Column: Could Garnett be following in Jordan's shoes?  Chicago
Tribune Published Saturday, May 22, 2004   Sure, they had
Michael Jordan, and he was the MVP that season. But he didn't
win the big ones. He was 28 and known for spectacular play and
losing in the playoffs.  And then Jordan and his
underappreciated team showed up to play the wily veteran former
champions.  No chance, right?  Fast forward to 2004.  "The
Lakers are a big challenge, but I feel we're up for it," said
Kevin Garnett, whose Minnesota Timberwolves open the Western
Conference finals Friday at home against the Lakers.  That's
28-year-old MVP Garnett, whose team finally overcame its playoff
"billy goat" after seven consecutive first-round ousters.
Garnett put on one of those Jordanesque, otherworldly big-game
performances against the Sacramento Kings Wednesday night with
32 points, 21 rebounds, five blocks, four steals and the
offensive and defensive plays of the game. It left Garnett with
averages of 23.9 points, 15.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists