Thursday, June 19, 2008
Kevin Garnett's Post Game Interview: A Translational Breakdown
Well, the entire thing was crystal clear to me. Call me enlightened, but I was not confused at any moment during the entire interview or the subsequent playbacks. Maybe it’s because I have a ton of common sense and look at things as simply as possible. Or perhaps it just means I’m an absolute genius. No matter, I’ve felt the burden to break down the interview for everyone who may not understand it.
For best results, watch the different time segments in conjunction with the corresponding translation. Yes, it does require a bit of work. Stop being such a lazy bastard. Cue the video!
0:00 Garnett is seen at the beginning the video, holding his hands on each size of his head. It appears he’s squeezing it. He probably feels a little Outer Limits at this point and doesn’t believe what’s going on is actually going on. I sometimes do this as well, but only when I’ve been drinking.
0:07 Garnett begins his speech with a “I’m so hyped right now.” Easily understandable. The man is very hyped! Pretty much everyone who has won an NBA title could probably relate to this statement. I mean, even I said that back in '92 when I won my class spelling bee..
0:22 Garnett goes on to say “Anything is possible!” He then screams it. What he’s trying to convey here is just as it sounds. Anything is possible, kids. Anything. Some people have expressed confusion over this comment and wondered what he meant, since the Celtics had the best regular season record. What Garnett was likely trying to express was his journey from a high school draftee, to his stay in Timberwolves purgatory, followed by his role in helping the Celtics win an NBA title a year after being the worst team in the league.
0:32 Garnett has been mumbling some stuff under his breath, none of it being too coherent. I think I heard a ‘momma’ somewhere in there, too. What he was likely doing here was quickly expressing some things he didn’t want to say directly into the microphone. Just because your being interviewed doesn’t mean you have to share EVERYTHING with the microphone. Common knowledge.
0:42 Garnett is crying at this point. You don’t need to be a genius to realize that these are tears of joy and also because he hasn’t slept more than a couple of hours this past month. He’s probably really, really looking forward to getting some shuteye. So it’s probably a mixture of those two things.
1:02 This is where all the shout outs start. It doesn’t make too much sense in trying to understand exactly what he’s saying here. He’s giving shout outs to all of his friends and family throughout the country. I know some of my friends have some pretty crazy nicknames that wouldn’t make too much sense if I was trying yell them during a live interview. “Snyder! Scally! Everybody!!!” It’s also interesting to note that Garnett is clutching his hat here as well, almost as if he thinks it might fall off. Again, the entire thing is probably very surreal. It’s not out of the question to think that Garnett may have thought that if his hat fell off, he would wake up and realize this was all just a dream. Yeah, that’s a logical conclusion, let’s go with that.
1:12 Still some shout outs going on here. Then there’s another shout out to his mother, with this one coming through loud and clear as he looks at the camera. That’s the official one. You ALWAYS have to shout out your mom if you ever win anything significant and then get interviewed on live television. Yes, dad’s get the shaft somewhat here, but they care more about the actual title where the mom’s care more about their kid being interviewed on live television. So a clear mom shout out here. Very nice.
1:22 This part is the already infamous “Top of the world” part. Kevin doesn’t elaborate very much on his top of the world screams, but seriously, do you need him to? He’s on the top of the world! That means he’s happy, he’s done what he’s wanted to do most for his entire life. He’s on the top of the world in every sense, probably even in his perception of reality. Garnett looks so intense here he very well could be thinking this interview is actually being conducted atop of our world. It's a Big Ticket world, we just live in it.
1:37 There’s some more references here of not being able to sleep, then a quick shout out to Ray Allen’s play and then a simple “I’m certified!” What does I’m certified mean? Well, first off if you can’t figure that out on your own you may be slightly retarded. I’m certified is Kevin’s way of saying ‘Hey, my career is now legit.’ Think about it. In every sport, you can have an awesome career but if you don’t win a title, it’s always going to hang over your head. Look at Dan Marino. He’s uncertified. A great quarterback and a pretty good pre-game personality who has a tendency to pout like a little girl, but uncertified none the less. Kevin Garnett is now officially certified. Even if he averages two points and one board for the remainder of his career, who cares? He went without sleep for a month and certified himself with an NBA title. Done and done.
1:41 Here Kevin quickly informs Michelle Tafoya that she looks good tonight. The man just certified the interview right here. Not only has he given an honest, emotional interview with the small possibility of actually hallucinating, he throws out a nice little verbal treat for Michelle Tafoya. Michelle needed it, too. Just a couple of hours earlier she had whiffed on her opportunity to bring us factual information on what was going on with Ray Allen’s eye, which was more or less her only job for the entire night. Just as she was explaining that an eye doctor had rushed into the room and it was taking an awfully long time to merely flush out the eye, Ray Allen barged out of his room and began running to the court. Uh, what happened Michelle? Shouldn’t you have been on top of that? So it was nice that Kevin gave her a quick, random compliment. Such a nice guy.
