Kevin Garnett is Tupac Shakur

Really. No man has generated more false rumors, myths, and conspiracy theories since Tupac's excursion in Vegas. What do we know? Kevin Garnett, himself, says the knee is pain-free. He told the Boston Globe as much on Saturday:

"I don't have any knee problems. I don't have any knee problems. I'm not trying to get in depth with my injury and all that but the things are bothering me are secondary and not even primary. So I'm excited about that because it's nothing be strengthening the knee and playing again. You gotta remember, I have been out since what, March? I haven't done anything since then. I have just been rehabbing, strengthing. Nothing simulates basketball play. The pounding, the churning, the reactions, the stuff you have to react to in games you can't get that in trying to that with the rehab and the trainers and all that other stuff.

"I feel really good, I wouldn't (BS) you guys if I was hurting I would tell you. I'm pretty straight up with everything that's going on with me. I feel good. I'm excited about how we are and I'm just trying to get my part together to make sure I'm ready for when we need to be like we need to be."

Then again, the debate still persists. Because let's be honest: Garnett had knee problems all last season, and when he finally went on the injured list, it wasn't supposed to signal the end of his season. Then he was out for a month. Then he was out for two months. And then he missed the playoffs. So who knows whether we're getting the whole story from Garnett and the Celtics, both of whom insist he'll be 100% come the regular season.

Casting doubt on that theory, Bill Simmons cites Will Carroll, also known as "the Injury Expert" of Basketball Prospectus, and says that the knee surgery was far more serious than the Celtics let on. Anytime I hear "staples" involved with any medical procedure, I'm inclined to wince. When "staples" are connecting "tendons," I wince twice. Did you know Garnett's played 1,100 games throughout his career? Knees don't last forever (unless you're Kobe Bryant).

Anyway, it's sparked all kinds of debate, including an icy exchange between SBN's own Jeff Clark and Carroll, the aforementioned "injury expert." Is Tupac alive? Is Kevin Garnett healthy? Both good questions, and the latter should be answered before too long, here. Until then, you can watch this video (via Celtics Blog) and form your own opinions: