Kevin Garnett - one last time
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 5: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics is congratulated by head coach Doc Rivers against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on December 5, 2012 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Entering into the 18th season of his long NBA career, Kevin Garnett is standing at the exit of the tunnel. Garnett is undoubtedly one of the best Power Forwards of his generation. Standing at an amazing 6ft 11 inches tall, not only does he dominates the paint (obviously), but he also possesses a great eye for passes. His game is similar to that of Marc Gasol and Kevin Love. Those board-breaking jams, eye-catching shooting and those lovely between-the-legs, behind-the-back passes.
Garnett has numerous accolades to his name. He was the first player in over 20 years to be drafted straight from high school. Some make it, others don’t. But Garnett made the most of this opportunity. He was drafted fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 1995 draft. Before Garnett, the Timberwolves were having season after bad season. He didn’t made it to stardom right away but had a respectable rookie season. Later, he was joined by Stephon Marbury and he led the Wolves to 7 consecutive playoffs but couldn’t make it past the first round.
Garnett had become the franchise player of the Minnnesota Timberwolves. He was having season after good season. During the 1997-98 season, he signed an contract extension of six years valued at $126 million. This didn’t go down well with many people as they thought this move was too risky for the franchise.
But come the 2003-2004 season, it will all prove to be worth it. Garnett and the Timberwolves had had their best season so far. Kevin was playing in his element. The Timberwolves finally broke the jinx at they swept past the Denver Nuggets 4-1 in the first round, and then defeated the Sacramento Kings 4-3 in the Western Conference Semi-Finals. But that tremendous run was ended by the Lakers as they lost 4-2 in the western conference finals.
But that wasn’t it for the season, Garnett was declared the regular season MVP as he averaged 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.5 steals for the season.
BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 30: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics pumps up the crowd prior to the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 30, 2012 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
But the Timberwolves would give it all away in the next few seasons by trading away the key players around Garnett. At the end of the 2006-07 season and being the franchise player for the Timberwolves for 10 long years, Kevin Garnett trade talks had begun.
Garnett had finally landed where he belonged: the Boston Celtics.
In his first season, Kevin wore the number 5 jersey for the Celtics and teamed up with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo, in what would turn out to be spectacular year for the Celtics. The Big Three (Garnett, Pierce and Allen) would bring the Celtics their 17th NBA championship and first since 1986. It also gave Garnett his first Championship ring, one he undoubtedly deserved. Garnett had now achieved everything in his career. For the same season, he was awarded the NBA Defensive Player Of the Year award, which was the only award the Celtic franchise hadn’t won.
But since then, a lot of things have changed. Aside from the finals in the 2010 NBA season, the Celtics haven’t lived up to the expectations of their fan following world-wide. Also, the departure of Ray Allen hasn’t helped the cause.
Kevin Garnett Mix – I’m Not Done Yet
With age catching up with Garnett, the 36-year-old veteran has signed a three year contract extension this June. With this being his last run as a professional basketball player, Garnett is still putting up a fight. With a young squad at his disposal and the prodigy Rajon Rondo leading the Celtics, Garnett is ready to give it his all one last time for that championship ring. With me being an ardent supporter of the Celtics, I wish to see Garnett watching up at the TD garden and see banner number eighteen up on the roof.