The fact that KG's points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks per game averages this year are all career lows or just above his rookie season values tells you that he's just a cog in the wheel in many respects, but what an efficient cog he is.  It's is fair to say that the offensive contributions from KG are just icing on the cake.

In Minnesota and in Boston, for KG, it has always been about the defense, and the team's defensive rating without KG solidifies that he is still a game-changer and has the impact that defensive stalwarts like Ron Artest, Lebron James, Marcus Camby and Ben Wallace have on their teams. What else would you expect from the 10-time NBA All-Defensive selection?

The most fascinating impact KG has on the team is the automatic increase in points allowed by the Celtics when KG takes a seat. Last year, the team was allowing 10 more points a game when KG was out, but thanks to Rasheed Wallace being present this year, the opponents were only scoring 5 points per game more during KG's most recent 10 game absence. . . which is still significant.

Tom Haberstroh, one of the analysts at the new stats-oriented site Hoopdata.com, recently had some interesting things to say about Kevin Garnett that are well supported by the box score.

Garnett, just one season removed from Defensive Player of the Year, may not have the physical confidence, strength and quickness he once had but he still measures out as one of the top defending bigs in the game. Without him, the Celtics have fell from boasting one of the league's best defense to a one of the league's worst.

To see this effect, consider that the Celtics opponents score about 10 points more per 100 possessions with Garnett in a power suit than when he's wearing the green garb. That's right, in the eleven games this season that Garnett has missed, the Celtics have allowed an average of 107.3 points per 100 possessions and with him, opponents only put up 97.1. Not convinced? Take a gander at his on court/off court numbers over at 82games.com and you'll see a similar story. The guy prevents points.

And so, KG's reputation precedes him. Now it can be debated now until the cows come home whether the Celtics need a healthy Garnett to win the whole enchilada. Last year the Celtics almost had us fooled that they could go the distance without KG, thanks to the play of Glen Davis.  The team seemed to continue winning at a 72% clip for 25 games without KG last year, compared to the 76% winning percentage with KG. But the Celtics obviously missed KG in the playoffs, going down to the Magic in 7 games in the conference semi-finals.

This brings us to the company line that the team has to take when KG isn't playing. It seems a bit lame when Paul Pierce feels compelled to say:

“We know we’re going to be better when Kevin comes back. Obviously he makes us a better team on both ends of the court. But we’ve got to take care of responsibilities while he’s out. If he’s going to play the next game or not, we’ve still got to go out there and turn this thing around going into the All-Star break.”

Translation - they still have to play the games even though it feels like they are just practicing until KG returns and they can start playing real Celtics basketball again. And then Doc says:

“I’ve told our team that when Kevin gets back, we still have to grow as a team. The way I look at it is with him out our growth has been stunted. When he comes back, it’ll continue our growth, but it’s not the answer yet. We still have to grow as a team.”

Yea right Doc - this team was ready for the 2010 playoffs on November 1, 2009. The Celtics as a team just need to hold it together and survive as a healthy unit until April. Regardless of what Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins or Rasheed Wallace do, KG is the Celtics unabashed leader on the court and the Celtics have no shot at the title unless Garnett is healthy for the playoffs.