‘Thanks for the love’ as NBA legend Garnett calls it quits

KEVIN Garnett has decided to retire after 21 seasons in the NBA, leaving a legacy as one of the best defensive players in league history and one of the game’s most influential and intense competitors.

It is believed Garnett informed the Minnesota Timberwolves of his plans yesterday. The Timberwolves will waive Garnett, which will allow him to collect his entire $US8 million salary for next season.

That is the same approach the San Antonio Spurs took with Tim Duncan.

“I’m just thankful for everybody and the love – I never would have thought that people loved me like this,” Garnett said.

“We’ll be all right man. I don’t expect this to be easy – but so far so good.”

The 40-year-old put the Timberwolves on the map by turning one of the most hapless franchises in professional sports into a perennial playoff team.

He later helped return the Boston Celtics to glory.

He came into the league straight from high school in 1995, the first player to do so in two decades. The decision was considered a risk at the time, but Garnett’s success paved the way for Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Tracy McGrady to follow him.

Garnett won the MVP in 2004 after leading the Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals and later teamed with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to revive the Boston Celtics.