Sports

KG Returns to Minnesota as Player, Wants to Stay as Owner

Published

10 years ago

February 25, 2015

Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Garnett, right, talks with head coach Flip Saunders after his first practice on his return to his former team that originally drafted him out of high school, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, in Minneapolis. Garnett waived his no-trade clause with the Brooklyn Nets to return to Minnesota. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

JON KRAWCZYNSKI, AP Basketball Writer

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kevin Garnett never wanted to leave Minnesota when the Timberwolves traded him to Boston nearly eight years ago, never wanted to jump from a sinking Celtics ship before Paul Pierce convinced him to follow him to Brooklyn two years ago.

And he sure didn’t feel great about uprooting his family in the middle of a season when the prospects first arose to return to his beloved ‘Sota last week.

Sitting at his Malibu home over the All-Star break, the only true superstar in Wolves history thought long and hard about what that move would mean. He thought about mentoring Ricky Rubio and Andrew Wiggins.

He thought about going back to the state where he was drafted and where he met his wife, setting down roots and one day following stars such as Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson into ownership. He thought about restoring a relationship with a franchise that was tattered when he was traded.

He was born in South Carolina, became a high school sensation in the Chicago area and a champion in Boston.

But for him, Minnesota will always be home. And in the end, that lure and the possibility of a much greater role down the road proved too great to resist.

“It’s perfect,” Garnett said on Tuesday at a re-introductory news conference that came five days after he was acquired from Brooklyn in a trade. “If you have a story, this is a fairy tale. This is a perfect ending to it. This is how you want to do it.”

For Garnett, it actually may be the beginning.

He made the jump straight from Farragut Academy to the NBA in 1995, a groundbreaking move at the time that ushered in a new era and ultimately compelled the league to change its rules to require players to be out of high school for at least one year before being eligible to be drafted.

He spent 12 years in Minnesota, growing from a skinny, 19-year-old rookie into a two-way force and one of the best power forwards in league history.

He made 10 All-Star teams, was the MVP in 2004 and led the Wolves to the only eight playoff appearances in franchise history, including a stirring run to the Western Conference finals in his MVP season.

“He’s our history. He’s it. He is the face of the franchise,” said Sam Mitchell, a former teammate and now an assistant coach on the team.

“So to bring him back and these guys get to experience and be around him and learn from him and say, ‘I spent time with Kevin Garnett’ it’s going to enhance their growth by leaps and bounds.”

The Wolves fell on hard times after losing to the Lakers in 2004 and former GM Kevin McHale and Glen Taylor, who still owns the team, decided to trade Garnett and start a massive rebuilding project in 2007. Garnett saw it as the organization turning its back on him, and relationships were frayed.

“He’s the most loyal human being alive,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “He’s going home. It’s where started and it’s where he’s going to end. It says a lot about him.”

He maintained a home here, but really only kept in close contact with Flip Saunders, his coach for 10 years who returned before last season as president of basketball operations.

“I obviously won’t forget certain things, but it’s time to move on from certain things,” Garnett said on Tuesday, adding that his relationship with McHale, who now coaches the Houston Rockets, has improved over the years.

He said he “always had an understanding” with Taylor.

“I wouldn’t have come back if the relationship was to the point where it’s not … reachable or something like that,” Garnett said.

“I would not have come back if it wasn’t a chance that I can refurbish it or it was going to get better. I’m looking forward to this opportunity, and I’m embracing this change.”

Coming back not only gives the 38-year-old a chance to wear the No. 21 again and play for another year or two. But it also appears to be the first step toward putting a group together to buy the Wolves from Taylor.

“I wasn’t really happy in how I left here. My goal since I’ve been in the league was to win a championship and I wanted it to be here in the Twin Cities,” Garnett said.

“I’ve always wanted that. I wanted to be a part of that the first time this franchise went over the hump and I got a taste of that in the Western Conference (finals). I’ve been thirsty ever since. Once you get that taste, you never lose that.”

For now, he’s still a player. And one Saunders believes can make a lasting impact, even if his MVP days are behind him.

