Kevin Garnett

Infobox NBA player
name = Kevin Garnett
nickname = The Big Ticket
KG
The Kid
Go-Go Gadget Arms [ [http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba/nbacom/kia/kia_defpoy_cand_garnett_k_2008.asx Garnett's Top 10 Defensive Plays] , "NBA.com"]

---

caption =
league = NBA
height_ft = 6
height_in = 11
weight_lb = 220
position = Power forward/Center
birth_date = birth date and age|1976|5|19
birth_place = Mauldin, South Carolina
highschool = Mauldin HS
(Mauldin, South Carolina),
Farragut Academy HS
(Chicago, Illinois)
college = None
team = Boston Celtics
number = 5
nationality = USA
draft = 5th overall
draft_team = Minnesota Timberwolves
draft_year = 1995
career_start = 1995
career_end =
former_teams = Minnesota Timberwolves (1995–2007)
awards = 11-time NBA All-Star
1-time NBA Champion
(2008)
NBA Most Valuable Player
(2004)
NBA Defensive Player of the Year
(2008)
All-NBA First Team
(2000, 2003, 2004, 2008)
All-NBA Second Team
(2001, 2002, 2005)
All-NBA Third Team
(1999, 2007)
All-Defensive First Team
(2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008)
All-Defensive Second Team
(2006, 2007)
NBA All-Rookie Second Team
(1996)
NBA All-Star Game MVP
(2003)
J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
(2006)

Kevin Maurice Garnett (born May 19, 1976 in Mauldin, South Carolina) is an American professional basketball player for the NBA's Boston Celtics. The height|ft=6|in=11|wiki=yes, convert|220|lb|kg st|abbr=on|lk=on power forward [http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Garnett_Kevin.html 'Da Kid' progressed quickly] ] . After graduating from Farragut Career Academy, he was the fifth player drafted in 1995. He became the first NBA player drafted directly out of high school in 20 years. His accomplishments include being voted Most Valuable Player of the 2003-04 season, NBA Defensive Player of the Year of the 2007-08 season, being named to eleven All-Star teams and being named to eight All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams.cite web|url=http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/garneke01.html|title=www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/garneke01.html ] He is also the all-time leader in NBA seasons played with averages of at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists per game.

Early years

Garnett was born in Mauldin, South Carolina to Shirley Garnett and O'Lewis McCullough. [cite web|url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~battle/celeb/garnett.htm|title=freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~battle/celeb/garnett.htm ] In his first three high school years, Garnett played for Mauldin High School. However, during the summer prior to his senior year of high school, Kevin was in the general vicinity of a fight between black and white students. Although not directly involved, Garnett was arrested. Due to the racially charged incident and fearful of being a target, Garnett decided to leave Mauldin.cite web|url=http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Garnett/Garnett_bio.html|title=www.jockbio.com/Bios/Garnett/Garnett_bio.html ] He transferred to Farragut Career Academy in Chicago, Illinois for his senior year of high school. 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 66.7% 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.cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/kevin_garnett/bio.html|title=www.nba.com/playerfile/kevin_garnett/bio.html ] Garnett played alongside Ronnie Fields in high school, who also followed a professional career. Garnett also excelled in soccer during his high school days.

NBA career

1995–97: First years

Garnett was drafted with the fifth pick of the 1995 NBA Draft by the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves, and became the first player to be drafted directly out of high school since Moses Malone in 1974. After joining the NBA for the 1989-90 season, the Timberwolves had not won more than 29 games in any season. [cite web|url=http://www.databasebasketball.com/teams/teampage.htm?tm=min&lg=n|title=www.databasebasketball.com/teams/teampage.htm?tm=min&lg=n ] In Garnett's rookie season, the Timberwolves were in the midst of a transition phase; they replaced Bill Blair with Flip Saunders as head coach early in the season and made several trades. Garnett initially came off the bench in his rookie year, but moved into the starting lineup soon after Saunders became head coach. 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. Despite having some promising players, the Timberwolves 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.

