Kevin Garnett

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Kevin Garnett
Position	Power forward
Nickname	The Big Ticket, The Kid, KG
League	NBA
Height	6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Weight	220 lb (100 kg)
Team	Minnesota Timberwolves
Nationality	United States
Born	May 19, 1976 (age 30) Mauldin, South Carolina
Draft	5^th overall, 1995 Minnesota Timberwolves
Pro career	1995–present
Awards	2003-04 NBA Most Valuable Player 2000 Olympic gold medal 2003 NBA All-Star Game MVP

Kevin Garnett (born May 19, 1976) is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves. The 6’11, 220 lbs Garnett is regarded as one of the finest power forwards to ever play the game. His accomplishments include having been voted Most Valuable Player of the 2003-04 NBA season, being named to ten All-Star teams, and being named to seven All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams.^[1]

After graduating from Farragut Career Academy in Chicago, Illinois, he was the 5th player drafted in 1995. He became the first NBA player drafted directly out of high school in 20 years. His nicknames include “The Big Ticket”, “KG” and “The Kid”.^[2]

1 Early years
2 Professional biography
3 Player profile
4 Achievements
5 Personal life
6 Trivia
7 Footnotes
8 External links

[edit] Early years

Garnett was born in Mauldin, South Carolina to Shirley Garnett and O’Lewis McCullough.^[3] , Garnett played for Mauldin High School in Mauldin, South Carolina. For his senior year he transferred to Farragut Career Academy in Chicago, Illinois. He led Farragut to a 28-2 record and was named National High School Player of the Year by USA Today. He was named Mr. Basketball for the State of Illinois after averaging 25.2 points, 17.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 6.5 blocks while shooting .667 from the field. In four years of high school, Garnett posted an impressive 2,533 points, 1,807 rebounds and 739 blocked shots. He was named the Most Outstanding Player at the McDonald's All-American Game after registering 18 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocked shots, and then declared himself eligible for the 1995 NBA Draft.^[2]

[edit] Professional biography

[edit] 1995-97: First years

Kevin Garnett was the 5th pick of the 1995 NBA Draft, picked by the moribund Minnesota Timberwolves. After joining the NBA for the 1995-96 season, the Timberwolves had not won more than 29 games in any season. However, the Wolves were going through a transition phase, having installed Flip Saunders as head coach (replacing the fired Bill Blair) and making several trades that changed the team’s composition. 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 did not immediately leap to stardom as later prep-to-pro prospects such as Amare Stoudemire, LeBron James, and Dwight Howard would, but he did have a very respectable rookie year. He averaged 10.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1,8 assists per game and was voted into the All-Rookie Second Team.^[1] Despite having some promising players, the Wolves suffered through their seventh consecutive sub-30 win season and failed to make the playoffs. At the time Garnett was the youngest NBA player in history at 19 years and 11 months of age.^[2]

Prior to the next season, the Wolves made a draft-day trade for playmaking point guard Stephon Marbury of Georgia Tech with the hope that he and Garnett could form a new millennium Stockton and Malone-esque duo. During the season Garnett posted improving averages of 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.7 steals.^[1] He also had two games where he registered eight blocks.^[2] With a 40-42 record, the Wolves made their first playoff appearance in franchise history, Garnett and Gugliotta made their first All-Star appearances, and Marbury established himself as a valuable young lead guard. However, the Houston Rockets of legendary center Hakeem Olajuwon swept the Wolves 3-0 in the first round of the 1997 NBA Playoffs.

[edit] 1997-2001: The franchise player

During the 1997-98 NBA season, the Wolves and Garnett agreed on a six year contract extension that was worth an unparalleled 126 million dollars.^[2] This was met with shock around the NBA, and the Wolves were used as scapegoats for the lockout that occurred the next season. The contract was a risky move and many pundits speculated that the deal would make it impossible for the Wolves to sign new players or even keep their own. Despite the furor over his new contract, Garnett continued to improve, averaging 18.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game. Again, he was an All-Star, and the Wolves finished with their first winning record in franchise history (45-37 for the season). For the second consecutive year the young Wolves bowed out of the playoffs in the first round, this time losing 2-3 against the Seattle SuperSonics and superstar point guard Gary Payton. The 2 wins against the Sonics marked the Wolves' first-ever playoff game wins. The offseason started poorly for the Wolves though as 20 point per game scorer Tom Gugliotta left to the Phoenix Suns in the off-season.

In the lockout-shortened season that followed, Garnett broke through as a superstar. Putting up stats of 20.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.8 blocks per game,^[1] he was named to the All-NBA Third Team. However, midway through the season Stephon Marbury was traded to the New Jersey Nets after a dispute over his possible contract extension. Although the Wolves received two-time All-Star Terrell Brandon in return, they were not able to overcome the discord and limped into the playoffs as the 8th seed with a 25-25 record. The Wolves were defeated in the first round again, this time losing 1-3 to the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs who were led by young superstar and eventual NBA Finals MVP Tim Duncan. In the next season, Garnett continued his stellar play, averaging 22.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.5 steals per game and made the first of his three All-NBA First Team appearances.^[1] Assisted by sharpshooting rookie forward Wally Szczerbiak and steady veteran Brandon, the Wolves posted a franchise-best 50-32 record, but succumbed in the first round to the Portland Trail Blazers 3-1.

