Avery Bradley Grabs Autographed Jersey From Kevin Garnett
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Celtics ultimately left Minnesota Monday night with a loss, their second in their last three games.
The 124-122 setback against the Wolves put Boston in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, but it wasn't a total loss for Avery Bradley. The Celtics' guard has a nice piece of memorabilia for his collection: A Kevin Garnett autographed jersey.
"I had to," Bradley said, according to Mass Live's Jay King. "I have everybody's jersey... I have Paul (Pierce). I have KG now. I have (Rajon) Rondo. I have Ray Allen. And I have Jermaine O'Neal."
Bradley said the new KG jersey will soon hang in his office, joining the others to commemorate the C's team from his rookie season in 2010-11 (that should partially explain the need for a Jermaine O'Neal autographed jersey, but doesn't excuse it). Garnett did more than just sign the threads, adding a little note for Bradley -- which King said wasn't suitable for print. That should come as no surprise to anyone that's seen just five seconds of KG's career.
Garnett didn't play against his former team Monday night, missing his 13th straight game with a knee injury. This is KG's 21st and likely final NBA season, so it was important for Bradley to take care of business while he could.
Bradley also told King about the impact Garnett had on him during his rookie season, which was much more than just teaching him the ways of the game. Garnett mentored Bradley about life in the NBA, and even bought him his first suit.
"He used to literally sit me down like I was his little brother," Bradley said. "Like, 'Make sure you're saving your money, make sure you're doing this, make sure you're doing that.' All those things as far as helping the younger guys out, he used to always stress that to me, like, make sure that you're doing the same thing that I'm doing for you. That's what the NBA's about. He wouldn't say it but I know he did it for those who were open to wanting to learn or whatever. But that's one of the things he would always tell me.
"KG does stuff for you that you remember. Not just one of those things that are just small. Everything he does it's like he does it so you remember that Kevin was in your life."
It would be tough for anyone who has ever played alongside Kevin Garnett to forget about the future Hall of Famer's impact both on and off the court. But if he ever needs a little reminder, Bradley now has a personal (and of course, profane) message from Garnett.