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Kevin Garnett (born May 19, 1976, in Mauldin,
South Carolina) is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's
Minnesota Timberwolves. He is also referred to by the nicknames "KG", "The
Big Ticket" and "The Kid". 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. The personal highlight of his successful, though
championship free, career thus far has been winning the 2004 NBA Most
Valuable Player Award.
Garnett initially came off the bench in his rookie year, but moved into the
starting lineup in the middle of the season and led the Minnesota
Timberwolves in blocks.
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He has since played the role of leader on the Timberwolves, and an A-status
players in the NBA. Garnett was selected to play in every All-Star Game
after his second season and ultimately winning the All-Star MVP in 2003.
Garnett was a candidate for the MVP in 2002 and 2003. After finishing second
to Tim Duncan in 2003, he posted 24.3 points per game and leading the NBA in
rebounds per game at 13.9, he was awarded the MVP honor.
Despite these accomplishments, Garnett and the Timberwolves have struggled
in the playoffs. They went on a first round losing streak of seven years.
The streak ended in 2004, as the Timberwolves, with the best record in the
Western Conference defeated the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings. However
they fell short of the NBA Finals losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the
Western Conference Finals.
Garnett became the 5th player in NBA history to score 30+ points and grab
20+ rebounds in a 7th game of a series. (Clearing doubts of his skills and
the MVP title that was in question.) He registered 32 points and 21 rebounds
in the Game 7 victory over Sacramento. However, the Timberwolves failed to
match this performance in 2005 the first year (8 consecutive playoff births)
they did not make the playoffs.
Garnett is considered to be one of the most complete power forward player.
Despite standing near 7 feet tall, he has great athleticism, ball handling
skills. He is also one of the most versatile defenders, being able to defend
point guards to centers. Garnett is also a model of consistency; as of
January 11, 2006, he has scored at least 10 points in 279 straight games,
and started 309 straight games. He holds the record for most consecutive
seasons of averaging at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, which
had been held by Larry Bird. He has also consistenly been among the leaders
in efficiency rating.
By the latter half of the 2005-06 season, the Timberwolves were out of the
playoff hunt, and rumors arose suggesting they would entertain trade offers
for Garnett. At a post-season press conference, the Timberwolves GM Kevin
McHale put these rumors to rest.
Garnett leads all active NBA players (11 years) for the distinction of
having played his entire career for only one team. Tied for second place are
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia
76ers, each of whom have played 10 seasons for their respective teams.
Because of his great athleticism and 6'11" (212 cm) stature, he is widely
considered to be one of the most unique and revolutionary basketball players
to currently play the game. The versatile Garnett can at times seemingly
play all five positions on the floor, though he has made his mark playing
the power forward position. Garnett is widely considered as one of the most
complete basketball players ever. He combines athleticism with talent, being
able to play any position from center to point guard and contribute on both
ends of the court. He regularly records 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists
a game (he regularly leads in double-doubles), is a good shot blocker and is
known for his smothering defense. On offense, he can score from the paint
and from outside, often scoring with his deadly turnaround jump shot. He
regularly leads NBA.com's efficiency ranking.
In spite of his stats, team success has eluded Garnett. On one hand, he
arguably never had the teammates (except for the one-year stint of Latrell
Sprewell and Sam Cassell), but critics say that Garnett has never succeeded
to make his teammates better, in contrast to contemporary "big men" like
Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan who helped shape talents like Penny Hardaway,
Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Tony Parker or Manu Ginobili into legitimate
superstars. Furthermore, he is one of the few superstars who has missed the
playoffs in consecutive years during the prime of his career. |
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