Kevin Garnett

Kevin Maurice Garnett ( born May 19, 1976 in Mauldin, South Carolina ) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA. Garnett is one of the best players in the NBA, 15 - time NBA all-star. In addition, he was nine and twelve times chosen team to the All-Defensive team to the All- NBA.

Career

High School

Kevin Garnett played for Mauldin High School basketball. In his second year at the school Garnett got into a fight between white and African American students and was, although he was not directly involved in the fight, was arrested. To be a result of this race -related struggle and the danger targeted to Garnett who leave Mauldin High School decided. He moved to Farragut Career Academy in Chicago, Illinois and led the school to 28 wins in 30 games, which led to his appointment as National High School Player of the Year by USA Today. In addition, he was named Mr. Basketball of Illinois thanks to his 25.2 points, 17.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 6.5 blocks per game. In his four years high school basketball Garnett scored 2,553 points, 1,809 rebounds and blocked fetched 737 litters. At the McDonald 's All- American game, he recorded 18 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks, after which he was appointed Most Outstanding Player of the tournament and is filed shortly thereafter for the NBA Draft in 1995. The last players who were drafted directly out of high school to the NBA, were Moses Malone and Darryl Dawkins more than 20 years.

Minnesota Timberwolves (1995-2007)

The Minnesota Timberwolves secured the rights to the exceptional young talent Kevin Garnett with the fifth overall pick in the NBA Draft 1995. Thus he became the first player since 1975, which was drafted directly out of high school to the NBA. Garnett managed to not immediately jump to the Superstar as players who years after him also out of high school to the NBA were drafted, such as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James or Dwight Howard, but he had to first establish from the bench. He quickly made ​​it to the starting grid and was also prompt the leader of the team. For the playoffs, it was not enough in his first year, but he made ​​it to the NBA All - Rookie Second Team. Even before the NBA season could start 1996-1997, the Timberwolves the young point guard Stephon Marbury collected via trade. Garnett's points average of 10.4 points scored in the previous year to 17.0 points per game and he was rewarded with an NBA All- Star Game attendance. The Timberwolves made ​​it for the first time since its inception in the NBA playoffs, but they could around the Houston Rockets Hakeem Olajuwon oppose anything and had to admit defeat after three games.

During the NBA 1997-1998 season Garnett extended his contract with the Timberwolves to six years and a total of $ 126 million. A height of this unprecedented agreement caused quite a stir in the media and was reportedly one of the reasons for the NBA lockout, which would be followed a year later. Despite the hype Garnett raised his average to 18.5 points per game and also posted 9.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.7 steals per game. He was again named to the All- Star, and the Timberwolves could win in a season as they lost for the first time since its inception more games. But it was not enough again to come out of the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Timberwolves could win at least two games and thus win their first victories in the playoffs since the existence of the team. The following season was shortened to 50 games because of the lockout. Although the Timberwolves Stephon Marbury had weggetradet, they were able to qualify for the playoffs. They had to the San Antonio Spurs, who could win the NBA championship, subsequently, to admit defeat after four games. The following NBA season, 1999-2000, Garnett is improved even further: 22.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.5 steals per game secured him his initial appointment to the All- NBA 1st Team. Despite 50 wins and thus the best season in the history of the Timberwolves, it was not enough one more time to get out of the first round of the NBA playoffs. Before the next season began, Malik Sealy, a player the Timberwolves, hit by a drunk driver and was killed. The Timberwolves took Joe Smith under contract, but the NBA declared this to be illegal and punished the team hard: to them the next three first- round picks were taken away, they had to pay $ 3.5 million, and general manager Kevin McHale was suspended for one year. Nevertheless, we succeeded Garnett, his team lead to 47 wins, but it was again in the very first round final.

In the NBA 2001-2002 season Garnett posted 21.2 points, 12.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. Despite all efforts, the Timberwolves had again beaten in the first round of the NBA playoffs, this time after only three games against the Dallas Mavericks around Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Finley. The next season was one of Garnett's best: 23 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 steals per game speak for themselves. He was rewarded with his second enlistment in the All- NBA 1st team and the second place in the voting for MVP of the regular season. With 51 victories, they were able to qualify a second time for the playoffs, but after six games against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round already back end. In the NBA 2003-2004 season, it finally seemed better for Garnett and run the Timberwolves. So far, the team resembled more of a one-man show, but this season, the team from Minnesota with Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell could intensify. With the best players, which he had until then, Garnett posted 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2.2 blocks and 1.5 steals per game. The Timberwolves as never before won this season as many games. Because of these 58 wins and Karrierebestleistungen in points, rebounds and blocks Garnett was voted MVP of the regular season. In the NBA playoffs the Timberwolves finally succeeded the long-awaited jump from the first round after five games against the Denver Nuggets. In the second round they could prevail in seven games against the extremely strong Sacramento Kings. In the Western Conference Finals, they had to play the Lakers, who were able to prevail in six games against the Timberwolves against the Los Angeles.

After the previous best season of his career it was all downhill for the time being Garnett. In the following season, the Timberwolves could not qualify for the playoffs, and another season later, Latrell Sprewell left the team, and Sam Cassell was traded. The Timberwolves were able to enter only 33 victories. Another season later, it was enough only for 32 victories. In the offseason, the first rumors were heard that Garnett would have in a trade. The rumor mill outright.