Garnett practiced with the Timberwolves for the first time on Tuesday, and he wasted little time making his presence felt in front of his new teammates.

He surprised the 19-year-old Wiggins by getting to the gym at 9:30 a.m., then barked at big man Nikola Pekovic during practice to set an early tone of intensity.

“He yelled at Pek twice already when I think nobody in his career yell at him to run back on defense, so that’s good,” Rubio said. “Everybody listens and everybody respect him. He’s doing everything it takes to get better.”

Mitchell was that player for Garnett back in 1995. Twenty years later, it’s KG’s turn.

“I know these are the declining days of my playing days, but I think I have so much more to bring. This is the perfect situation,” Garnett said. “This is full circle right here.”

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Bay Area

Love Life Organization Shows Love

As part of Love Life Week, the Love Life Foundation was honored to produce the 1974-75 World Champion Golden State Warrior Day. It’s a shame that our first Bay Area World Championship team’s unique accolades had been lost in the pre social media era and the cultural revolution of the 1970s.

Published

5 days ago

October 28, 2024

Oakland Post

Members of the 1975 NBA championship team, Charles Dudley (left) and Clifford Ray (right) embrace Love Life Foundation leader Donald Lacy for his antiviolence mission. Courtesy photo.

City of Oakland Celebrates 1975 NBA World Championship Team

By Donald Lacy

Special to The Post

As part of Love Life Week, the Love Life Foundation was honored to produce the 1974-75 World Champion Golden State Warrior Day.

It’s a shame that our first Bay Area World Championship team’s unique accolades had been lost in the pre social media era and the cultural revolution of the 1970s.

The 1975 NBA World Championship team were invited back to the City of Oakland last Friday, to be properly celebrated for their ground-breaking performance in 1975.

The heartwarming ceremony highlighted the recent passing of the legendary coach of that team, Al Attlles, and his former players Clifford Ray and Charles Dudley were on hand to represent the “Cardiac Kids” as they were called back then for their ability to make great comeback victories during their run for the title.

Warriors great Chris Mullin and former spiritual advisor Gary Reeves gave heartfelt testimonies of their experiences under Attles’ leadership and their relationship with the inspiration they received from the NBA 1975 World Champion Golden State Warriors.

The City of Oakland provided proclamations to all parties with speeches made by city leadership including Mayor Sheng Thao and Deputy Mayor Dr. Kimberly Mayfield and activity host Love Life non-profit founder and Executive Director Donald E. Lacy Jr..

There will be a celebration of life event Nov. 9 honoring Attles’ legacy at Alameda College.

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California Black Media

Several Black Californians Are Playing Key Roles in LA 28 Olympics Planning

From politicians and businesspeople to athletes and community leaders, a number of Black Californians are contributing to the thought leadership that is shaping the planning of LA28, the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. At the forefront is Los Angeles’ first Black woman mayor, Karen Bass, who has, in many ways, become the face of the Games in the City of Angels.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 22, 2024

Oakland Post

From left to right: IOC Member Hong Zhang, IOC Vice President Nicole Hoevertsz, Rex Richardson, Mayor of Long Beach, LA28 President Casey Wasserman, James T. Butts, Mayor of Inglewood, IOC President Thomas Bach, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, the President of the Los Angeles City Council (IOC/Greg Martin)

By Lila Brown, California Black Media

At the forefront is Los Angeles’ first Black woman mayor, Karen Bass, who has, in many ways, become the face of the Games in the City of Angels.

“The 2028 Games present an incredible opportunity to unite our city and lift up every corner of Los Angeles,” said Bass during a historic event at Los Angeles City Hall on Sept. 13, when the Olympic and Paralympic flags were unveiled and installed.

The event marked the return of the Olympic flag to L.A. since 1984, when the city hosted the Olympics for the second time. It was the first time the Paralympic flag was raised in California’s largest city.

“From creating jobs to supporting small businesses, we are committed to ensuring that these Games benefit all Angelenos — not just for the summer of 2028, but for decades to come,” Bass added.

Nearly two months after the Olympic flag handover from Paris to Los Angeles, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach visited Los Angeles.

