After announcing his retirement from the NBA this week, Kevin Garnett joined the LA Clippers at training camp on Thursday to participate in the team’s practice.
When Kevin Garnett announced his retirement and decided to let the young Minnesota Timberwolves continue growing without him next season, the NBA world was shocked and saddened in an instant. No one wanted to see KG walk away, especially with the Timberwolves’ rising and two legends in Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan having already retired earlier this summer. But, now Garnett is finished, too. However, Doc Rivers made it no secret he’d like to bring Garnett to the LA Clippers in some manner on the team’s staff, and the idea came one step closer to fruition this week as Garnett participated in the team’s practice on Thursday.
As the Clippers’ training camp continued, with the new bench players adjusting to their new teammates and the likes of Blake Griffin enjoying full health, Garnett not only arrived at practice, but participated.
The Clippers shared a photo of him on Twitter contesting a shot from Griffin, so clearly Garnett didn’t want to stay off the court for too long after calling it quits.
https://twitter.com/LAClippers/status/781576725914202113
While there’s nothing saying that Garnett will be joining the LA Clippers’ coaching staff, and that this is nothing more than him checking in with former championship winning partners Paul Pierce and Doc, it’s certainly a good sign. Maybe Garnett wanted to get a feel for the team and how he could help.
Garnett working indivudally with Griffin after the team’s practice ended is another good sign. Certainly for those Clippers fans hopeful Garnett’s intensity and wisdom comes to L.A. Which should be all Clippers fans.
More KG and BG pic.twitter.com/Sstl1AAHpo
— Ray Samora (@DJRaySamora) September 29, 2016
ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan reported Doc’s eager comments about hopefully bringing on Garnett to the coaching staff:
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"“I would have absolutely been interested in bringing him here. You always find a place for a guy like that, whose voice in the locker room is so strong, so clear, so impactful.“He’s such a great teacher in practice. He should start a course in leadership. The NBA should designate who the best player is on each team and then they could bring Kevin in and he could teach them how to be the best player and the best leader."
Seeing as Garnett is such a well-respected and knowledgeable player, though, capable of teaching big men (such as Karl-Anthony Towns) fundamentals and defensive tips, and helping anyone mentally, it’s no surprise the Cleveland Cavaliers want him on their staff, too.
Ty Lue says he'll make a spot on #Cavs coaching staff if good friend Kevin Garnett wants to coach. KG's wife pushing for it. KG undecided
— Jason Lloyd (@ByJasonLloyd) September 29, 2016
We’ll have to wait and see if Doc gets his wishes and he can bring Kevin Garnett to the LA Clippers, uniting with another player from his Boston Celtics days.
Next: Everything we learned from Clippers media day
As we’ve already heard from the Cavs, though, Doc isn’t the only one eager to bring Garnett out of retirement to a new position.