Kevin Garnett scored 26,071 career points in his illustrious 21-year career. The first 12 seasons of Garnett's NBA journey were spent with the Minnesota Timberwolves before rejoining the club at the tail end of his playing career.
Even with KG putting up that amount of points, he’ll always be known as one of the most tenacious defenders that the game has ever seen. His prowess on that end is forever recognized, and HoopsHype recently ranked the 2020 Basketball Hall of Famer as the second-best defensive power forward of all-time.
Garnett's defensive accolades are countless
The accolades on the defensive end are aplenty for Garnett. While his Defensive Player of the Year came in 2007-08 with the Boston Celtics, KG twice finished as the runner-up for the award while with Minnesota.Â
For six straight seasons spanning from 1999-00 until 2004-05, Garnett was named to the All-Defensive first team. The next two years, his last ones during his first stint with the Wolves, KG made the second team.
For his career, the 1995 first-round pick ranks 19th on the leaderboard in both blocks (2,037) and steals (1,859). Garnett also led the league in total defensive rebounds during each of his last five seasons in his first stint with Minnesota.
Standing nearly 7-feet tall, opposing big men were often deterred by KG from challenging him down low. Garnett also had the lateral quickness to make it challenging for a much-smaller backcourt player to penetrate or get an open outside shot.
Can't be too upset with the one name ahead of him
Altogether, Garnett made 12 All-Defensive teams, tied with Kobe Bryant for the second-most ever. KG’s nine appearances on the first team are tied for the most in league history with Bryant and Michael Jordan.
The only player with more All-Defensive appearances than Garnett is also the one power forward ranked ahead of him on HoopsHype’s list. That would be Tim Duncan.
The Big Fundamental was named to 15, although he made one less first team than Garnett. Duncan was also never named Defensive Player of the Year (he did finish in the top five in voting six times).
It should also be stated that Duncan spent more time at the center position in his career than Garnett did. Choosing Duncan or KG as the more impactful defender is a debate that will have both sides well represented.
Timberwolves fans should at least appreciate that Garnett is placed above names such as Dennis Rodman and Draymond Green, two other all-time great defenders.