Kevin Garnett denied Charlie Villanueva’s allegations that KG called Villanueva a “cancer patient.” (CBS Sports)

“I am aware there was a major miscommunication regarding something I said on the court last night,” Garnett said in a statement from his representatives released by the Celtics. “My comment to Charlie Villanueva was in fact, ‘You are cancerous to your team and our league.’ I would never be insensitive to the brave struggle that cancer patients endure. I have lost loved ones to this deadly disease and have a family member currently undergoing treatment. I would never say anything that distasteful. The game of life is far bigger than the game of basketball.”

Two thoughts, without getting into whether I think Garnett actually called Villanueva a cancer patient.

1) Garnett’s P.R. person drafted a great statement. Whether Garnett did or didn’t actually say the insult, this was the best way to respond. It at least throws a shadow of doubt about what Garnett actually said. (Garnett HAS done some great things with real cancer patients.)

2) My mom’s reactions to KG’s comments: “Very few people are actually THAT insensitive to cancer patients or another human being, and KG doesn’t seem like one of them. Even if he did say the insult, it doesn’t mean he’s a bad guy who despises cancer patients or hates Charlie Villanueva. We shouldn’t judge him because of one thing he said during a basketball game.”