The NBA announced today that Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics is the recipient of the 2007-08 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award presented by Kia Motors.

The 6-11 forward led the Celtics in rebounds with a 9.2 average (7.3 defensive rpg), to go along with 18.8 points, 1.2 blocks and 1.4 steals. He recorded a team season-high seven blocks against Chicago on Dec. 12.

Garnett helped the Celtics to league-best records of 66-16 (.805) overall and 31-10 (.738) on the road. Boston held opponents to just 90.3 points (second in the NBA) after allowing 99.2 points per game a season ago. Garnett led the Celtics to the biggest one-year turnaround in NBA history as the team won 42 more games this season than in 2006-07 (24-58), surpassing the previous record of 36 games, set by the San Antonio Spurs in the 1997-98 season.

As a Laker fan, I want my team to win the NBA championship every season.

Every NBA fan feels that way about their team.

But a part of me will be pulling for Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics this postseason.

Why?

Because I believe Kevin Garnett represents all that is right about the NBA and basketball in general.

He is a selfless superstar who leaves it all on the floor every single night.

I admire his passion for the game and his dedication to his craft.

Before this season, I oftentimes wondered if Garnett and Duncan's legacies would have been switched had KG been afforded the opportunity to play with two superstars like Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili.

I got a glimpse of what KG's career might have been like if he had been surrounded by a championship caliber supporting cast this season when Garnett was traded to the Celtics and teamed with superstars Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.

The Celtics were the best team in NBA this season but none of that matters now.

The only thing that matters is an NBA championship. Tim Duncan has four of them. KG doesn't have one

We'll never know what may have been had KG been drafted by an organization like the San Antonio Spurs but an NBA championship would silence many of his doubters.

It's time to put up or shut up.

KG and the Celtics are primed for an NBA championship but there can only be one.