Brooklyn Nets: Should Kevin Garnett Start?

Brooklyn Nets forward/center and future Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett was recently named the team’s starting power forward, weeks ahead of opening night in the NBA. On Nets’ Media Day, which took place Sept. 26 at the teams’ practice facility in East Rutherford N.J., Garnett talked about flirting with retirement, his health and how motivated he is to perform this upcoming season.

"“I must admit these last three years, I’ve thought about life and where basketball is as far as priority,” Garnett told NBA.com. “I’ve always said the days when I’m not feeling basketball again, which is absurd, or when I don’t have the motivation to come in here, it’s time to move on. But that’s not the case. I’m very much motivated. I’m looking to have a better year than last year and I’m looking to enjoy this year.”"

Those were Garnett’s first words since he spoke to the media before Brooklyn’s season-ending loss in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The 38-year-old’s first season in black and white was far from memorable. Garnett played in an injury-reduced 54 games, averaging a career-worst 20 minutes per game — in part because of now-defunct coach Jason Kidd — and career-lows in shooting percentage and points per game. With longtime teammate Paul Pierce moving on to Washington, a coaching change — coupled with question marks surrounding the team’s most prominent players — one could see why the Big Ticket might consider retirement.

More from Brooklyn Nets

However, Garnett has one year left on his current deal which will pay him $12 million. With that incentive in mind, he embarks on his 20th campaign but at what cost to the team? Last season, Garnett was asked to play center as a result of Brook Lopez hurting his foot in December. In 2013-14, he shot a career-high 50 percent of his shots from beyond 16 feet. It’s safe to say that, Garnett, the once commandeering post-player, has either lost a step or is adapting to the game as it’s played today.

With head coach Lionel Hollins implementing a new style of offense, one that some might speculate will flow through his big men — as it did in in Memphis — Garnett could be in for a career revival. As the case is with Hollins, Garnett’s teammates speak highly of their big man’s impact on the team.

"“It’s a big benefit,” Mason Plumlee said of the Big Ticket’s return. “I was very happy he decided to come back. I expressed that to him at the end of the last season that I hoped he would decide to come back. It’s good for me [and] the whole team.”"

Apr 9, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Mason Plumlee (1) and guard Deron Williams (8) high five against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Brooklyn Nets 115-111. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Plumlee was relegated to the bench for most of his rookie season averaging 18 minutes per game. Learning from a player like Garnett is a tremendous asset to any rookie and it helped. The 24-year-old started 16 games in the month of March, averaged 18 points per game in three games at the Orlando Summer League and went on to earn a roster spot on Team USA.

"“I think he’s a big reason why Mason [Plumlee] has developed so fast,” Deron Williams said of Plumlee’s growth."

Plumlee’s role is set to expand this coming season, with the departure of Pierce and Andray Blatche in free agency, but inserting Garnett into the starting lineup sends the young forward the wrong message. Yes, Garnett will likely not log much more than 25-30 minutes, but it will make that much harder for Plumlee to get touches and improve his overall game.

Plumlee was dominant inside and around the basket. Last season, he dunked the ball 116 times. The pair of Williams and Plumlee outscored opponents by three points, per 100 possessions, last season. With Lopez also back healthy, Plumlee may not see that much of an increase in minutes.

Apr 30, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) shoots a basket as Brooklyn Nets center-forward Kevin Garnett (2) defends during the first half of game five of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

We know what the Big Ticket can do on the offensive end but how about defense? Garnett is a former Defensive Player of the Year and has been an incredible rim protector for much of his 19 seasons. While still capable, his skills are diminishing; lateral quickness usually going first. No longer can he guard the versatile likes of Kevin Love, Blake Griffin or Anthony Davis. No longer can he provide help defense on the quicker, explosive forwards of the NBA.

Perhaps, Hollins can take a page out of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich’s book and play a more team-oriented style of defense and not force Garnett to play one on one with his man. Hollins will need to watch Garnett carefully early in games to ensure that Brooklyn doesn’t play from behind.

At this point in his career, starting KG has its pros and cons. Garnett can help set the tempo for Hollins’ squad to start the game by knocking down 16-18 foot jumpshots, utilizing the pick and roll and sealing off lanes to the basket, or, he could become a liability defensively. Garnett could see his first action of the 2014-15 season when Brooklyn takes on Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv on Oct. 7 in the teams’ preseason opener.

Home/Brooklyn Nets