Garnett’s Knee Might Never Be The Same , Passion Unchanged

By BRIAN MAHONEY

AP Basketball Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) – The knee may never be the same. Kevin

Garnett's heart hasn't changed a bit.

Garnett is no longer the dominant player he was when the Boston

Celtics won the NBA championship two years ago, but he still plays

with his same trademark intensity.

Maybe even more now.

Forced to sit out last postseason with a knee injury, Garnett

says Wednesday “what was burning in me two years ago is probably

intensified” because he didn't feel the Celtics had a real chance

to defend their title.

They can win another one if they beat the Los Angeles Lakers in

the NBA finals for the second time in three years. To do so,

they'll likely need a big contribution from Garnett.