Rumors of Garnett missing the Minnesota Timberwolves’ pre-season training camp only added fuel to the fire surrounding his potential retirement, as news rapidly spread ahead of his announcement.
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Garnett had to reach a contract buyout agreement with the Timberwolves since he still had one year left on his deal, as reported by USA Today.
Garnett, 40, easily the most productive player in franchise history, spent 13 1/2 of his 21 National Basketball Association seasons with Minnesota.
Garnett spent the next 12 seasons in Minnesota until he was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2007 after years of frustration and disappointment. But knee issues limited him to just 85 games over the last two seasons, and after Saunders died from Hodgkin’s lymphoma before last season, Garnett lost the man he trusted most in the organization. Taylor said. “I wish him continued success in the next chapter of his life”. Great teammate. It was a dream come true to play next to you.
From there Garnett sustained a career peak that rivals those of the greatest big men in league history.
The Kevin Garnett era with the Timberwolves has ended.
Garnett led the team to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history during his second season. Perhaps the best example of how much opponents could dislike Garnett comes from the usually mild-mannered Tim Duncan, who was once asked whether years of battling on the court softened the rivalry between the two and helped them form a kinship. He said Garnett brought the types of passion and leadership to Boston that were evident for years in Minnesota.
Garnett, who transferred to Chicago’s Farragut Career Academy for his senior year, came straight to the National Basketball Association from high school in 1995, paving the way for others like Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and LeBron James to do the same. “I’ll take it from here”. “I’m going to offer him something”, Rivers said.
On Saturday, Kobe tweeted his love for competing against his fellow future Hall of Famer after closing the curtain on his 21-year career in the league.
“I thought in Boston he just changed our culture”.
For a long time very few big guys had the skills, or the leeway I suppose, to have a versatile all-around game beyond functioning as a proverbial “back-to-the-basket” post player.
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Garnett departs as one of the league’s elder statesman. “He held himself to the highest standard of preparation and performance for a remarkable 21 seasons”. He’s leaving on the same team that drafted him No. 5 in 1995.
