Rowan Kavner
LOS ANGELES – If practice is at 11 a.m., Kevin Garnett is there at 8:30.
It’s the actions and leadership of Garnett and the Timberwolves’ few veterans head coach Sam Mitchell attributes to the level of competitiveness and professionalism his young Minnesota team has displayed early this season.
Both Garnett and Paul Pierce have done wonders on the court. The two prolific all-time scorers and former teammates now find themselves No. 15 and No. 16, respectively, on the NBA’s all-time scoring list after years of success together.
But it’s what Garnett’s doing his 21st season in the league from a teaching standpoint for 20-year-old up-and-coming stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins which may matter just as much as his on-court production.
“It’s not points and rebounds, it’s just his leadership and his willingness,” said Mitchell, who was a teammate of Garnett’s long before he was his coach. “He’s teaching these guys every single day what it takes to be a good player in this league, and he talks to them every day about what it takes to be a great team and how unselfish you have to be, how willing to give of yourself and how important it is to care about your teammates.”
Clippers head coach joked, ‘Poor Karl,’ when asked about Garnett being his mentor. But he said it as affectionately as possible.
He knows how much the veteran demands of those around him. In reality, Rivers said, Garnett makes a terrific coach and the perfect person for a young big man to learn from. In addition, Rivers said Garnett loves Towns, which tells Rivers a lot about the rookie.
Rivers and the Clippers got to see Towns’ talent firsthand Sunday, with Towns scoring 17 points, showcasing his range with a 3-pointer, and adding eight rebounds.
Garnett only played 16 minutes dealing with foul trouble, but not before doing what Garnett does, trying to frustrate Blake Griffin with his defense. DeAndre Jordan said he loves watching Garnett’s enthusiasm even now, and the morale he brings to the Timberwolves is still obvious.
“He’s a Hall of Fame player,” Jordan said. “Would’ve loved to be taught things by him. Playing with Paul, it’s great to hear stories of what it takes to be a champion.”
Pierce added 10 points against his former teammate, and with Garnett not scoring Sunday, both players still remain with 25 points of 26,000 for their careers. It’s easy now, on the back ends of their careers, to see how the former Celtic greats can shift their mindset to help lead the younger players on their respective teams.
But Rivers said those leadership traits have always been there.
“Kevin, when he was with us that first year, he never missed a practice,” Rivers said. “Neither did Paul. Neither did Ray (Allen), for that matter. When you have your top three guys not miss one second in training camp or practice the entire season, you’re probably going to be pretty good. It just sends the message.”
Garnett, Rivers said, did that to “an insane state.” When Garnett would get taken out at practice, he’d mimic the player who subbed him in. If the player jumped, Garnett would jump. If the player ran, Garnett would run up and down the sidelines.
As frustrating as that might’ve been for Rivers when trying to help Garnett get rest, it was also Garnett’s form of leadership. Neither Garnett nor Pierce would show an ounce of letting up.
Rivers said even now, the bond created from his championship team with Pierce and Garnett in Boston still continues. Rivers said it’s amazing how much everyone on that team still keeps in touch, which can be attributed in large part to the two players who went against each other Sunday.
“That leadership was awesome for our young guys,” Rivers said. “If you hear (Rajon) Rondo or (Kendrick) Perkins talk about it, it was their leadership that changed their careers. That’s what (Pierce and Garnett) had in common.”
Soon, they’ll have the title of “26,000-point scorer” in common, as well.
