Hoops Habit
Fansided

The Top 10 Moments Of Kevin Garnett’s Career

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 27, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett (21) look on from the sideline during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The The Timberwolves won 101-91. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett (21) look on from the sideline during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The The Timberwolves won 101-91. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 11
Next
Kevin Garnett
Dec 16, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett (21) looks on from the bench against the New York Knicks during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 107-102. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Big-Time Performances For The Big Ticket

Kevin Garnett only advanced past the first round of the playoffs once during his prime in Minnesota, but there’s no question those seven straight first round exits were not on him. With KG usually dragging a lackluster squad to the postseason, you can be guaranteed there were some unforgettable moments during the regular season and the playoffs.

For starters, we can’t forget to mention his career high 47 points (and 17 rebounds) against the Phoenix Suns in 2005.

Garnett was never a high volume scorer, but games like this one showed he could take over in the scoring column when there was a need.

In the playoffs, KG delivered clutch performances time and time again. In Game 2 of the 2003 Western Conference quarterfinals, KG dropped a massive 35-point, 20-rebound, seven-assist, two-steal, one-block performance on the Los Angeles Lakers to tie the series at 1-1.

The Lakers would go on to beat the Wolves in six games, but KG’s penchant for putting the team on his back was not overlooked.

In 2004, KG did it again with a more balanced roster. Despite injuries to Sam Cassell, Garnett helped carry Minnesota to the conference finals, where they again faced the Lakers. Trailing 3-1 in the series and facing elimination, KG’s Game 5 performance was the definition of clutch.

With 30 points, 19 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal, Garnett helped the Wolves force a Game 6, which they lost. However, that was just one of many playoff performances during his MVP season that proved his value to Minnesota basketball.

Garnett’s tendency to step up in big playoff games carried over with him to his time in Boston as well. During Game 5 of the 2008 Eastern Conference semifinals, KG dashed the hopes of Cleveland Cavaliers fans with 26 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals.

The series was tied at 2-2 at that point, and KG’s Big Ticket performance swung momentum in Boston’s favor.

Garnett’s knack for delivering big performances against LeBron James was hard to ignore as well. In Game 3 of the 2011 Eastern Conference semifinals, he provided Boston with its only win of the series behind 28 points, 18 rebounds and two steals.

We’ll get to a couple more huge playoff moments during KG’s prime with the Timberwolves and his championship season in Boston, but suffice it to say that his lack of playoff success early in his career was not indicative of this guy’s indomitable will to win.

Home/Boston Celtics