Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Hawks co-owner Michael Gearon Jr. doesn't think much of the Boston Celtics and particularly Kevin Garnett.

A guest speaker at an event sponsored by the W.E.B. Du Bois Society on Wednesday, Gearon voiced his displeasure about the officiating and the Celtics play in their first round series.

"We don't get any calls, which I know everybody always hears," Gearon said, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "But I'll give you a stat. Last night, we are playing this old physical team. They are old. I know what happens when you play basketball, old guys foul.

"(Kevin) Garnett is the dirtiest guy in the league. We are playing Boston last night and they had two fouls the whole first half. We had five times that and we're athletic."

Gearon went on to speak highly of Atlanta's Al Horford and Josh Smith for battling through injuries and having a positive impact on the series.

"Did you see what Al Horford did (in Tuesday's Game 5)?" he said. "The timeline for recovery for his injury is another three months. He's not even supposed to be playing and Josh should not be playing. Zaza (Pachulia) can't stand up, but if we can get past this round there is a chance that we can get him back.

"So this is a team that is overcoming adversity. I wish ... some of the national media or even some of the local media, more the paper than the TV guys, recognize how hard these guys are playing based on how injured they are."

The Celtics lead the Hawks 3-2 in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal playoff series with Game 6 set for Thursday in Boston.

After winning the series, Kevin Garnett says the Hawks owner calling him the 'dirtiest player in the league' was gave him 'extra gas'

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