Clipperholics
Fansided

LA Clippers: Why Kevin Garnett would be perfect for L.A.’s staff

By Tom West

Jan 2, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett (21) reacts to a shot in warmups before the game with the Milwaukee Bucks at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett (21) reacts to a shot in warmups before the game with the Milwaukee Bucks at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
September 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Brice Johnson (10) speaks during media day at Clipper Training Facility in Playa Vista. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
September 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Brice Johnson (10) speaks during media day at Clipper Training Facility in Playa Vista. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

A mentor for Brice Johnson

If there’s one man who can help maximize Brice Johnson’s defensive ability by pushing his intensity, teaching him how to be a rookie in the NBA, how to approach the game as a professional, and simply mentoring the growth on his skill set, it’s Kevin Garnett.

You’d be hard pressed to find a better power forward’s footsteps to follow, except for maybe Tim Duncan. Garnett is one of the craziest competitors the NBA has ever seen, and not only because he’s crazy at times. He’s always been a fierce player and he’s one of the best defenders to take to the court, possessing a rare combination of agility, deceptive strength and length.

More from Clipperholics

Last season, it was Karl-Anthony Towns who got to benefit from playing under the mentorship of Garnett. The brightest young star in the game had one of the best minds to learn from, and there’s no doubt that entering the league into such a situation with Garnett to learn from helped Towns from both a technical standpoint and mental standpoint.

Garnett could serve in a similar role with the LA Clippers and Brice Johnson, even though Garnett wouldn’t be taking to the court.

Johnson’s future may not be as All-Star and possibly MVP-filled as Towns’, but he would still benefit from the kind of mentorship that Towns had with Garnett in Minnesota.

In a tougher situation playing behind both Blake Griffin and Brandon Bass, Johnson won’t crack the rotation nearly as easily as unanimous Rookie of the Year KAT.

But, nevertheless, to help Johnson develop and become the kind of first-round pick that can eventually become a more integral part of the Clippers, not to mention rookie center Diamond Stone as well, Garnett joining the staff makes a lot of sense.

Next: What did we learn from Clippers media day?

There are so many benefits to Garnett joining the LA Clippers in some manner, and there are personal connections, not to mention the team as contenders, that make them intriguing to join from Garnett’s perspective. Even if he doesn’t want to get involved as an assistant coach, Garnett would be perfect in L.A. as a trainer or in any role that would let his presence and wisdom rub off on the players. Hopefully for L.A., that will capture KG’s interest.

Home/Clippers News