Kevin Garnett Retires, My Experience with the Big Ticket

Today we got the news that we have all been expecting. Kevin Garnett, the “Big Ticket”, retires from the NBA.

Kevin Garnett, the leading player in basically every Minnesota Timberwolves statistic, is retiring from the NBA.

Growing up in Minnesota, Garnett was my all time favorite player. The energy and passion that he played with every night was rarely matched. The things he did for this franchise will never be matched.

Garnett will go down as a Minnesota legend. The state of Minnesota loves him, and he loves the state almost as much.

I figured today would be a great day to share my experience with Kevin Garnett. So here it is.

It was 1998, the year of the NBA lockout. The lockout lasted almost six months, and by the time it ended, the league had shortened the season to 50 games.

Before starting the season, the Minnesota Timberwolves threw a free scrimmage at the Target Center for fans. It was general admission. My father and I went downtown, and got in line for seats. We got there early and ended up in the front of the line.

When they opened the Target Center gates, I ran to the best seats I could find. The seats were in the first row right behind courtside, at center court.

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It was a fun night. The team was split into two teams, for a Blue vs. White matchup. I remember the funny antics of Kevin Garnett, Stephon Marbury, Sam Mitchell, Bobby Jackson, and the late Malik Sealy.

There were team employees walking around the arena with bags hanging off of their shoulders filled with shirts they were passing out.

I kept trying to run over to the bench to get Garnett’s autograph. Being an eight year old aspiring basketball player, I was determined.

After being told no and stopped by security multiple times, I turned back to head back to my seat. On the way back, one of the team employees stopped me.

She said “maybe if you wait until after the game, he will sign this for you,” as she gave me a brand new Garnett jersey. I could only imagine the look on my face at that moment.

I ran back to my father, who did nothing but encourage me to try to sneak my way to the bench, and showed him what I had been given.

We sat and watched the rest of the game. As the game ended, one player stayed back to meet fans.

Who else but Kevin Garnett. He sat on the bench while kids formed a mob around him, hundreds of kids. When it was my turn to get an autograph, Garnett grabbed the jersey, and asked my name. He signed “To Paul, Best Wishes, Kevin Garnett.”

Garnett also signed a shirt for both of my sisters, addressing the shirts to them. I was sprung with joy. I had met my idol. He took time to say hello, and sign something for me. The next day in the Star Tribune, I remember my dad telling me it stated he was there for hours signing autographs for kids.

I will cherish that moment, and that jersey forever. Now that my father has passed away, spending a night with him, while getting to watch both of our favorite sport and sports team, and meet my favorite player of all time. That was priceless.

On another occasion, my mother has been given free tickets to the Minnesota Lynx game in their inaugural season. Me and my father went to the game. There were multiple Timberwolves players there.

I sat two rows behind Wally Szczerbiak. Blown away that we were sitting that close to him, my father told me to go ask for an autograph.

I ran up to Wally, and asked him for his signature. Wally looked at me and said “Can’t you see I’m with my family!”

I was crushed. My dad told me not to worry about it and brushed it off like he was a nobody anyways.

After the game, my father and I walked out of the arena and were about a block from the Target Center. At the moment while waiting for the crosswalk to give us the green light, a white Range Rover pulled up.

It was Kevin Garnett and some friends. The front windows were rolled down. I yelled “KG!”

Garnett looked over at me and said “Hey what’s up youngin’?” Then his light turned green, and he pulled away.

Again, my day was made.

The slight acts of kindness, and interactions with a young fan, made Garnett who he was. He will always be my favorite player. He has done nothing but show class in whatever he has done.

When Garnett was traded back to the Timberwolves in 2014, his homecoming tribute video gave me chills. I was glad to see him in Minnesota, where he belongs.

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Kevin Garnett was a big part of my childhood, and in memories of cheering for him as a young fan, I will connect that with memories of my late father. That will always be something special to me. Thank you for the 21 years KG! You will be missed!