NBA

Refs won’t keep Garnett from going ‘full throttle’

PHILADELPHIA — When the NBA invited the media to meet with the heads of its officiating staff last month, the league representatives rattled off a few points of emphasis they wanted referees to focus on this season.

One such point of emphasis was illegal screens, and when video-clip examples were shown to the writers in attendance, the first one was of Kevin Garnett being called in a game last season.

Why?

“Because I’m the best pick-setter in the league,” Garnett said after Monday’s shootaround ahead of the Nets’ third preseason game, against the 76ers. “I understand that.”

Garnett long has been known for setting illegal, or “moving,” screens. Instead of coming to a stop and keeping his arms and legs close to his body, as a screener is supposed to do, Garnett — always seeking an extra edge — will often slide into the opposing defender as the opponent is going around the screen, or use his arm or leg to make that defender take an extra step to get to his man.

With 10 seconds left in Game 2 of the Celtics’ Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup with the Sixers in 2012, Garnett was hit with a moving-screen call that cost the Celtics a chance at a potential go-ahead basket while trying to free up Paul Pierce for a shot. He has been called for an illegal screen in each of his first two preseason games as a Net.

“To be honest, I’m always trying to get better at the things that I’m doing,” Garnett said when asked about how much of an adjustment the new point of emphasis on illegal screens could have on his game. “I’m figuring the reason they’re putting it in there is because some things are not right. So, if I’m looking at my mechanics, and if I’m not setting proper picks, then I’m going to have to.

“It’s the game. I’m going to have to adjust in the game. I’m no perfect human being, but I do try to master my craft and perfect my craft. Hell yeah, if it’s something to where I’m going to play or not, I’m going to have to adjust to it, absolutely.”

Over the course of his own career, Garnett’s new coach, Jason Kidd, was on the receiving end of many of those Garnett screens, and said dealing with them is simply part of the game.

“That’s basketball,” Kidd said. “He’s a competitor and he’s trying to get his teammate open, and defensively you’re trying to get over it.”

And because Garnett is so good at setting them, as well as potentially bending the rules a bit to do so, getting over them is no easy task.

“He’s one of the best ever at setting screens,” Kidd added, before smiling. “And I think whatever team he’s on, those guys that are getting screens from him, they’ll praise him.”

Garnett said he’s not going to set a limit on how many fouls for illegal screens he can pick up in games.

“Absolutely not,” Garnett said. “That’s like a gauge. That’s almost like holding yourself back. ‘OK, I’m gonna set this type of screen.’

“No, no, no, no. Everything is full throttle with me.”