Kevin Garnett
(Born 1976)
Hall of Fame Induction: 2020
Card Shown:
2004 Upper Deck
Authentic Fabrics
Position: PF
Height: 6’11”
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Kevin Garnett was a ferocious competitor, a passionate, intense, hyper-focused player on the hardwood who enjoyed verbal sparring. At 6’11”, with his long, wiry frame, Kevin was not the typical bruising power forward. His speed, strength, and athleticism paired with an effective jump shot and ball-handling abilities, made him a tough opponent.
Garnett had a long and distinguished 21-year career in the NBA, playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, and Brooklyn Nets. Selected by Minnesota with the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 1995 NBA Draft, Kevin was the first player drafted directly from high school in twenty years. He led the Timberwolves to the playoffs eight times in his first twelve seasons before he was traded to the Celtics. With Boston, Garnett earned the ultimate goal, an NBA championship, in his first season with the team.
Awards and Honors
- At the end of the 2007-08 season, his first year in Boston, Kevin led Boston to the NBA championship. Teaming with Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo, Garnett and the Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 in the NBA Finals. That Lakers team featured Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, and Derek Fisher.
- Kevin was named the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2003-04, when he led the Timberwolves to a 58-24 record and a Midwest Division title. Minnesota lost to the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals. Garnett averaged 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game that year.
- Garnett was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2007-08. He was All-Defensive First team nine times and All-Defensive Second Team three times during his career.
- Kevin was a fifteen-time NBA All-Star and in 2003 he won the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player award.
- Garnett was a nine-time All-NBA selection. He made the All-NBA First Team four times, the All-NBA Second Team three times, and the All-NBA Third Team twice.
Points of Interest
- Kevin led the NBA in rebounding four in four consecutive seasons. From 2003-04 through 2006-07, he averaged 13.9, 13.5, 12.7, and 12.8 rebounds, respectively.
- In 2016, ESPN ranked Garnett as the fifth greatest power forward in history. The first four, in order, were Tim Duncan, Karl Malone, Dirk Nowitzki, and Charles Barkley. Some may argue the order, but none will argue that Kevin is one of the best power forwards of all time.
- Garnett, also called KG, received the nickname “The Big Ticket” because he was the main reason that people came to watch the Timberwolves play.
- Kevin is the only player in history to record over 25,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 5,000 assists, 1,500 steals, and 1,500 blocked shots during his NBA career.
- Garnett finished his NBA career with averages of 17.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
Statistics
Kevin Garnett Statistics
provided by Basketball-Reference.com