2:10 Garnett closes out the interview explaining that it was a responsibility to win the title in Boston. It was in the interests of carrying on a tradition. A tradition that had been stagnant for twenty plus years, but a tradition none the less. He then asks the camera “What are you gonna say now? What can you go and say now?” What could you say? Seriously? ‘Kevin, you suck!’ Uh, no. That would be false. The man just won an NBA title. ‘Kevin your not clutch!’ Uh, also no. That would be false as well. Kevin’s fantastic Game 7 combined with the fact that he probably had gotten a total of four hours of sleep all month would shoot down that statement in an instant. Sorry pal.
2:22 With the interview over, Garnett kisses some random guy’s head and then turns around to find Bill Russell. They embrace. Could it have ended any better? I submit that it could not.
So there you have it, as plain as day. The entire interview in black and white. I would like to thank Kevin for not only giving such a fantastic interview, but also for being such a badass, passionate athlete for the entire season. It has truly been a pleasure watching you this year.
THIS BLOG IS NOW CERTIFIED!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
The Real Sporting World, Episode Four: Kobe's Unwanted Guest
Clips are shown of the previous episodes, culminating in a shot of Steely McBeam passed out on his bed. The camera then cuts into the living room, where everyone, save for Manny, is sitting and listening to their host. From the sound of things, no one has said a thing to McBeam about his alcohol consumption.
McBeam: “We are going to allow one guest for each of you over the next eight days. We tried to pick whoever was first on your list to visit but if they fell through than we just kept going down.”
A-Rod: “Who’s first?”
McBeam: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Kobe’s guest will be joining us first.” Everyone sighs.
Kobe: “For real? Who is it? My kids? My wife?” He sounds only mildly excited.
McBeam: “Actually, your wife was going to come but someone who wasn’t on the list convinced her to give them her spot.”
Kobe: “What do you mean not on the list?”
McBeam: “Well, they weren’t on the list. But I guess they really wanted or needed to see you and convinced your wife to let them come instead.”
Madsen: “I bet that didn’t take much.” Kobe doesn’t hear the snarky comment, and is instead looking at McBeam with a quizzical, confused look. Then, suddenly, a look of realization washes over his face and he groans.
Kobe: “Oh no..”
Brady: “What if we don’t like the guest and want them to leave?”
McBeam: “That would just suck for you, because they have to stay the entire day. If you haven’t noticed, they really like to follow pre-set rules on this show.”
Peyton: “They also didn’t fully think the entire thing through, either.” Peyton has apparently decided that this show he was stuck on wasn’t going to do much for his reputation and this, obviously, is making him pout like a little girl.
McBeam: “He should be here any minute.” The ‘he’ classification seems to have finalized it for Kobe. He knows who’s coming and from his body language, he isn’t too excited.
A-Rod: “Hey Steely, where do you keep the booze? I want me another Seagram’s!” Alex tries to make this sound as manly as possible.
McBeam: “It’s locked up for special occasions.”
Brady: “Special occasions, huh? So do you have special occasions by yourself in your room at night? Those were a lot of bottles you had down there..” McBeam doesn’t know how to take this, staring at Tom for a moment.
McBeam: “What do you mean? When have you seen my room?” The answer to this question is interrupted by a frantic knocking at the door. McBeam goes and opens it. Low and behold, a frantic, disgruntled looking Pau Gasol rushes inside. He’s breathing heavily as if he just sprinted to the house.
McBeam: “Welcome Pau. Kobe, your guest is here!” Kobe looks as if he’d like nothing better than to be able to sink inside the couch. Gasol runs over towards Kobe.
Gasol: “Milord! I have been lost without your orders!” He stands in front of Kobe, a look of relief spreading over his face. “I miss our candlelight dinners! I miss the thought-free lifestyle of following your ever order, your every whim milord!!”
The normally wise-cracking, witty bunch is speechless. This turn of events seems to have hit them upside the head like a Mack truck. Did he seriously just say milord?
Kobe: “Paul, what are you doing here? Basketball season’s over, you don’t need to follow my orders now..” Someone’s actions mid-season seem to have backfired.
Gasol: “Milord?” He tilts his head, staring at him in disbelief as if he just informed him that Chad Johnson wasn’t in love with himself.
Kobe: “Stop calling me milord! That’s weird, man! Come on!”
Peyton: “Okay, I officially believe in karma now.”
Gasol: “I was without direction, milord. I did not know where to turn. I appealed to your wife and told her that I must see you immediately. She said it was okay before I was even done asking! She understood my plight!” He raises his hands and looks at the ceiling, acting as if he had just survived ten days in a desert. He sits down next to Kobe, glancing at everyone else than turning back to him. At this point, everyone looks pretty amused.
Kobe: “Okay Paul, listen to me. You need to chill out. I respect that you follow me on the basketball court, but it’s the off-season bro! Relax! Have a drink!” He glances at Steely with the most desperate glance ever issued by a human. Steely, who is most likely sober nods and begins walking downstairs. Gasol begins breathing deeply and shaking his head. His hair is dripping with sweat.
LaDainian: “Does anyone know what we’re doing today?”
Clemens: “We’re taking a lie detector test and I’m not participating.”
Peyton: “Why not? You can finally clear up your name!” Peyton’s mood has changed entirely and he looks to be having a good time now.
