In September, after 21 seasons, NBA baller Kevin Garnett retired. Now the 15-time All-Star, who will be eligible for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021 alongside Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant, has returned to the league. This time, in a part-time position off of the court.
According to NBA.com, after retiring just before this season, the former baller visited the LA Clipper’s training camp. There, he reportedly worked with the team’s big men and coach Doc Rivers said the former power forward put on a clinic he’d “pay a lot of money to see.”
As a result, the Clippers dished out a couple bucks for Garnett to come back and work with the team more often. He officially signed on as a consultant with the team, working out with the Los Angeles big men at practices.
“He’s hired in here as a consultant. So I’m sure he’ll be in and out when it presents itself for him to work with our guys,” the team’s assistant coach Mike Woodson said. “And I think when he’s here, it’s important for our bigs to take advantage of him being out here on the floor. Because he brings so much to the table, has so much to offer for the game of basketball, it’s not even funny.”
On Tuesday, Garnett linked up with Deandre Jordan at the Clippers to provide a few pointers for their upcoming game.
“Amazing. Amazing. Amazing,” Jordan said about Garnett’s new position with the team. “Besides him cussing me out, we played against each other. He’s a great spirit and a great basketball mind, a Hall of Fame guy. Someone I looked up to coming up and even playing against. So any pointers he can give me, or tips, it’s great. I just want to be a student when he’s here.
“He’s one of the main reasons why I talk so much, talk so loud when I’m out there. Because when I’m watching film of him or playing against him, the presence that he has — on both ends of the floor — is something that’s contagious. And you want take things from that from people like that, especially if that’s already in their personality.”
Garnett won the 2007-08 season under current Clippers coach, Doc Rivers. His experience in the league is going to be a going to help Jordan a bunch, per Woodson.
“I mean, you gotta take experience in terms of what KG’s done,” Woodson said. “I’m happy he’s a part of our family now. He’s always been a part of Doc’s family. And I just think as we move forward, he’s going to help DJ a lot. I mean, all of our players. I mean, KG is going to be a Hall of Famer one day. And I think all the experience he’s put out on the basketball floor, if these guys are willing to listen and learn, they will benefit in the long run.”
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