Prior to Kevin Garnett’s retirement last week, Clippers head coach and team president Doc Rivers would have wanted him to play in L.A.
The 40-year-old legend’s mind, however, was made up about walking away from the game.
Rivers plans to offer KG “something” and somehow bring him into the Clippers’ fold.
Per ESPN:
“I would have absolutely been interested in bringing him here. You always find a place for a guy like that, whose voice in the locker room is so strong, so clear, so impactful. […] He’s such a great teacher in practice. He should start a course in leadership. The NBA should designate who the best player is on each team and then they could bring Kevin in and he could teach them how to be the best player and the best leader. Better yet, they could bring him and Tim [Duncan] in and they could teach it together and show people how it can be done in two completely opposite ways.”
Rivers said that Garnett feels “really great” and was working out as recently as a couple of weeks ago. His knee issues, Rivers believes, could be handled with the proper regimen of rest and treatment. […] “The sad thing is he could play another year if he wanted to,” Rivers said. “Maybe that’s why he’s retired but not retired. He loves the young guys on that Minnesota team. They’re great listeners and he loved working with them. It’s too bad it’s ending like this for him.”
Garnett will stay in the game in some capacity, Rivers confirmed, and said he’s already thinking up ways to bring him into the Clippers fold. Garnett has a home in Malibu, California. […] “I’m going to offer him something,” Rivers said. “I don’t want to say too much right now. I just know he’d be a great asset to any team.”
