Paul Pierce knew what the Celtics got when they traded for Kevin Garnett in the summer of 2013. For 21 years KG played with passion, intensity, and a fiery competitiveness where he said “I can guard anyone” His main goal was to win and to win any way that you can. Whether he’s setting his teammates up with crisp chest passes, hitting a turnaround jumper, blocking shots, or just simply getting in another person’s face, he did it all 100% and never went below 4th gear, it’s just how he was brought up.
KG was an MVP, won an NBA title with the Celtics, 15 NBA All-Star appearances, and ALL-Star MVP, NBA All-Rookie Second Team, four All-NBA First Teams, and four rebounding titles. Nicknamed “The Big Ticket” KG became one of the greats in the NBA.
KG didn’t play organized basketball until high school
He arrived at Mauldin High School in Mauldin, South Carolina. He dominated both offensively and was one of the most feared defenders in the nation. He transferred to Farragut Academy in Chicago for his senior season. In high school KG averaged 25.2 points, 17.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 6.5 blocks on 66.8 percent shooting. He was named National High School Player of the Year by USA Today and Illinois Mr. Basketball while earning an invitation to the McDonald’s All-American game.
KG Throws Cold Water on Pierce’s Scoring Ambitions
During one game NBA legend Paul Pierce claimed he had his rhythm going, and felt good about breaking his NBA career high of 50 points. While KG was shutting down Pierce’s teammate Antoine Walker, Pierce kept piling up the points, shooting the ball as if the basket was an ocean. Then, KG realized what was happening, so he took on the assignment of guarding “The Truth” and it changed the whole complexion of the game.
This is what Paul Pierce had to say about what exactly KG did. “I think I was on pace for about 60 points one game. He was guarding Antoine Walker at the time. It was like, ‘All right, forget it, Paul’s killing us.’ So he switched off and guarded me,” Paul said. “And I promise you, for a good two-minute stretch, he did not let me catch the ball. I didn’t know what to do.
“I just stood at half-court. I was like, ‘All right, as long as he’s out of the paint,'” he added.
Unstoppable Force: KG’s Defensive Prowess Unmatched
Garnett relished the opportunity to guard anyone and everyone on the court. In an era where a lot of big man switched on the screens KG would often switch on to a quicker guard but never seemed to back down or get beat a lot on defense.
“He’s guarded Michael Jordan at times. He’s guarded Karl Malone. He’s guarded Shaquille O’Neal. He’s guarded point guards, Kevin Johnson, Steve Nash, and Stephon Marbury. You just pick the All-Stars, at some point he was going to be matched up on all those guys and guard them all. There have been times when he’s guarded all five positions in the same game,” former Minnesota coach Flip Saunders shared.
Legendary guard Magic Johnson confirmed Saunder’s sentiments, saying that trying to get around Kevin’s defense was “impossible.”
“I had been guarded by much taller players before, like Magic Johnson, but trying to get around Kevin Garnett seemed impossible. His arms almost stretched from sideline to sideline, he was as quick as a cat, and when you tried to take it to the rim, he was able to swat everything,” Johnson stated. “Luckily, I didn’t have to face him too often, because by the time he hit his prime, my time in the league was winding down.”
Growing up a Timberwolves fan it was always a special time seeing KG play. His heart, and desire, combined with his competitiveness and willingness to win were unmatched by anyone. He never took plays off and barely ever missed a game. He played 21 seasons, was voted into the Hall of Fame, and is ranked one of the Top 50 players of all time.
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