Garnett at ease facing Minnesota

October 9, 2007

LONDON - As new Celtic Kevin Garnett sat calmly while his old team completed practice nearby yesterday, his eyes focused on Timberwolves physical therapist Andre Deloya as he touched his chest before giving his friend some heartfelt words.

"There is a little void right here now," said Deloya, in reference to Garnett.

For 12 years Garnett was the heart and soul of Timberwolves basketball. There were 10 NBA All-Star appearances, a 2004 NBA MVP award, and a trip to the 2004 Western Conference finals for him in Minneapolis. But with the Timberwolves in rebuilding mode and the 31-year-old yearning to be in a competitive situation again, the time for a divorce came this summer when he was dealt to Boston.

Garnett's return to Minneapolis likely will be emotional when the Celtics make their lone regular-season visit there Feb. 8. But tomorrow night, the Timberwolves' all-time leader in points, rebounds, steals, assists, and blocks will face his former team for the first time, in preseason action at the O2 Arena.

Garnett showed little emotion when asked about playing the Wolves and said it makes it easier that "a lot of the players are gone now."

"Those are friends off the court and all of that," Garnett said. "It's not like it's bittersweet. I'm still in the league. I'm still having fun. I'm still enjoying the game."

Garnett had a chance to see some members of the Wolves' organization Sunday since both teams are sharing the same hotel in East Central London. Yesterday, with his fresh Celtics gear on, he crossed paths with his old team as the Timberwolves' practice ended and Boston's started at 02 Arena.

Minnesota coach Randy Wittman, players, team personnel, and media with connections to the Wolves all paid homage to Garnett before they left the arena. Ex-Celtic great Kevin McHale, Minnesota's vice president of basketball operations, also had a positive exchange with the player he drafted out of high school with the fifth overall pick in the 1995 draft. McHale said he and Garnett hadn't spoken since the latter was dealt to Boston July 31 for Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, and two first-round picks.

"It was tough, but it was just time where we were going in a different direction," McHale said. "We were trying to look out for Kevin, so we were hoping that it would be a good situation for both teams. That's usually where things work out the best, when both teams get what they want. Kevin was able to play in a perfect situation for him with Paul [Pierce] and Ray [Allen] at this stage of his career."

Timberwolves forward Mark Madsen said it was "so weird" to see Garnett wearing a Celtics uniform in an adidas ad he saw while the team was recently in Turkey for training camp.

"Ultimately, all of us that play this game understand that this is a business," Madsen said. "Really, there are a lot of things we don't have control over. I don't think Kevin had control over that situation. I think it's something that both sides decided to go in a different direction.

"On a personal note, I miss Kevin a lot. You're talking about a great player. A great friend. Just a classy guy. I miss him."

The original Celtics "Big Three" was McHale, Larry Bird, and Robert Parish. McHale said he didn't feel disrespected by the fact that Garnett, Allen, and Pierce now are being called the Big Three.

"It's good," McHale said. "I'm hoping that they do very well."

The Celtics are one of five teams veteran Timberwolves forward Juwan Howard has told management he is comfortable being dealt to. While Howard hasn't demanded a trade, he has told the Wolves he would prefer to play for a potential winner. But unless the 13-year veteran is waived, which is doubtful, he probably won't end up a Celtic because a trade is unlikely because of his $6.8 million salary.

"If it's going to make sense for us and where our future is headed to, where we are trying to get to, we'll look at [moving Howard]," Wittman said. "We've told him that we'll keep those options open as we move along. If something makes sense for us, as well as him, we'll look at that."

The MRI results on injured Celtics center Scot Pollard's left ankle revealed a bone bruise and soft tissue inflammation. He will receive treatment and be reevaluated by team physician Brian McKeon Friday. Pollard left camp early last week because of the ankle injury.