Before the next season, the Timberwolves made a draft-day trade for point guard Stephon Marbury of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. During the season Garnett posted improving averages of 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.7 steals. He also had two games where he registered eight blocks. With a 40–42 record, the Timberwolves 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, led by Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, and Charles Barkley proved to be too much as the Timberwolves were swept 3–0 in the first round of the 1997 NBA Playoffs.

1997–2001: Franchise player

During the 1997-98 NBA season, the Timberwolves and Garnett agreed on a six-year contract extension that was worth an unparalleled $126 million. This was met with shock around the NBA, and the Timberwolves 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 Timberwolves finished with their first winning record in franchise history (45–37 for the season). For the second consecutive year the young Timberwolves 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 two wins against the Sonics marked the Wolves' first-ever playoff game wins. The off-season started poorly for the Timberwolves though as 20 point per game scorer Tom Gugliotta left to the Phoenix Suns.

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, 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 notable 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 four All-NBA First Team appearances. 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 1999-00 NBA season, Timberwolves' 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 team 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, 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 3–1.

2001–04: Playoff success

In the 2001-02 NBA season, Garnett posted another notable 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 Timberwolves bowed out in the first round for the sixth consecutive time, this time getting swept 3–0 by the Dallas Mavericks led by Michael Finley, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki. Garnett's next season was one of the best 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 Timberwolves 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 Los Angeles Lakers, 4 games to 2.

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 Timberwolves had made two valuable acquisitions: 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 inconsistent Michael Olowokandi. Powered by the best supporting cast in his career, Garnett averaged 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.5 steals per game for the season, earning his first Most Valuable Player award. With a franchise-record 58 wins, 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 4–3 in the Western Conference Semifinals, Garnett and the Timberwolves met the Lakers. Against the Lakers, playmaker Cassell went down with a back injury. With reserve point guard Hudson also injured, the Timberwolves alternated between third playmaker Darrick Martin and shooting guard Fred Hoiberg at the "one", or even running Garnett himself as point forward or a real point guard. The Lakers pulled off a 4–2 series win.

2004–07: Frustration

In the 2004-05 NBA season, the Timberwolves experienced serious internal friction as Cassell and Sprewell pokered for better contracts and Hudson was unhappy as a reserve. Garnett was named to the All-NBA Second Team, but with a mediocre 44–38 record, the Timberwolves 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 Timberwolves skidded to a 33–49 record. Despite Garnett's play, the team logged the second worst record since Garnett joined the franchise. On 10 May 2007 Garnett was named to the All-NBA Third Team.

During the 2007 off-season, Taylor admitted that although he had planned on retaining Garnett, he would finally listen to trade offers. [ [http://www.startribune.com/507/story/1261571.html Sid Hartman, June 21: KG traded? Taylor says don't bet on it ] ] Garnett's name was mentioned in various trade rumors involving the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, and Dallas Mavericks. [http://www.chronicleonline.com/articles/2007/06/28/sports/sports10.txt] [ [http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/46747/20070627/phoenix_atlanta_minnesota_three_way_close/ RealGM: Wiretap Archives: Phoenix, Atlanta, Minnesota Three-Way Close? ] ] [http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/ny-spkobe0626,0,4957812.story?coll=ny-sports-headlines] [ [http://www.startribune.com/511/story/1256570.html Celtics' Ainge discusses Garnett deal with Wolves ] ] [http://www.mercurynews.com/timkawakami/ci_6259427] [http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?id=2920065&sport=nba&ft=ss]

2007–"present": Boston Celtics

On July 31, Kevin Garnett, now wearing #5, was traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, cash considerations, Boston's 2009 first-round draft pick (top 3 protected) and the 2009 first-round pick Minnesota had traded to Boston in the Ricky Davis-Wally Szczerbiak trade of 2006. [cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press073107-garnett.html|title=www.nba.com/celtics/news/press073107-garnett.html ] The 7-for-1 deal constitutes the largest number of players traded for a single player in league history. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=2956104 Celtics obtain former MVP in 7-for-1 deal] July 31, 2007] At the time of the trade, Garnett had the longest current tenure of any player in the NBA with one team, having played for the Timberwolves for his first 12 seasons (a total of 927 games). Garnett is cited at ESPN.com as saying he is proud to be a part of the Celtics, and hopes to continue its proud tradition and basketball success. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2954127|title=Sources: Celtics, Wolves closing in on KG trade] [cite web|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20029788/|title=Celtics to get Wolves' Garnett, sources say] [cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/wires/07/30/2030.ap.bkn.celtics.garnett.trade.0159/|title=Celtics, Timberwolves agree to send Garnett to Boston] On the day the trade was announced, Garnett signed a three-year $60 million contract extension that will start after his current deal runs out in two years.

