"A quick sampling of NBA All-Stars reveals the opinions that Kevin Garnett's game is back — and his testy approach to the game never left.

"He looks good," Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki said yesterday. "He's got pep in his step again."

Tim Duncan has been banging with Garnett since 1997. The Spurs center felt for KG when he went through his knee injury and struggled to return to form.

"He's the backbone of that team," Duncan said. "He makes it go. It's just great to see him back looking like he's feeling healthy.

"I went through that, too, where you feel hobbled for a couple of years. You feel like you can still get it done, but your body's not letting you do it."

Pau Gasol is 1-1 against Garnett in the NBA Finals, and he's gotten an eyeful in the two recent Celtics-Lakers matchups."