Bach toured several of the city’s newest world-class sporting venues, including the SoFi Stadium and the recently opened Intuit Dome, both located in Inglewood. At the stadiums, he was joined by two other Los Angeles County Black mayors, whose cities will be key to hosting LA28 events: Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts and Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson.

SoFi Stadium, known as the home of NFL teams the LA Rams and LA Chargers, will host swimming competitions during the LA28 Games, with a temporary pool set to make it the largest swimming venue in Olympic history, boasting 38,000 seats. Intuit Dome, Inglewood’s newest state-of-the-art venue and home to the LA Clippers, will host the Olympic basketball tournament in the 18,000-seat arena.

In an interview with California Black Media ( CBM), Butts highlighted Inglewood’s central role in the upcoming Games, stating, “Inglewood will host the Opening and Closing ceremonies, basketball, and swimming competitions of the 2028 Olympic Games. This will be our second hosting of Olympic Basketball, the first in 1984.”

Marqueece Harris-Dawson, President of the Los Angeles City Council, also attended the tour.

Harris-Dawson is one of the leading backers of PlayLA, a parks development program that promises to provide sports programming to “young Angelenos of all abilities.” The initiative is funded by a $160 million investment from the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the International Olympic Committee.

Black Californians serving on the LA28 Board include Businesswoman Mellody Hobson; decorated Paralympian Lex Gillette; former Netflix Executive Dana Smith; President of the LA County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO Yvonne Wheeler; and television host, retired sprinter and four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson.

Rosalyn Brant Clark, a 1976 Olympic silver medalist and mother of three-time Paralympian Breanna Clark, said while the “Games for All” theme is promising, she is looking for more concrete action that impacts the lives of ordinary people, including Black Californians.

“They are going to need to show me more on that one before it gets my stamp of approval,” she added, challenging organizers to ensure genuine inclusivity.

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Bay Area

Ohemaa Nyanin Named GM of Valkyries WNBA Team

The Bay Area is filled with excitement, and much of the conversation is about the Bay Area’s newest WNBA team — the VALKYRIES! The Golden State Warriors were awarded the 13th team in the WNBA last October, and just four months ago, the team’s General Manager was announced — Ohemaa Nyanin.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Getty Images

By Y’Anad Burrell

Nyanin’s parents are from Ghana, and she was born in Maryland. Nyanin’s experience in this industry precedes her both as a former college player and on the business side. Nyanin is an American University alumna who played on the Eagles’ women’s basketball team. In 2019, Nyanain joined the WNBA team, The New York Liberty, initially serving as the director of basketball operations before she became assistant general manager.

“No excuses,” Nyanin said. “We are here, first and foremost, as humans, and secondly to win basketball games. So how do we do that, and how do we do that in the most inclusive way?”

From viewing interviews that Nyanin has done since her arrival in the Bay Area, a constant theme in her conversations is talking about taking a “people first” approach. Nyanin talks about how she will be focused on the players, staff, and fans as she navigates and executes her role as general manager. Health, both mentally and physically, is important to Nyanin, as I’ve seen in her many interviews.

Just days ago, The Golden State Warriors announced the head coach for the Valkyries — Natalie Nakase.

Nakase has been the assistant coach for the Las Vegas Aces for the past three seasons, where she was a part of the Aces’ back-to-back championship run in 2022 and 2023. Before joining the Aces’ coaching staff, Nakase spent ten seasons with her hometown team, the Los Angeles Clippers, and their G League.

The Valkyries will practice at downtown Oakland’s Golden State Warrior space and play games at Chase Center in San Francisco. This is an excellent opportunity to experience both sides of the water.

The Valkyries WNBA season opens May 2025 at Chase Center in San Francisco, and the Valkyries website shows over 18,000 season-ticket deposits. For clarity, if someone is ‘interested’ in purchasing season tickets, a $25 deposit is required. The Chase Center’s capacity is a little over 18,000, so you can imagine how electrifying the stadium will be during all home games.

Ohemaa, welcome to the Bay and The Town!