An Open Letter to Minnesota Timberwolf, Kevin Garnett, KG, The Big Ticket: Let The Wolves Retire Number 21

Image credit: USAToday

Minnesota needs KG to allow his

number "21" to be retired. 

Mr. Garnett,

Since you retired in 2016, our beloved Timberwolves gave us, the fans, hope that after 14 seasons, the team would be a regular in the playoff's for years to come. Tom Thibodeau coached the team back to the playoff's after the 2017-18 season and the Wolves even won a game before losing 4 games to 1 to the Houston Rockets. The Timberwolves return to the playoffs was short lived, however and they missed the playoff's this past season.

During the time after you were sent to the Celtics and then since you retired, there have been a few positive things happen with the team. Some of the positives include: Karl-Anthony Towns is now a 2-time All-Star. We had legendary coach Rick Adelman give the team some respectability and as I mentioned already, the team made the playoffs after 14 years. Not many positives though.

The positives have paled in comparison to the negatives... And oh, there have been plenty.
The Wolves traded Kevin Love for the number 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft, Andrew Wiggins. At the time of the trade, it was considered to be a huge positive and we all believed Wiggins would become an All-Star for years to come but, after 5 seasons he has proven to be nothing more than a streaky scorer while taking up a ton of the teams salary cap. Tom Thibodeau was fired mid-season this past year and was replaced by Flip Saunders' son, Ryan. He is young but, like his dad, he is well liked and has the support of the organization and fans.as well. You already knew about Jimmy Butler and him giving the organization a huge black-eye when he forced his way out of town.

Here we are, about to start another NBA season and while the team has a few bright spots to give us hope for the future, we are not expecting the team to make the playoffs this year.
This organization has seen so many bad things happen to it and us fans could really use something positive to happen with the team that would give us all something to be happy and proud of. Something that could happen rather quickly while not taking several years to pan out.
I think the big positive thing, involves you. After all, you are "The Big Ticket."

The fans of the Minnesota Timberwolves would really, REALLY appreciate seeing your number 21 jersey be retired and hanging from the rafters at Target Center along side the only other retired number... 2. We all remember it was worn by your close friend and fan favorite Malik Sealy.

Recently fans have began to wonder why your number has not yet been retired? My own opinion has been that you dislike owner, Glen Taylor (who doesn't "know shit about basketball") as much as I do. So I wrote an article that focused on Taylor needing to do whatever he could to get you on board to retire your number. (Click HERE to read that article)  A fan responded to the article by suggesting that you have been unwilling to work with Taylor to get it done. I don't know if that is accurate or not but, it would mean a lot to all the Timberwolves fans if you could put aside your differences with Taylor long enough to give you and your career a proper ending.

When Flip brought you back to finish your career with the Wolves, it was one of the best things that has happened to the team since it entered the NBA. Us fans never wanted to see you traded so, it meant a lot when you waived your no-trade clause and came back home. Your retirement was quiet and fans were never allowed the chance to say 'thank you for all you have done for the team and the State of Minnesota.' You were just gone. It has left us with an empty feeling. A similar comparison is with another Minnesota sports legend.... Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback, Fran Tarkenton. He was so popular with the fans but, since he retired he has had very little to do with the franchise. If not for former head coach, Bud Grant telling him to show up for important team events, I doubt Tarkenton would have made an appearance at all. It would really be a bitter pill for Wolves fans to swallow if you shun the team as Tarkenton has. Some of us fans take that personally.

The next milestone your legacy will see is you being inducted into the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame. It will be embarrassing as a fan if you go into the Hall of Fame before your number is retired by the team you carried for so many years.

Your final season with the team proved how much of an impact you had with the young players. You set the tone for how players prepare for games, how they play and how they conduct themselves in and outside of the Target Center. I understand that you have no interest in being a coach but, your presence is badly needed with this team in some capacity.

I apologize for my rambling on and on as I have. I guess its my way of doing what I can to encourage you put your differences aside with Glen Taylor. Please. We (fans) really need something to cheer about this season and the Timberwolves officially retiring number 21 would be one big positive that will be permanent. Come back to us... Come back to the team, some way, some how. Let us say 'Thank you' for what you have done. It will mean a lot to us all.

Thank you!

Signed,

Wolves Fan In Dallas AKA Jim Watkins