Kevin Garnett is Perfect Leader for Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves are one of the most intriguing teams in the NBA. They possess tantalizing athleticism and a promising blend of promising young players and productive veterans.

What Minnesota had been without, however, was a voice in the locker room.

With one of the most prolific deals of the 2015 NBA Trade Deadline, the T-Wolves landed the perfect leader for their current core by acquiring Kevin Garnett.

Garnett’s return was as amazing as one could imagine.

In three games with Garnett, the Timberwolves are 1-2, but have been significantly more competitive than in previous months.

Garnett won’t help this 13-45 team make a miraculous run to the postseason in 2014-15, but he’ll set the tone for future seasons.

Simply put, every young team in the NBA would benefit from having Garnett in the locker room. Minnesota is no exception to that truth.

With a return home, Garnett is in a position to set the tone for future seasons to come.

Setting the Defensive Tone

Zach LaVine has all-time raw athleticism, which he put on full display during the 2015 Slam Dunk Contest—an event he won. Ricky Rubio, meanwhile, is an all-world facilitator with elite defensive potential.

Gorgui Dieng was the defensive anchor of the 2013 NCAA champion Louisville Cardinals, while Andrew Wiggins is regarded as a potential All-Defensive Team mainstay.

In order to live up to their full potential, however, effort on the defensive end of the floor is vital.  If nothing else, Garnett is a tone-setting player who expects 100 percent and then some out of his teammates.

Should a player on his team fail to provide that level of effort, he’ll let them hear about it—no matter their name value or significance. Rubio and Pekovic learned that first-hand.

On a team with capable defenders who have long overachieved such as Kevin Martin and Nikola Pekovic, Garnett could help turn things around.

Minnesota currently ranks No. 29 in scoring defense and No. 30 in defensive efficiency. They’re allowing an unexplainable 105.5 points per game and 108.5 points per 100 possessions.

In three games with Garnett, the Timberwolves are holding opponents to 91.3 points per contest.

Perhaps the most important lesson Garnett will be teaching is that of consistent intensity.

According to Tom Powers of Pioneer Press, LaVine is already feeling that presence.

"“This is his locker and I’m actually kind of scared because I think he is going to say something about me being in his locker,” young Zach LaVine said.LaVine offered the locker back to Garnett, who declined and instead will dress one seat over.“I did more than offer; I wanted him to take it,” LaVine said. “I wanted him to sit there. I said, ‘I’ll move!’ But it’s going to be great for me; I know that. Future hall of famer, man, everyone wants to get to his level. He was playing in this league before I was born!”"

Even the veterans, such as 32-year-old Kevin Martin, are excited to pick Garnett’s mind.

"“He’s such a special guy to this community,” Kevin Martin said. “He is Minnesota basketball. I don’t care if he’s 60 or he’s 21, he’s still Minnesota basketball. In this locker room, we’re all excited to welcome him and gain knowledge from him on and off the court.”"

This wouldn’t be the first time he’s changed the culture of a locker room, as told by head coach Flip Saunders.

"“He changed their culture,” Saunders said of Garnett’s time with the Boston Celtics. “Doc (Rivers) told me that. They had veteran players and everything else, but when he went in the locker room, the music was cut off and everything.”“It will be a shock to some of the old guys, too,” Saunders noted with a wry smile. “There’s no one better as far as work ethic and preparation than KG. It’s a great way for them to learn. We’re trying to facilitate those guys’ development. We’re trying to speed that up.”"

Moving forward, through hard times and otherwise, Minnesota will be a better and more committed team with his influence.

The Voice in Andrew Wiggins’ Ear

The No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2014 NBA Draft was Andrew Wiggins. By giving up embattled power forward Kevin Love, the Minnesota Timberwolves acquired his services from the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Roughly eight months later, Wiggins is the runaway favorite for Rookie of the Year.

Wiggins, the future face of the franchise, will now have the chance to be mentored by the greatest player in franchise history. Thus far, he’s proven that his raw talent is matched by the ability to produce.

The scariest aspect of it all: he’s still only 20 years old.

That’s extraordinary praise to be called a, “Future MVP.”

Love him or hate him, KG is an all-time great for a reason. Not only did he master every phase of the game, but he is highly regarded as a leader in the locker room.

That’s been present already, and Wiggins has been attentive.

That’s the key to the future of the Timberwolves organization.

Wiggins is currently averaging 15.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Since December 23, however, his scoring numbers have increased to 18.8 points per contest.

What Garnett can instill in Wiggins is more of a killer instinct and a higher level of defensive intensity.

One player rarely guarantees success in today’s NBA, but having a superstar generally correlates with making the playoffs. Wiggins has that potential, and many others have flashed immense potential, including Dieng, LaVine, Shabazz Muhammad and Rubio.

With Garnett serving as the mentor, locker room leader and tone-setter, Minnesota is finally back on the right track.

Next: How did the 2015 Trade Deadline shape the NBA?

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