: Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after hitting the game winning shot against the Chicago Bulls in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on April 20, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ray Allen

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BOSTON - APRIL 20: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics congratulates Glen Davis #11 in the second half against the Chicago Bulls in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on April 20, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls 118-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kevin Garnett;Glen Davis

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BOSTON - APRIL 20: Ray Allen#20 of the Boston Celtics follows through on a shot as Ben Gordon of the Chicago Bulls defends in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on April 20, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls 118-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ray Allen;Ben Gordon

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BOSTON - APRIL 20: Glen Davis #11 of the Boston Celtics chases a loose ball in the second half against the Chicago Bulls in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on April 20, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls 118-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Glen Davis

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BOSTON - APRIL 20: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics lays the ball in the basket against the Chicago Bulls in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on April 20, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Paul Pierce

NBAE/Getty Images