Letters

Lightning Rod
Does Kevin Garnett's agent Eric Fleisher listen to himself when he talks (Howlin' Wolf, May 3)? He states he has never seen anyone Garnett's age with the maturity he believes Garnett possesses. Yeah, the maturity that balks at a six-year, $102 million offer from the Timberwolves so he could negotiate a sweeter deal. This sounds like the quintessential self-serving athlete to me.
JON WHITE, Fessenden, N.Dak.

The day Garnett turned down the $102 million offer, I swore off the NBA. I am happier to be a college basketball fan now because Garnett never had anything to do with the college game.
DAN SMITH, Long Beach, Calif.

Kevin Garnett? Someone who has yet to accomplish anything in his profession? This article is a Sign That the Apocalypse Is Upon Us.
HANK SNIDER, Seattle

The cover billing should have read THE AGENT WHO CHANGED THE GAME instead of THE KID WHO CHANGED THE GAME.
REESE RICHARDS, Sandy, Utah

I find it unfortunate that you chose to banner Garnett's statement "I'll kill you before I let you take advantage of me." Rather than condemning such reckless statements for what they are—the petty musings of a spoiled brat—you chose to treat Garnett as some kind of hero.
J. RAFF, Bossier City, La.

Cautionary Tale
The heartwarming story of Laura Baugh's road to recovery from alcoholism (Beneath the Glitter, May 3) should be an inspiration to millions who encounter this disease but who are in denial and fearful of receiving help. Whether or not Baugh wins on the LPGA tour is secondary. Having an opportunity to continue to live and remain abstinent is victory in itself.
GARY J. SAUKA, Nazareth, Pa.

I'm not sure I want to read another story by a semicelebrity about being a drunk. Aside from giving the Betty Ford Center publicity, this tale is about the ignorance of the public and the medical profession about chemical dependence. We have had too many public confessions, and then we read about the relapses.
RON YOUNGREN, Sacramento

Baugh's writing this book is an exercise in MEism. She barely mentions her seven kids.
ALEC MILNE, Calgary, Alberta

Bright, Shining Moment
My most enjoyable memory of Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway's last season occurred in the second half of the Broncos-Jets AFC Championship Game (Last Call, May 3). With Denver trailing 10-0, Elway completed a long pass to get the Broncos into scoring position. On the replay the camera showed him running down the field after the completion clapping his hands and smiling like a kid who had just done something great in a peewee game. That's what I'll miss most about Elway, his zest for each contest.
ALAN MAGILL, New York City

Jordan retires, cover story next week. Gretzky retires, cover story next week. Elway retires, a cover story on Kevin Garnett. Elway receives a small blurb in the upper-lefthand corner. Is that fitting for a man who orchestrated 47 come-from-behind victories, quarterbacked five AFC Champions, won two Super Bowl rings and a Super Bowl MVP award and finished his career in first or second place in almost every major statistical category?
MICHAEL J. ROWE, Highlands Ranch, Colo.