On August 1, the day after signing his Celtics contract, Garnett threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park prior to a Red Sox-Orioles game. Garnett has claimed to be a long-time Red Sox fan. [cite web|url=http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070801&content_id=2123890&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos|title=Garnett makes a splash at Fenway]

On January 24, it was announced that Garnett led all players in final votes received in the NBA All-Star Ballot that determined the starters for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game. Garnett received 2,399,148 votes, the 6th highest total in NBA All-Star Balloting history. Among active players, Garnett's 11 All-Star selections rank second to Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal, who has appeared 14 times in the All-Star Game. [ [http://www.nba.com/allstar2008/allstar_starters_080124.html Boston's Kevin Garnett Top Vote-Getter Among All-Stars] , NBA.com, January 24, 2008.] However, Garnett was unable to play due to an abdominal strain, and Detroit Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace was named by NBA Commissioner David Stern to replace him. [ [http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/celtics/index.php/2008/02/10/garnett-out-of-all-star-game-wallace-in/ Garnett out of All-Star Game, Wallace in] , "Boston Herald", February 10, 2008.] [Steve Bulpett, [http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1072714 No 'Big Ticket' for an All-Star event] , "Boston Herald", February 11, 2008.] East All-Star head coach Doc Rivers replaced Garnett with Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh in the starting lineup. [Marc J. Spears, [http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/02/16/rondo_will_have_to_pay_up/?page=2 Rondo will have to pay up] , "The Boston Globe", February 16, 2008.]

On March 8, Garnett passed 20,000 points for his career, becoming the 32nd player in NBA history to achieve that mark, [ [http://www.nba.com/news/garnett20k_080307.html Kevin Garnett Reaches 20,000-Point Plateau] , "NBA.com", March 8, 2008.] with a layup in the 2nd quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies. [Steve Bulpett, [http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1078957&srvc=celt&position=1 C's go extra milestone - Numbers come up for Garnett, Allen] , "Boston Herald", March 9, 2008.] The only other active players who have passed that mark are Shaquille O'Neal, Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant. [ [http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=280308029 Allen, Celtics breeze by Grizzlies for eighth straight win] , "Associated Press", March 8, 2008.]

On April 22, Garnett was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the 2007-08 season. [ [http://www.nba.com/news/garnett_defensive_080422.html Kevin Garnett Wins Kia Defensive Player of the Year] , "NBA.com", April 22, 2008.] [ [http://www.nba.com/celtics/playoffs2008/press042208-garnett-defensive-player.html Kevin Garnett Wins NBA Defensive Player of the Year] , "Celtics.com", April 22, 2008.] It was the only major award a Celtic player had not claimed since the franchise's foundation in 1946. [Marc J. Spears, [http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/04/22/garnett_wins_nba_defensive_player_award/ Garnett wins NBA defensive player award] , "The Boston Globe", April 22, 2008.] However, Garnett claimed it was a team effort which helped him win the award. [Couper Moorhead, [http://www.nba.com/celtics/playoffs2008/sidebar042208-garnett-defensive-player-year.html KG Calls Defensive Player of the Year Award a "Team Effort"] , "Celtics.com", April 22, 2008.]

On June 17, Garnett helped the Celtics to their 17th NBA Championship, with 26 points and 14 rebounds in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

Personal life

Garnett married long time girlfriend Brandi Padilla during a private ceremony in California. The wedding was the reason he did not take part in the Olympic games. The marriage also made Garnett the brother-in-law of music producer Jimmy Jam Harris.Fact|date=April 2008 Garnett is also a cousin to former Los Angeles Lakers player Shammond Williams, [cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/shammond_williams/bio.html|title=www.nba.com/playerfile/shammond_williams/bio.html ] and is the half brother of Louis McCullough, who played for the ABA's Syracuse Raging Bullz.

