Kevin Garnett was Let Down by Minnesota

Kevin Garnett was Let Down by Minnesota

Long before his days as a Boston Celtic, Kevin Garnett began his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves. At the time, the team was only seven years old. The Minnesota franchise was the official return of Minneapolis to the NBA after the Lakers had relocated for Los Angeles. Like many expansion franchises, the Minnesota Timberwolves struggled in its early years, losing out on such stars as Shaquille O'Neal and Chris Webber. However, in 1995, their luck would change.

In the summer of 1995, the Minnesota Timberwolves earned the fifth overall pick in the NBA Draft. That season had some unusual twists and turns. High school phenom, Kevin Garnett shocked the sports media when he revealed that he would not be attending college for the following season. Instead, he chose to go straight into the NBA. Because of his youth, some critics doubted him and teams passed on him. Desperate for some youthful energy, the Timberwolves took a chance on him.

The arrival of Kevin Garnett did not have an immediate impact, but the team did improve upon its record from the previous season. Kevin Garnett helped the team improve by five games, but they were still far from the playoffs. However, the next season, the executives that ran the organization felt that they should build around their young star in Garnett. The result of this decision was KG leading the Wolves to a 40-42 record and their first-ever playoff appearance. Because of their record, the Wolves landed a very-talented Houston Rockets team that swept them from the playoffs. The following season, Garnett's play improved and the Wolves improved to 45-37.

Each season, Kevin Garnett would put up MVP-like numbers, but his team managed to lose in the first round each year. That was until 2004, when they team added veterans, such as Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell. Those additions and the continued growth of Garnett would lead to the Wolves posting the best record in franchise history at 58-24. Not only was it the best record in franchise history, but it was also the best record in the Western Conference that season. Having led his team to a third-consecutive 50 win season and the best record in the West, Kevin Garnett was awarded the NBA MVP award. The team would go straight to the Western Conference Finals, only to lose in six games to the more-experienced Los Angeles Lakers.

Despite losing in the Conference Finals that season, Kevin Garnett and the Timberwolves were expected to be contenders the next season. Like the previous season, the Wolves got off to a quick start, but soon the team would fall apart. Instead of another 50-win season, the Timberwolves posted a 44-38 record and missed the NBA playoffs for the first time since 1996. While the team was not in the playoffs, Kevin Garnett was still among the best big men in the NBA. Because he had been with the team before they had a history, Garnett did not want to leave. But, each year, they became worse and worse until they were a bad team, period.

Now, Kevin Garnett is only a shell of the player that he was in Minnesota from 2004 through 2007, but he is playing for a good team.

Long before his days as a Boston Celtic, Kevin Garnett began his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves. At the time, the team was only seven years old. The Minnesota franchise was the official return of Minneapolis to the NBA after the Lakers had relocated for Los Angeles. Like many expansion franchises, the Minnesota Timberwolves struggled in its early years, losing out on such stars as Shaquille O'Neal and Chris Webber. However, in 1995, their luck would change.

In the summer of 1995, the Minnesota Timberwolves earned the fifth overall pick in the NBA Draft. That season had some unusual twists and turns. High school phenom, Kevin Garnett shocked the sports media when he revealed that he would not be attending college for the following season. Instead, he chose to go straight into the NBA. Because of his youth, some critics doubted him and teams passed on him. Desperate for some youthful energy, the Timberwolves took a chance on him.

The arrival of Kevin Garnett did not have an immediate impact, but the team did improve upon its record from the previous season. Kevin Garnett helped the team improve by five games, but they were still far from the playoffs. However, the next season, the executives that ran the organization felt that they should build around their young star in Garnett. The result of this decision was KG leading the Wolves to a 40-42 record and their first-ever playoff appearance. Because of their record, the Wolves landed a very-talented Houston Rockets team that swept them from the playoffs. The following season, Garnett's play improved and the Wolves improved to 45-37.

Each season, Kevin Garnett would put up MVP-like numbers, but his team managed to lose in the first round each year. That was until 2004, when they team added veterans, such as Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell. Those additions and the continued growth of Garnett would lead to the Wolves posting the best record in franchise history at 58-24. Not only was it the best record in franchise history, but it was also the best record in the Western Conference that season. Having led his team to a third-consecutive 50 win season and the best record in the West, Kevin Garnett was awarded the NBA MVP award. The team would go straight to the Western Conference Finals, only to lose in six games to the more-experienced Los Angeles Lakers.

Despite losing in the Conference Finals that season, Kevin Garnett and the Timberwolves were expected to be contenders the next season. Like the previous season, the Wolves got off to a quick start, but soon the team would fall apart. Instead of another 50-win season, the Timberwolves posted a 44-38 record and missed the NBA playoffs for the first time since 1996. While the team was not in the playoffs, Kevin Garnett was still among the best big men in the NBA. Because he had been with the team before they had a history, Garnett did not want to leave. But, each year, they became worse and worse until they were a bad team, period.

Now, Kevin Garnett is only a shell of the player that he was in Minnesota from 2004 through 2007, but he is playing for a good team.

Kevin Garnett was Let Down by Minnesota

View Detail