Minnesota Timberwolves' Coach Shows Faith in Kevin Garnett With Latest Decision

Minnesota Timberwolves
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Friday, Minnesota Timberwolves veteran forward Kevin Garnett put the pen to the paper and made it official. A two-year, $16 million deal brings him back to the Twin Cities and his beloved fan base couldn’t be more excited.

Flip Saunders, the Wolves’ president and head coach, gave the Associated Press some insight as to how he plans to use Garnett in the coming season. According to the report, Saunders plans to have Garnett in the team’s starting lineup on opening night.

Not only will he start, Saunders said, but he should be good to go for some back-to-backs. Garnett has been working hard during the summer to get his body into top form so that he can give Minnesota just a little bit more out of his 39-year-old self. Although many experts may believe Garnett is better suited for a bench role, this actually makes perfect sense if you’re Saunders.

This decision to play Garnett with the starting group is a no-brainer, to tell the truth. Sure, Saunders said that Garnett only plans to play roughly 20 minutes per game. But, having him on the court early is going to be mandatory for any success the Wolves have in 2015-16.

Garnett will impact the game early on, especially at home. He still draws a full crowd and creates an electric atmosphere at Target Center. Wolves fans from the last fifteen years began to circle back once Garnett returned to Minnesota in February of the 2014-15 season. They hadn’t had much to cheer about over the years, but make no mistake, the second Big Ticket walked back into that arena, the place erupted. From that moment on, every single home introduction was pure nostalgic pandemonium.

What head coach wouldn’t start a guy that sells tickets and creates an exciting, competitive atmosphere? Saunders is making the right move here, and he knows it. Getting Garnett on the floor right away will only help the team, and that’s a fact.

Ryan Heckman is a writer for www.RantSports.com covering the NBA and NFL. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.

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