Kevin Garnett
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Kevin Garnett (born May 19, 1976 in Mauldin, South Carolina), often simply known as KG, is a professional basketball player in the NBA. He is also known by the nickname The Big Ticket. After graduating from Farragut Academy in Chicago, he was drafted in 1995, the first player in 20 years to join the league straight from high school. Because of his freakish athleticism and 7-foot stature, he is widely considered to be one of the most unique and revolutionary basketball players ever to play the game. Garnett can play all five positions on the floor, though he has made his mark playing the power forward position.
Garnett started slow, but ended up leading the Minnesota Timberwolves in blocks in his rookie season. He has since become not only the best player on the Timberwolves, but also one of the best players in the NBA. Garnett was selected to play in every All-Star game after his second season, winning All-Star MVP in 2003.
Garnett was a candidate for league MVP in 2002 and 2003, finishing second in the voting to Tim Duncan in 2003. He was named league MVP in 2004 after posting 24.3 points per game and leading the NBA in rebounds per game at 13.9.
Garnett and the Timberwolves have had difficulty in the playoffs, however, losing seven consecutive first round series. This streak ended in 2004, as the Timberwolves achieved the best record in the Western Conference and defeated the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings in the playoffs before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. In the process, Garnett silenced numerous critics when he became only the 5th player in history to record 30+ points and 20+ rebounds in a 7th game. He registered 32 points and 21 rebounds in the Game 7 victory over Sacramento. Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell played key roles alongside Garnett in the Timberwolves' 2004 success. However, they failed to match this performance in 2005, leading to the Timberwolves' shocking failure to make the playoffs that year.
Kevin 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 sisters with the wife of Jimmy Jam Harris who is one of Kevin's close friends.
External links
- Garnett's official website (http://www.upperdeck.com/athletes/kevingarnett)
| 2000 Olympic Champions Men's Basketball |
| Shareef Abdur-Rahim | Ray Allen | Vin Baker | Vince Carter | Kevin Garnett | Tim Hardaway | Allan Houston | Jason Kidd | Antonio McDyess | Alonzo Mourning | Gary Payton | Steve Smith |
| Coach Rudy Tomjanovich |