We Defy Augury

Saturday, October 13, 2018

"Everything is so god damn public now"

The Athletic – "Exclusive: Kevin Garnett on the Jimmy Butler saga — ‘It’s a shit storm up there’"
By Jon Krawczynski

"“I’m a T-Wolf for life, man,” Garnett said. “I’m ‘Sota for life. I’ve always wanted better for not only the city and the franchise, but Wigs, KAT, those are my guys. I root for those guys. Gorgui Dieng. Those are my guys. I’m just hoping they can get through this rough patch and everybody can get on the same path and figure it out. It’s a shit storm up there.”"

...

"Garnett has been mentoring young players for years, a role that really blossomed during his final seasons in Minnesota, where he took Wiggins and Towns under his wing. Both responded much more favorably to Garnett’s leadership style than they have to Butler so far, but KG said it might be time for the pups to start asserting themselves even more.

“They’re good kids, but they’re kids,” Garnett said. “This is going to push them though. They got to speak up at some point.

“That’s probably one of the biggest raps in this young league is none of the young guys talk. They haven’t been taught how to converse. I think a lot of people speak for these young kids. I think you don’t hear enough from these young kids and they don’t know how to express themselves.” "

...

"The season after the Wolves were defeated by the Lakers one step short of the NBA Finals, Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell went through bitter contract squabbles that cratered the team. Stephon Marbury’s inability to share the financial limelight with Garnett in the late 1990s broke up what many hoped was the next generation’s Stockton-Malone, and Tom Gugliotta also left that promising core because of ego-driven differences.

“I’m hopeful he and the Timberwolves can get on the same page and figure it out for the chemistry, which is more important,” Garnett said. “I actually like their team. They have a good team.” "

...

"“That’s my home. Ain’t nothing going to change that,” Garnett said. “Just know that just because I ain’t in the rafters don’t mean I ain’t in that building every night. I left my spirit and my soul in there. You can’t ever replace that. You feel me? That will always be, forever, as long as they have the Timberwolves in Minnesota.”"