Clemens: “Because lie detectors are for pussies, that’s why!”
A-Rod: “That didn’t make much sense.”
Clemens: “Whatever, go drink some more Seagram’s!” McBeam appears again, carrying a crate of assorted alcohol’s. Everyone looks over at him, except Gasol, who is still breathing deeply.
LaDainian: “We’re taking a lie detector test Steely?”
McBeam: “Yes. Should be fun.” That’s all he says. Frankly, it’s all that needs to be said.
Madsen: “Rocket isn’t going to do it, which is cool cause I already believe him. Guy didn’t need to take steroids!” He points at Clemens, grinning.
Clemens: “What’s wrong with you!? DO! NOT! CALL! ME! ROCKET! YOU FREAKY BASTARD!”
Madsen: “Whoa.. Dude. Chill out!”
Clemens: “No I will not chill out! You don’t listen! You’re the most annoying person I’ve ever met in my entire life! I can’t stand you!”
Madsen: “Wow Rocket..” He shakes his head. Clemens rockets off the couch and tackles Madsen, attempting to pummel him. McBeam was ready however, pulling out a taser and shooting Clemens in the neck. He shudders and falls back, shaking from the shocks.
LaDainian: “Nice one Steely. I don’t like this guy, he has no manners at all!” He shakes his head. Madsen jumps up, brushing himself off and trying to act like he wasn’t about to get the shit kicked out of him.
Madsen: “Thanks Steely. No telling what he would have done, being on steroids and all. I could have taken care of it though..” He nods, looking around at everyone. Everyone is staring at the knocked out Clemens, except Gasol, who is still breathing deeply and following Kobe’s orders to calm down.
McBeam: “Okay, Roger just broke the cardinal rule. He’s kicked out of the house. Any objections?”
Madsen: “Can I have his bed?”
McBeam: “Sure.”
Madsen: “No objections here!” No one else says anything.
Gasol: “Why did you not stop the confrontation, milord?”
Brady: “Is he like role playing or something? Hey Kobe, tell your liege that this isn’t King Arthur’s castle!” Everyone laughs hysterically as Steely begins prepping the drinks. Two unannounced men come inside and drag Clemens outside. It was completely random and no one seems to notice and/or care. As they leave, the doors are heard locking again.
Kobe: “Ever since he was traded to my team he’s followed me around like a sick puppy. The milord thing just started, he says it expresses his admiration and respect for me. He won’t stop saying it.”
Gasol: “And why would I, milord? I do admire and respect you!” He stands and points at Kobe. “HE IS THE BEST BASKETBALL PLAYER TO EVER PLAY THE GAME!” Spit comes flying out as he yells this, his face pausing at the end in what looks to be a grimace.
LaDainian: “Hey! Lower your voice! Your being rude!”
A-Rod: “I absolutely LOVE these Seagram’s! Does anyone want to pound one with me?”
LaDainian: “I will.” He grabs a Seagram’s and he and A-Rod begin pounding them as everyone else is staring at Gasol.
Madsen: “Hey Paul, why don’t you go get a haircut! Maybe it’s clouding your judgment!” Mark begins clapping, showing he has no problem being the first to laugh at his own jokes.
Gasol: “My judgment is fine, peasant!” He points at him. Manny suddenly walks downstairs, waving to everyone. He’s covered in paint.
Brady: “Where’ve you been?”
Manny: “Painting!” He moves his wrist around to mimic a paintbrush.
Peyton: “Painted what?! Our room!?” He frowns, knowing the answer to his question will not be good.
Manny: “Si! I painted cheeseburgers for you, Pay-tone! Pizza for me!” He rubs his stomach, grinning. “Mmmm!” Peyton sighs, shaking his head.
Brady: “Hey Manny! Some guy just time traveled from the Middle Ages!" He points at Gasol. Manny looks at him and tilts his head.
Manny: “Time travel!?”
Gasol: “I cannot time travel! I traveled here normally to consult milord!” He motions to Kobe. Manny’s jaw drops and he begins looking at everyone excitedly. McBeam meanwhile, has been slowly but steadily chugging his signature Jim Beam. Here comes the hiccups.
McBeam: “Okay everyone! Hold your horses.. We need to get ready for our lie detector test.” Everyone stops talking and looks at Steely, except Gasol, who is still standing and awaiting further Kobe orders. Steely begins fiddling with the lie detector chair and begins getting it ready for the tests.
McBeam: “Peyton, your up first.” Peyton walks over to the chair and sits, silence filling the air. Peyton is strapped in and McBeam goes and gets some index cards.
McBeam: “Alright Peyton, let’s begin..”
A loud boom sounds as the camera goes to black. You know, the one that sounds when something suspenseful is about to happen but the show stops in the middle of it? Yeah, that. That happens.
Next week on the Real Sporting World: Our athletes attempt to get out of the lie detector chair with dignity intact. But what questions will be asked? What truths will be revealed? Who will fill Roger Clemens vacant spot in the house? And why is Pau Gasol talking like he lives in the Middle Ages? These questions and more are answered in the next riveting edition of.. The Real Sporting World!!
