Kevin Garnett is back in a Minnesota Timberwolves uniform for the first time since 2007, having departed in frustration, become an NBA champion and returned to help rebuild his original club.
In the same way LeBron James first played for Cleveland, left to win two NBA crowns with Miami and rejoined the Cavaliers this season to create a contender, 38-year-old forward Garnett finds himself back where he first made his NBA fame after winning a 2008 title with the Boston Celtics.
“I know these are the declining days of my playing days, but I know I have so much to give. I feel like this is coming full circle, to win in Boston and come back home,” Garnett said on Tuesday. “I feel like I’m seasoned. I see things I once couldn’t. If you ever have a story and it’s a perfect fairy-tale ending, this is it.”
“I figured if LeBron can go home, why can’t I?” he added.
Garnett, obtained from the Brooklyn Nets in a trade last week, was to play his first game for Minnesota since 2007 yesterday when the Timberwolves were due to host Washington. He is to face former teammates from Brooklyn when the Nets visit on March 16.
Garnett, who helped the US win Olympic gold in 2000 in Sydney, is the all-time T-Wolves leader with 19,041 points, 10,542 rebounds, 4,146 assists, 1,282 steals and 1,576 blocked shots.
In his first Minnesota stint, Garnett was a first-round playoff loser for seven seasons in a row. In the 2003-2004 campaign, he won NBA Most Valuable Player honors and the T-Wolves reached the Western Conference finals, only to lose to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Minnesota have not made the playoffs since. Garnett departed after three seasons to join the Celtics and stayed in Boston until a 2013 trade to the Nets.
“He’s a heck of a player. That’s why we brought him back,” T-Wolves coach Flip Saunders said. “We’ve made a commitment to this team, to doing what we need to do to get this team better on and off the floor.”
At 12-43, worst in the Western Conference and third-worst in the NBA, anything would help Minnesota. However, Garnett offers wisdom, experience, leadership as well as on-court size for a team with talented young players.
“Coming here, helping young guys in this transition, I thought it was a great opportunity,” Garnett said. “I wanted to share my experiences, my journey, help these young guys, just give myself to this team. The only way these young guys get better is through some leadership and guidance, and I’m hoping to bring that to this roster.”
In the deal that sent big man Kevin Love to Cleveland and helps James’ chances of winning an NBA title this year, the Timberwolves landed the past two No. 1 draft choices, rookie Andrew Wiggins and second-year forward Anthony Bennett. They have eight players aged 24 or younger, including Spanish guard Ricky Rubio. Nine Minnesota players are in their first or second NBA season.
“I feel like I have not only something to give, but something to experience,” Garnett said. “There is probably the most talent on this team since the T-Wolves were founded. The talent is limitless. I feel like they have the ability to do whatever they want. Seeing the talent on this team is refreshing because they are players who are fresh, who will listen.”
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