Hoops Habit
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Best Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee from each NBA franchise

By Daniel Lubofsky

INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves
Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Best Minnesota Timberwolves Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee: *Kevin Garnett

Only in existence since 1989, the Minnesota Timberwolves don’t exactly have the most glittery track record with just nine total postseason appearances. They don’t have any Hall of Famers just yet, but one player is waiting in the wings who is as close to a sure-fire lock as the NBA has at the moment.

Kevin Garnett is unquestionably the greatest player in franchise history, the all-time leader in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. When he was taken fifth overall in 1995, however, the prep-to-pro star brought far more questions than answers for a struggling expansion organization.

It didn’t take KG much time to impose his will in nearly every aspect of the game at both ends. Once fully developed, he became a stat-stuffing perennial All-Star with a trademark intensity and energy that gave him a much-needed edge.

Across 12 seasons in Minnesota — not including a brief stint to close out his career — there didn’t appear to be anything Garnett couldn’t do. He averaged 20.5 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists along with 1.7 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. He was named to 10 All-Star teams, seven All-Defensive Teams and even took home MVP honors in 2003-04.

Garnett was doing all he could to lead the Wolves to contention. Despite his best efforts, he alone wasn’t enough with just one first-round exit, but it was never an all-or-nothing proposition, and that’s why The Big Ticket is still beloved in the Twin Cities.

Minnesota made eight consecutive playoff appearances including a memorable run to the Western Conference Finals in 2004. It’s a franchise-long streak and the Wolves have only returned to the playoffs a single time since it ended.

For all the doubt he had coming out of high school, Garnett is responsible for the most prosperous era in the history of the franchise. There was no championship celebration or even a Finals appearance, but for such a young fanbase without much of a foundation, basketball relevance was good enough.