Kevin Garnett hinted his basketball career wasn’t over.
He wrote in the Instagram post confirming news of his retirement in September, “To be continued… .”
A month later, the former Timberwolves star joined the TNT “Inside the NBA” crew for his own segment named “Area 21.” Garnett, however, wasn’t done competing on the court.
The Los Angeles Clippers hired Garnett last month as a team consultant. His role is to work with the team’s big men: Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, Luc Mbah a Moute and Marreese Speights. Garnett will occasionally help out at practices, but will not be on the bench or travel with the team.
Garnett posted a photo of him working with Jordan last month with the caption, “Love teaching my YG’S this knowledge.”
The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday, Garnett was at the team’s last two home practices and went through one-on-one drills with Griffin and Jordan. Coach Don Rivers, who coached Garnett in Boston, said just having the future Hall of Famer around is already paying off.
“His presence has been terrific,” Rivers said. “His Energy. The love, I think the players feel that and they see that.
“He’s making them [the big men] take baby steps. … He’s been great.”
Garnett also is bringing his well-known intensity to the Clippers’ workouts, forcing players to up the effort at practice.
“It’s great, especially just working out with him,” Griffin said. “That intensity level is so high, you have to bring it. That’s how I like to work out. Mentally, he’s giving you an edge, besides just the stuff he’s showing you on the court. The little physical things, the footwork, the spacing, just the mindset and different ways to go about it.”
Garnett worked out with the Clippers during the offseason and Rivers told ESPN he would have been interested in bringing the 15-time all-star to Los Angeles.
“He’s got a great gift,” Rivers told reporters. “First of all, he’s gifted that he loves basketball. I think people love being around people like that. And to see his passion after all these years, I think is a great lesson for all of our guys. If you have just retired and you have that much energy, it tells you actually how much you love the game. And it’s awesome. I think it’s awesome [for] everybody to see, even our coaches. We get jaded at times, too, because we’ve been around it a long time, and you see that kind of stuff, it makes you feel good.”
Garnett’s addition to the Clippers staff reunites him with former Boston teammates Paul Pierce and Brandon Bass. Garnett, Rivers and Pierce won a NBA championship together in 2008.
Our new “Big Ticket” consultant, KG, working with @deandrejordan6 & the squad. #NBAVote pic.twitter.com/h9t4w7AuvL
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