A column on Kiwi Gardner

Here is a column we should all read and take to heart and mind:

The Kiwi Gardner Syndrome
jcampbell
Manteca Bulletin
February 20, 2010

Its no secret: Kiwi Gardner -- the Manteca High junior standout that can make defenders fall on the floor while trying to cover him -- has attained SuperStar status.

But I'm not talking about the bling-laden, luxury car driving, club hopping superstars that command the ridiculous salaries that we're all responsible for (ticket sales and merchandise are what covers the cost of that Cristal.) I'm talking about how people either already love him or hate him even though they've never actually spoken to the young man. He has become, as a high school junior, the savior to some and the devil to others -- all for just being able to dribble a basketball a little bit better than the next guy.

Now this season there was an incident that made Kiwi Gardner a household name for Valley Oak League basketball fans, and some have chosen to take that incident (with no video proof) as a sign that he's a bad kid and he doesn't deserve the enormous amount of respect he earns...

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