Only a week after he announced his retirement, Kevin Garnett is already back at training camp – but this time not as a roster player, but as a coach.
Garnett has been working out with the Los Angeles Clippers big men. His role with the team may not be clearly defined yet, but the 15-time all-star is out to help his former coach, Doc Rivers.
Appearing at Clippers training camp is certainly splendid news for the fans who want to see Garnett on Rivers' side once again. After a video of him teaching Blake Griffin some post moves surfaced, Rivers had this to say on why his former player is present during practices (per Dan Woike of the Orange County Register):
“I don’t know. I’m going to … we’ll just figure it out. If it happens, it’ll be great. But, he’s going to be around enough where it’s official as far as I’m concerned.”
There is definitely plenty of reasons for The Big Ticket to join this team's staff. His good friend and teammate from the 2008 championship-winning Boston Celtics squad, Paul Pierce, is entering his final season. Brandon Bass is also someone Garnett has a good relationship with, and there's also assistant coach Sam Cassell who mentored him during his younger playing years with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Clippers players are also delighted to have him during their build-up for the coming season. Starting center DeAndre Jordan spoke about wanting to have Garnett with them for the long run:
“A lot of guys would be hanging out and relaxing, but he’s in a full-blown sweat before practice, lifting with us, shooting after with us. You really have to take and bottle that up, and I’m going to do just that… I hope he’s here permanently. I want to do whatever I can do to make that happen.”
Should Garnett agree to remain with Doc Rivers and company, he'll be a big boost to a team that's consistently making the playoffs but just hasn't seemed able to get over the hump and make a serious Championship run.
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