In the 2000-01 NBA season, things began to head south again for the Wolves. Guard Malik Sealy was killed by a drunk driver and the NBA ruled that the free agent signing of Joe Smith was illegal. The NBA punished the Wolves for the illegal signing by stripping the team of three first-round draft picks, fining Glen Taylor (the owner of the team) $3.5 million dollars, and banning general manager Kevin McHale for one year. 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 of the Playoffs, losing to the Spurs 1-3.

[edit] 2001-04: The superstar

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 row for the sixth consecutive time, this time getting swept 0-3 against the Dallas Mavericks of 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.^[2] 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 to the eventual-champions Los Angeles Lakers, 2 games to 4.

In the 2003-04 NBA season, things finally seemed 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.^[1] 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, playmaker 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 off a 4-2 win.

[edit] 2004-06: Frustration

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,^[1] 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.

[edit] Player profile

Due to his great athleticism, quickness, shooting range, and 6'11" (211 cm) stature, Garnett is widely regarded as one of the most versatile players ever,^[4]^[5] 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 [1]. 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 (6) 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 March 29, 2007, he has scored at least 10 points in 392 straight games, and started 331 straight games. He has also consistently been among the leaders in efficiency rating.^[6]

Men's Basketball
Olympic medal record
Gold	Sydney 2000	United States

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.^[7]

[edit] Achievements

During his time in the league Garnett has established an impressive list of achievements, they include:[2]

NBA Most Valuable Player: 2004
NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2003
10-time NBA All-Star: 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
7-time All-NBA:

First Team: 2000, 2003, 2004
Second Team: 2001, 2002, 2005
Third Team: 1999

7-time All-Defensive:

First Team: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
Second Team: 2006

NBA All-Rookie Second Team: 1996
2-time NBA regular-season leader, PER: 2004 (29.4), 2005 (28.2)
3-time NBA regular-season leader, rebounds per game: 2004 (13.9), 2005 (13.5), 2006 (12.7)
2-time NBA regular-season leader, rebounds: 2004 (1,139), 2005 (1,108)
4-time NBA regular-season leader, defensive rebounds: 2003 (858), 2004 (894), 2005 (861), 2006 (752)
NBA regular-season leader, points: 2004 (1,987)
NBA regular-season leader, field goals made: 2004 (804)
J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award: 2006
Career triple-doubles (regular season): 16 (as of Mar. 4, 2007) [3]
Career triple-doubles (postseason): 3 (as of 2006)
First player in NBA history to:

average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists per game for 6 consecutive seasons. (1999-2005)
reach at least 18,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 4,000 assists, 1,200 steals, and 1,500 blocks in his playing career.

Holds Minnesota Timberwolves franchise record for most points in one game with 47 vs. the Phoenix Suns on January 4, 2005.
Holds Minnesota Timberwolves franchise career records for points, 18,839; rebounds, 10,390; assists, 4,105; blocked shots, 1,558; steals, 1,273; and games played, 916 as of March 21, 2007.
Ranked #70 on SLAM Magazine's Top 75 NBA Players of All Time in 2003.
Achieved 10,000 total rebounds in his career on January 13, 2007.
Career stats (regular season): 916 games, 20.6 ppg, 11.3 rbg, 4.5 apg, 1.7 bpg, 1.4 spg, .492 FG%, .288 3FG%, .779 FT%
Career stats (postseason): 47 games, 22.3 ppg, 13.4 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.9 bpg, 1.3 spg, .458 FG%, .333 3FG%, .761 FT%

[edit] Personal life

Garnett has two sisters, Sonya and Ashley.^[2] He married long time girlfriend Brandi Padilla in the summer of 2004. The two had a private ceremony in California. The wedding was the reason he did not take part in the Olympic games. Brandi is the sister of the wife of Jimmy Jam Harris, one of Garnett's close friends. Garnett is also a cousin to fellow NBA player Shammond Williams, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers^[8], and is the half brother of Louis McCullough, who plays for the Chester Jets in England^[9]

In November 2005, Garnett donated $1.2 million to Oprah's Angel Network to help with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.^[4] As a side note, Garnett loved the Los Angeles Lakers as a child growing up in Mauldin, South Carolina, and idolizes Lakers legend Magic Johnson.^[2]

[edit] Trivia

In March of 2007, Garnett was the subject of a satirical article in The Onion entitled "Kevin Garnett: 'I Want To Stay In Minnesota Because I Like Losing'"^[10]

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] External links

Preceded by Tim Duncan	NBA Most Valuable Player 2003-04	Succeeded by Steve Nash
Preceded by Kobe Bryant	NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player 2003	Succeeded by Shaquille O'Neal

2000 Olympic Champions Men's Basketball

Coach Rudy Tomjanovich

EA Sports NBA Live Cover Athletes

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