Boston Celtics (2007-2013)

On 31 July 2007, Kevin Garnett for Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, Boston's first- round pick in 2009, Minnesota's first- round pick in 2009 ( from a previous trade) and money to the Boston Celtics traded. Never in the history of the NBA so many players have been given away for a single player. On the same day he extended his current contract early to 2009 for three years for $ 60 million. Since the Celtics also could get Ray Allen and Paul Pierce already had superstar in their ranks, they were one of the favorites for the NBA championship. They were given the nickname " The Big Three" - the same nickname, the earlier Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish had. As Garnett's former jersey number 21 was not awarded by the Celtics, he decided from then on the jersey number to wear 5. In his first game in a Boston Celtics jersey Garnett scored 22 points and took 20 rebounds. He got the most votes in fan voting for the NBA All- Star Game in 2008, but due to an injury he could not participate in the game. On March 8, 2008 Garnett scored in a game against the Memphis Grizzlies the 20,000 point of his career. After the season, he was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Garnett helped the Celtics subsequently to their 17th NBA Championship.

In the NBA 2008-2009 season, Garnett was selected for the twelfth time in a row to the NBA All-Star Game. Shortly after the All-Star Game Garnett is injured in a game against the Utah Jazz and had to sit 14 games. After his return, he decided after four games for safety's sake to cure his knee and missed the remaining 25 games of the regular season and the playoffs. The Celtics were beaten in the second round of the Orlando Magic. The following NBA season, 2009-2010, the Celtics received reinforcement in the form of Rasheed Wallace. Kevin Garnett was selected for the thirteenth consecutive time All-Star. The Celtics were the fourth best team in the Eastern Conference in this injury -plagued season and could be in the NBA Playoffs against the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic enforce before they were defeated in the NBA Finals by the Los Angeles Lakers.

In the summer of 2010, the Celtics reinforced among others, the former All-Stars Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal. Garnett was nominated this season for the 14th time for the All -Star Game and finished the 2010-2011 season with the Celtics behind the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat in third place in the Eastern Conference. In the first round of the NBA Playoffs 2011 Celtics sweepten the New York Knicks before they lost in the second round of the Miami Heat with their three superstars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Despite the career end of Shaquille O'Neal, the injury-related Saisonaus of Jeff Green and the tight game plan during the lockout, the aging Celtics in the 2011-2012 season could even qualify for NBA playoff more. As a reason for the game Garnett is considered center where he aufstellte better statistics in the season than before on the position of power forward. He was able to build with 19.2 points and 10.4 rebounds on past performance and led the Celtics after victories over the Atlanta Hawks (4-2 ) and Philadelphia 76ers (4-3 ) in the Eastern Conference Finals. Towards the later NBA champion Miami Heat, the Celtics were subject remains just 3-4 after leading 3-2 in the meantime. After the season, the Boston Celtics decided to contract with Garnett to extend by a further three years. The new contract will bring him $ 34 million and make it to the NBA professional with the highest career earnings. So far, Garnett is an estimated $ 291 million just behind the $ 292 million that Shaquille O'Neal has earned in his pro career in the NBA.

Brooklyn Nets (since 2013)

On July 12, Garnett was traded along with Paul Pierce and Jason Terry to the Brooklyn Nets. In return, were sent, among others, Gerald Wallace and Kris Humphries to Boston. For the Nets, he will wear the shirt number 2.

Honours & Awards

  • NBA Championship: 2008
  • NBA Most Valuable Player: 2004
  • NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 2008
  • NBA All- Star Game MVP: 2003
  • 9x All- NBA Team 4x First Team: 2000, 2003, 2004, 2008
  • 3x Second Team in 2001, 2002, 2005
  • 2x Third Team in 1999, 2007
  • 9x First Team: 2000-2005, 2008-2009, 2011
  • 3x Second Team: 2006-2007, 2012

Others

His nicknames include "The Big Ticket ", " The Kid" and " KG ".

Kevin Garnett is the first player in NBA history to average (at least) 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists per game reached in six consecutive seasons (1999-2005).

He is also the first player in all 5 categories (points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks) appears at least in the top 50 all-time best list.

Garnett reached as one of three NBA players (at least) 25,000 points, 14,000 rebounds, 5,200 assists, 1,100 steals and 1,100 blocks in his career. This was so far besides him only Kareem Abdul- Jabbar, Karl Malone. In addition, he is the 16th player who scored more than 25,000 points in his career. He is the only player to have at least 25,000 points, 14,000 rebounds, 5,000 assists, 1700 steals and blocks collected in 1900. During the All-Star game in 2003, where he was subsequently awarded the All-Star MVP, Garnett scored the second highest score, 37 The record of Michael Jordan is 40 points.

Currently (as of: January 27, 2014):

Regular season:

Games: 1360 ( rank: 9)

Number of points: 25,530 ( rank: 15)

Rebounds: 14,096 ( rank: 10)

Assists: 5,283 ( rank: 49)

Steals: 1,776 ( rank: 16)

Blocks: 1.993 (Rank: 18)

Currently (as of 15 May 2013):

Playoffs:

Games: 131

Points: 2518

Rebounds: 1458

Assists: 455

Steals: 169

Blocks: 181

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