In November 2005, Garnett donated $1.2 million to Oprah's Angel Network to help with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.Fact|date=May 2008

He is a soccer fan, being known to follow Chelsea F.C. of the English Premier League, as well as having been spotted at various Los Angeles Galaxy games.Fact|date=April 2008

In the New England area, Garnett is a resident of Concord, Massachusetts, owning a home worth roughly $4.6 million.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view.bg?articleid=1039710 | title = "Garnett" | format = | work = | publisher = Boston Herald | accessdate = October 22 | accessyear = 2007]

Although Garnett is officially listed as height|ft=6|in=11 by the NBA, many, including the Celtics organization, believe he is height|ft=7|in=1. [Peter Stringer, [http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/blog/post-ups.html Postgame Wrap Up - KG or K9?] , "Celtics.com", March 28, 2008.] [Shira Springer, [http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2007/07/more_details_on.html Garnett deal in place] , "The Boston Globe", July 30, 2007.] During the 2007 NBA All-Star Game, Garnett admitted in an interview with Craig Sager to be height|ft=6|in=11.75 tall. [ [http://youtube.com/watch?v=PRIm4_yvocc Kevin Garnett Craig Sager Interview 2007 All Star Game] , "YouTube"]

His nicknames include "The Big Ticket", "KG", "The Kid", and formerly "The Franchise" (after being known as the Minnesota Timberwolves' franchise player).cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/kevin_garnett/bio.html|title=www.nba.com/playerfile/kevin_garnett/bio.html ]

Garnett missed two Celtics practices leading up to the playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks to attend the birth of his baby on April 18, 2008. [Marc J. Spears, [http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2008/04/kg_back_1.html K.G. back] , "The Boston Globe", April 19, 2008.] [cite web | url = http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3355013 | title = Report: Garnett back with team after birth of first child | accessdate = April 19 | accessyear = 2008]

Achievements

During his time in the league Garnett has established a long list of achievements, including:
*NBA Champion: 2008
*NBA Most Valuable Player: 2004
*NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 2008
*USA Olympics: Gold Medal: 2000
*NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2003
*11-time NBA All-Star: 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
*9-time All-NBA::*First Team: 2000, 2003, 2004, 2008:*Second Team: 2001, 2002, 2005:*Third Team: 1999, 2007
*9-time All-Defensive::*First Team: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008:*Second Team: 2006, 2007
*NBA All-Rookie Second Team: 1996
*4-time NBA regular-season leader, rebounds per game: 2004 (13.9), 2005 (13.5), 2006 (12.7), 2007 (12.8)
*2-time NBA regular-season leader, rebounds: 2004 (1,139), 2005 (1,108)
*5-time NBA regular-season leader, defensive rebounds: 2003 (858), 2004 (894), 2005 (861), 2006 (752), 2007 (792)
*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): 17 (as of March 4, 2007) [cite web|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2007020716|title=sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2007020716 ]
*Career triple-doubles (post-season): 3 (as of 2006)
*Only player in NBA history to::*average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists per game for 6 consecutive seasons. (1999–2005):*average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists per game for 9 consecutive seasons. (1998–2007):*reach at least 20,000 points, 11,000 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, 19,041; rebounds, 10,542; assists, 4,146; blocked shots, 1,576; steals, 1,282; and games played, 927.
*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): 998 games, 20.4 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1.6 bpg, 1.4 spg, .494 FG%, .284 3P%, .781 FT%
*Career stats (post-season): 48 games, 22.2 ppg, 13.3 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.8 bpg, 1.3 spg, .457 FG%, .333 3P%, .761 FT%

Footnotes

External links

*NBA-profile
*basketball-reference
* [http://www.kevingarnett.com Official website]
* [http://videos.espn.com/video/basketball/boston-celtics/kevin-garnett.htm Kevin Garnett Video at ESPN]

Persondata
NAME = Garnett, Kevin
ALTERNATIVE NAMES = KG
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Basketball forward
DATE OF BIRTH = May 19, 1976
PLACE OF BIRTH = Mauldin, South Carolina
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =