Garnett To Play First Game Back In Minnesota Wednesday
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Kevin Garnett will play his first game back as a Minnesota Timberwolf Wednesday night at the Target Center.
Garnett spoke at his first Timberwolves press conference since 2007 Tuesday. He said he's ready to contribute.
He joked with reporters saying if Lebron James can come back home, why can't he?
Garnett called it the perfect fairytale ending to his playing career.
But one thing he is having trouble with after eight years away? Minneapolis itself.
"I do not recognize downtown at all. I made a right [turn] thinking it was a one-way, it was a two-way. A car was coming at me. I panicked, I pulled over. I came off of 6th [Street], 6th is now a two-way," Garnett said. "I just gotta get reacquainted with the city."
Another funny moment during the press conference came when Garnett was asked about being a coach someday.
He emphatically said, "No!"
Garnett will be playing forward, and taking on a much different role that he held before.
Many of his new duties will include leading a young roster, as he knows all about being a superstar starting out in the league.
He showed up Tuesday to lift weights with his new team.
He then attended practice, and his teammates said he was intense.
Garnett left the Timberwolves franchise on a bad note, was traded to Boston in 2007 and went on to win a title with them.
Now, he said he appreciates his return to his NBA roots. At age 38, he's back where his career started.
He said since his trade to Boston in 2007 the NBA has taught him lessons in patience.
He's let go of the past and it's just a full-circle moment to rejoin the Timberwolves.
He could even one day be an owner or in management, but for now, he's a player.
Garnett and the Wolves take on the Washington Wizards Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The game is expected to be a sellout, and Timberwolves officials said Wednesday afternoon they've released 500 standing room only tickets, priced at $25 each. They can be purchased at the Target Center box office.