Athletes - Kevin Garnett

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	Athletes - Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett (born May 19, 1976 in Mauldin, South Carolina), often simply known as KG, is an All-Star professional basketball player in the NBA playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is also known by the nickname The Big Ticket or 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. 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. The versatile Garnett can play all five positions on the floor, though he has made his mark playing the power forward position.

NBA career

Garnett initially came off the bench in his rookie year, but moved into the starting lineup in the middle of the season and ended up leading the Minnesota Timberwolves in blocks. 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.

Garnett is considered to be one of the most complete players at the power forward position. Although nearly standing at 7 feet, he possesses great athleticism, ball handling skills and court vision. He is also one of the most versatile defenders, 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 (6) of averaging at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, which had been held by Larry Bird.

Recently rumors have been swirling about possible trades with the Timberwolves being underachievers for much of the 2005-06 season. The Timberwolves organization has rarely commented about the rumors, but seem to be committed to building a team around Garnett, rather than trading him.

Achievements

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

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

6-time All-Defensive:

:* First Team: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

NBA All-Rookie Second Team: 1996
2-time NBA PER leader: 2004 (29.4), 2005 (28.2)
2-time NBA leader, rebounds per game: 2004 (13.9), 2005 (13.5)
2-time NBA leader, total rebounds: 2004 (1139), 2005 (1108)
NBA leader, total points: 2004 (1987)
Only player in NBA history to:

:* average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists per season for six consecutive seasons. :* reach at least 17,000 points, 9,000 rebounds, 3,800 assists, 1,175 steals, and 1,400 blocks in his career.

Holds Minnesota Timberwolves franchise record for most points in one game with 47 vs. the Phoenix Suns on January 4, 2005.
Ranked #70 on SLAM Magazine's Top 75 NBA Players of All Time in 2003.

Off the court

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 the sister of the wife of Jimmy Jam Harris, one of Kevin's close friends.
Kevin loved the Chicago Bulls as a kid in his native Chicago.
In November 2005, Garnett donated $1.2 million to help with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Kevin Garnett ]

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Athletes - Kevin Garnett

NBA career

Achievements

Off the court

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