I Thought You Should Know
Kevin Garnett is a professional basketball player for the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves. The 6’11”, 253-pound Garnett is regarded as one of the finest power forwards in the game, having been voted Most Valuable Player of the 2003-04 NBA season, elected into ten All-Star teams, and respectively seven All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams.
After graduating from Farragut Career Academy in Chicago, Illinois, he was drafted in 1995, the first NBA player drafted out of high school in 20 years. He carries the nicknames “The Big Ticket”, “KG” and “The Kid”.
Due to his great athleticism, quickness, shooting range, and 6'11" stature, Garnett is widely regarded as one of the most versatile players ever, capable of playing all five positions on the floor, though he has made his mark playing the power forward position. He is a top rebounder, leading the league in rebounds in the last three seasons and being in the top 3 for the last five seasons. He has consistently been amongst the top assists leaders at the forward position, and led the Wolves in that category for several seasons. He holds the record for most consecutive seasons of averaging at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, formerly held by Larry Bird. In addition to his offensive prowess, Garnett is an excellent defender, having been elected to the NBA's All-Defense first team from 2000 to 2005 and making the second team in 2006.
Garnett is also a model of consistency; as of February 3, 2007, he has scored at least 10 points in 368 straight games, and started 331 straight games. He has also consistently been among the leaders in efficiency rating.
Garnett has a "Hall of Fame Probability" of 0.961 according to Basketball-Reference.com, meaning he has a 96.1% chance of being elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame, currently the 45th highest probability among all-time NBA players who have played at least 400 games.
Kevin Garnett was the 5th pick of the 1995 NBA Draft, picked up by the Minnesota Timberwolves as a prep-to-pro rookie. Garnett initially came off the bench in his rookie year, but moved into the starting lineup in the middle of the season. In his rookie year, Garnett and fellow newcomer Tom Gugliotta carried the scoring load. Garnett failed to make a big impression, scoring 10.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1,8 assists, but was voted into the All-Rookie Second Team. However, despite being the youngest NBA player ever then at 19 years and 11 months, he had gained the respect of his peers.[2]
In the next season, the Wolves drafted sharpshooting point guard Stephon Marbury, and Garnett posted impressive averages of 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.7 steals. He had also two games where he registered eight blocks. With a 40-42 record, the Wolves made their first playoffs in franchise history, and Garnett and Gugliotta made their first All-Star apperances, and Marbury established himself as a valuable playmaker. However, the Houston Rockets with legendary center Hakeem Olajuwon swept the Wolves 3-0.
In the 1997-98 NBA season, the Wolves decided to give Garnett an unparalleled 126 million dollar-contract for six years. This was met with disdain, as the Wolves were used as scapegoats for the lockout that occurred that season and shortened the regular season to 50 games. It was a risky move, because the Wolves’ salary situation became so critical that neither Gugliotta nor Marbury could be kept. However, even without an All-Star support cast, Garnett continued to log big numbers (18.5 points / 9.6 rebounds / 4.2 assists / 1.8 blocks / 1.7 steals per game). Again, he was an All-Star, but again, the Wolves (25-25 for the season) stranded in the first round, this time 2-3 against the Seattle SuperSonics with superstar point guard Gary Payton. However, the Wolves won their first-ever playoff games.
In the season that followed, Garnett finally broke through as a superstar. Scoring amazing stats of 20.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.8 blocks per game, he was elected into the Third All-NBA Team. However, as Garnett lacked a supporting cast, playoff success eluded the Wolves again, this time bowing out to young superstar Tim Duncan’s San Antonio Spurs with 1-3. In the next season, Garnett continued his stellar play, scoring 22.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.5 steals per game and made his first of three All-NBA First Team selections. Assisted by versatile forward Wally Szczerbiak, the Wolves posted a franchise-best 50-32 record, but then succumbed again in the first round to the Portland Trail Blazers 1-3.
In the 2000-01 NBA season, things began to run afoul for the Wolves. Guard Malik Sealy was killed in a car accident, and the NBA ruled that the free agent signing of Joe Smith was illegal and punished the Wolves by taking three draft picks, cash and banning general manager Kevin McHale for a year. However, Garnett led the Wolves to a 47-35 record and made the All-NBA Second Team, but again, the Wolves did not survive the first round, bowing out to the Spurs again 1-3.
In the 2001-02 NBA season, Garnett posted another magnificient season, his averages of 21.2 points, 12.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per game enough for another All-NBA Second Team nomination. However, the Wolves bowed out in the first round for the sixth consecutive time, this time getting swept 0-3 against the Dallas Mavericks with Michael Finley, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki. In the next season, Garnett had one of the best seasons of his career, his 23.0 ppg / 13.0 rpg / 6.0 apg / 1.6 bpg / 1.4 spg season earning him his second All-NBA First Team nomination and second place in the MVP voting. The Wolves posted a good 51-31 record, but for the seventh consecutive time, they did not make it out of the first round, this time losing against the Los Angeles Lakers with Shaquille O'Neal 2-3.
In the 2003-04 season, things finally seem to come together for Garnett. In past years, the Wolves had practically been a one-man show, but now, the Wolves made two stunning free agent signings, highly talented, but volatile swingman Latrell Sprewell and the seasoned two-time NBA champion Sam Cassell, who supplanted Troy Hudson at point guard. In addition, defensive center Ervin Johnson complemented the often-inconsistent pivot Michael Olowokandi. Powered by the best supporting cast in his career, Garnett had a magnificient season, his stellar averages of 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.5 steals per game earning his first Most Valuable Player award. With a franchise-record 58-24, the Wolves stormed into the playoffs, and finally vanquished their playoff bane by defeating the Denver Nuggets 4-1 in the first round. After disposing of the strong Sacramento Kings with 4-3 in the Western Conference Semifinals, the Garnett and his Wolves met the Lakers. Against the Lakers, play maker Cassell went down with a back injury. With reserve point guard Hudson also injured, the Wolves alternated between third playmaker Darrick Martin and shooting guard Fred Hoiberg at the “one”, or even running Garnett himself as point forward and even as a real point guard. The Lakers pulled out a 4-2 win, and Garnett was eluded success.
In the 2004-05 NBA season, the Wolves experienced serious internal friction as Cassell and Sprewell pokered for better contracts and Hudson was unhappy as a reserve. Garnett continued his stellar play, making the All-NBA Second Team, but with a mediocre 44-38 record, the Wolves failed to make the playoffs after eight consecutive years. The 2005-06 NBA season brought more frustration for Garnett. With Sprewell and Cassell refusing to stay and stuck with a mediocre squad, the Wolves skidded to a bad 33-49 record. Despite Garnett’s stellar play, the Wolves logged the worst record ever since Garnett entered the franchise. As of 2007, Garnett is seen as the sole bright spot on a hapless sub .500 squad.
As a side note, Garnett leads all active NBA players (11 years) for the distinction of having played his entire career for only one team. In second place is Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers.
On a personal note Kevin Garnett is in my opinion one of the 10 greatest players in NBA history which is saying a lot since he is still playing and that he hasn't won an NBA championship, yet.
After graduating from Farragut Career Academy in Chicago, Illinois, he was drafted in 1995, the first NBA player drafted out of high school in 20 years. He carries the nicknames “The Big Ticket”, “KG” and “The Kid”.
Due to his great athleticism, quickness, shooting range, and 6'11" stature, Garnett is widely regarded as one of the most versatile players ever, capable of playing all five positions on the floor, though he has made his mark playing the power forward position. He is a top rebounder, leading the league in rebounds in the last three seasons and being in the top 3 for the last five seasons. He has consistently been amongst the top assists leaders at the forward position, and led the Wolves in that category for several seasons. He holds the record for most consecutive seasons of averaging at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, formerly held by Larry Bird. In addition to his offensive prowess, Garnett is an excellent defender, having been elected to the NBA's All-Defense first team from 2000 to 2005 and making the second team in 2006.
Garnett is also a model of consistency; as of February 3, 2007, he has scored at least 10 points in 368 straight games, and started 331 straight games. He has also consistently been among the leaders in efficiency rating.
Garnett has a "Hall of Fame Probability" of 0.961 according to Basketball-Reference.com, meaning he has a 96.1% chance of being elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame, currently the 45th highest probability among all-time NBA players who have played at least 400 games.
Kevin Garnett was the 5th pick of the 1995 NBA Draft, picked up by the Minnesota Timberwolves as a prep-to-pro rookie. Garnett initially came off the bench in his rookie year, but moved into the starting lineup in the middle of the season. In his rookie year, Garnett and fellow newcomer Tom Gugliotta carried the scoring load. Garnett failed to make a big impression, scoring 10.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1,8 assists, but was voted into the All-Rookie Second Team. However, despite being the youngest NBA player ever then at 19 years and 11 months, he had gained the respect of his peers.[2]
In the next season, the Wolves drafted sharpshooting point guard Stephon Marbury, and Garnett posted impressive averages of 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.7 steals. He had also two games where he registered eight blocks. With a 40-42 record, the Wolves made their first playoffs in franchise history, and Garnett and Gugliotta made their first All-Star apperances, and Marbury established himself as a valuable playmaker. However, the Houston Rockets with legendary center Hakeem Olajuwon swept the Wolves 3-0.
In the 1997-98 NBA season, the Wolves decided to give Garnett an unparalleled 126 million dollar-contract for six years. This was met with disdain, as the Wolves were used as scapegoats for the lockout that occurred that season and shortened the regular season to 50 games. It was a risky move, because the Wolves’ salary situation became so critical that neither Gugliotta nor Marbury could be kept. However, even without an All-Star support cast, Garnett continued to log big numbers (18.5 points / 9.6 rebounds / 4.2 assists / 1.8 blocks / 1.7 steals per game). Again, he was an All-Star, but again, the Wolves (25-25 for the season) stranded in the first round, this time 2-3 against the Seattle SuperSonics with superstar point guard Gary Payton. However, the Wolves won their first-ever playoff games.
In the season that followed, Garnett finally broke through as a superstar. Scoring amazing stats of 20.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.8 blocks per game, he was elected into the Third All-NBA Team. However, as Garnett lacked a supporting cast, playoff success eluded the Wolves again, this time bowing out to young superstar Tim Duncan’s San Antonio Spurs with 1-3. In the next season, Garnett continued his stellar play, scoring 22.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.5 steals per game and made his first of three All-NBA First Team selections. Assisted by versatile forward Wally Szczerbiak, the Wolves posted a franchise-best 50-32 record, but then succumbed again in the first round to the Portland Trail Blazers 1-3.
In the 2000-01 NBA season, things began to run afoul for the Wolves. Guard Malik Sealy was killed in a car accident, and the NBA ruled that the free agent signing of Joe Smith was illegal and punished the Wolves by taking three draft picks, cash and banning general manager Kevin McHale for a year. However, Garnett led the Wolves to a 47-35 record and made the All-NBA Second Team, but again, the Wolves did not survive the first round, bowing out to the Spurs again 1-3.
In the 2001-02 NBA season, Garnett posted another magnificient season, his averages of 21.2 points, 12.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per game enough for another All-NBA Second Team nomination. However, the Wolves bowed out in the first round for the sixth consecutive time, this time getting swept 0-3 against the Dallas Mavericks with Michael Finley, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki. In the next season, Garnett had one of the best seasons of his career, his 23.0 ppg / 13.0 rpg / 6.0 apg / 1.6 bpg / 1.4 spg season earning him his second All-NBA First Team nomination and second place in the MVP voting. The Wolves posted a good 51-31 record, but for the seventh consecutive time, they did not make it out of the first round, this time losing against the Los Angeles Lakers with Shaquille O'Neal 2-3.
In the 2003-04 season, things finally seem to come together for Garnett. In past years, the Wolves had practically been a one-man show, but now, the Wolves made two stunning free agent signings, highly talented, but volatile swingman Latrell Sprewell and the seasoned two-time NBA champion Sam Cassell, who supplanted Troy Hudson at point guard. In addition, defensive center Ervin Johnson complemented the often-inconsistent pivot Michael Olowokandi. Powered by the best supporting cast in his career, Garnett had a magnificient season, his stellar averages of 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.5 steals per game earning his first Most Valuable Player award. With a franchise-record 58-24, the Wolves stormed into the playoffs, and finally vanquished their playoff bane by defeating the Denver Nuggets 4-1 in the first round. After disposing of the strong Sacramento Kings with 4-3 in the Western Conference Semifinals, the Garnett and his Wolves met the Lakers. Against the Lakers, play maker Cassell went down with a back injury. With reserve point guard Hudson also injured, the Wolves alternated between third playmaker Darrick Martin and shooting guard Fred Hoiberg at the “one”, or even running Garnett himself as point forward and even as a real point guard. The Lakers pulled out a 4-2 win, and Garnett was eluded success.
In the 2004-05 NBA season, the Wolves experienced serious internal friction as Cassell and Sprewell pokered for better contracts and Hudson was unhappy as a reserve. Garnett continued his stellar play, making the All-NBA Second Team, but with a mediocre 44-38 record, the Wolves failed to make the playoffs after eight consecutive years. The 2005-06 NBA season brought more frustration for Garnett. With Sprewell and Cassell refusing to stay and stuck with a mediocre squad, the Wolves skidded to a bad 33-49 record. Despite Garnett’s stellar play, the Wolves logged the worst record ever since Garnett entered the franchise. As of 2007, Garnett is seen as the sole bright spot on a hapless sub .500 squad.
As a side note, Garnett leads all active NBA players (11 years) for the distinction of having played his entire career for only one team. In second place is Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers.
On a personal note Kevin Garnett is in my opinion one of the 10 greatest players in NBA history which is saying a lot since he is still playing and that he hasn't won an NBA championship, yet.