- [Narrator] Kevin Garnett
is the greatest player in the history of the
Minnesota Timberwolves. No one else comes close to the former MVP. Garnett went on to win a title with the Celtics who
later retired his jersey. He was an obvious choice for
Hall of Fame enshrinement. But even five years after
Garnett stopped playing, the team with which he
spent most of his career had not joined in honoring him by raising his number 21 to the rafters. Why not? Because of beef. (dramatic music) Being an NBA superstar has its benefits. You get paid many millions of dollars, fans cheer for you, and the pre-game food
spreads are exquisite. But, it also tends to mean letting some billionaire franchise
owner get way, way richer off your labor than you ever will. Let's talk about this billionaire. Glen Taylor was born
and raised in Minnesota. He stuck around to build
his printing business and become the state's richest individual. He also served as a
Republican State Senator during the 1980s. Taylor left public office in 1990, but remains an active Republican donor, contributing to campaigns like that of former Iowa Congress goblin Steve King. So yeah, very much the kind of guy who owns a sports franchise. In '94-'95 Taylor spent around $90 million of that tasty paper money to
purchase majority ownership of his hometown NBA team, which
was already in rough shape after just five years of existence. Taylor quickly assembled
the important faces of a new Timberwolves generation. He hired executive Kevin McHale, who in turn hired a fellow
Golden Gopher, Flip Saunders, as coach, then drafted a
fellow Kevin, Garnett, in 1995. Garnett represented a bit
of novelty for his era. A lottery pick straight
out of high school. He more than satisfied the hype. Garnett could uncork volcanic dunks, flick you to death from mid range and defend just about anyone. The Target Center crowd
seemed to feed his howling, prowling game, and that
relationship to the fan base extended off the court,
where he was a generous and engaged part of the
Minneapolis community. After two years of rapid development, Garnett signed what was, at the time, the largest contract in NBA history. The 21-year-old extended
his commitment to the Wolves for $121 million over six years. That was an unprecedented amount of money for any NBA player, let
alone a 21-year-old, but it's not like Taylor did that out of the goodness of his heart. Garnett rejected Minnesota's
initial extension offer and forced Taylor's hand. He knew a budding superstar could find some other billionaire to pay him the record-setting money he was worth. And then NBA owners worked very hard to lengthen rookie commitments
and cap star salary to prevent others from
getting paid like K.G. Anyway, Garnett remained a
Timberwolf for 10 more years. The organization failed him
for almost that whole time. Their owner was a big part of that. Some franchisees only show
up to write the checks. Glen Taylor has never been that kind. He was always present, in
the arena, in negotiations, in press conferences, and in
the extremely dumb scandal that kneecapped the team's ability to build around Garnett. The Wolves lost four
first-round draft picks during KG's prime. That's because in 2000,
Taylor and Kevin McHale got caught trying to be slick, tendering an illegal
under-the-table contract for free agent Joe Smith, who
wasn't even particularly good. As a penalty for what he called "fraud of shocking magnitude" Commissioner David Stern
suspended Taylor and McHale and stripped all those
precious draft picks. That hurt because the Wolves
had used KG's big contract as cover to let their initial base of supporting talent dissolve. Tom Gugliotta broke out in '97, then signed with Phoenix in '98. Stephon Marbury played
his best years elsewhere, and so did Chauncey Billups. The Wolves pursuit of new
co-stars hardly registered. Wally Szczerbiak was
Garnett's most consistent, productive teammate in Minnesota. He made one All-Star Team, which is the same number of times Garnett tried to kick his ass in practice. Sam Cassell starred at
point guard in 2004, the only season the Wolves
enjoyed any playoff success. Then, Minnesota alienated Cassell and lost him in a horrendous trade. Garnett's substantial
salary, his opinions, and perhaps his passion did
complicate Wolves business. At times, KG's favorite
teammates had leverage over management simply
because he liked them. But Garnett liking
someone only went so far. Flip Saunders coached Garnett
from the star's teenage years until he was 28. A rare long-term pairing that
made the two extremely close. But, in February, 2005,
Taylor commanded McHale to do something about
the Wolves losing record, which McHale took as initiative
to fire his friend Flip and make himself Head Coach. While the move seemed to
help in the short term, Garnett's Wolves never
made another post-season. Garnett had every reason to want out, but the 2007 trade that sent him to Boston supposedly wasn't his idea. Garnett was actually upset
to see his name in rumors. At the time Garnett's Wolves career ended, you'd find scant evidence that the star had any problem
with Taylor or vice versa. Even right after the breakup, Taylor went out of his
way to dispute rumors that Garnett had forced a trade, and the closest Garnett
got to speaking ill of his old employer was a
vague comment about loyalty. But with those years, that
waste of Garnett's prime as preamble, here comes the beef. Barnett's first season with the Celtics became a historic success. Boston won 66 games and
the 2008 Championship. The '07/'08 Wolves won 22 games. By March of '08, Taylor was grumpy enough to chuck a few darts. He suggested that Garnett tanked it at the end of the '06/'07 season. KG was unbelievably durable
throughout his Wolves tenure, but that tenure ended
with five missed games because of injury. Most people assumed the
Wolves shelved Garnett to improve their lottery odds. But no, Taylor went on record insisting Garnett's teammates
had wanted to keep playing for wins and Garnett did not. From Boston, Garnett
brushed aside the comments. Garnett's agent echoed
the general response to such claims. Kevin Garnett is borderline
sociopathic about winning. The last person you'd
expect to quit on his team. Ridiculous accusation. KG did not hold this
against his old teammates or their fan base. He actually dedicated
that Celtics championship to Minnesota, but his love
for the place and its people did not extend to the organization. During one return visit
with the Celtics in 2012, Garnett's usual warm words for the city included a shot at the franchise so casual, you could have missed it. - I have nothing positive to say so I'll just let it be that. - [Narrator] When a
Minnesota fan begged Garnett to return, Garnett responded. "No way." Things changed though. Motivated by some big recent sales, Glen Taylor expressed interest
in selling a minority stake in the Timberwolves. The expectation was
that the new part owner would eventually buy out Taylor's share. And something else changed. Flip Saunders had already
returned to the Wolves as Team President. After trading Kevin Love
for a new young core, Saunders' became Head Coach as well. In November, 2014, the 38-year-old Garnett was playing out his twilight
for the Brooklyn Nets, but got asked about the
shifting landscape in Minnesota. Garnett said bluntly that he
wanted to take Taylor's offer and someday buy the team. That would cost a lot more
than it cost Taylor in '94. In the meantime, Minnesota
assembled a February, 2015 trade for KG, who waived the no
trade clause in his contract to reunite with the coach
who helped guide him from teen star to MVP. It was of course also a reunion
with the franchise owner who traded him in '07, then singled him out
with tanking accusations. The guy who'd said paying
KG's favorite teammates drove him nuts. Garnett spoke of forgiving and forgetting when it came to Taylor. Well, okay, maybe not forgetting, but he wanted make the relationship work. After all, his ultimate
post-planning goal was to do a huge business deal with the guy. Saunders position as mediator was crucial to repairing the bridge
that would lead Garnett to his fairy tale ending. In fact, the grand plan
was for Saunders to join KG in buying stake in the franchise. Encouraged by his coach,
Garnett envisioned himself, not only investing, but making decisions, building the championship team the franchise never built for him. In the meantime, KG and
Flip would ride it out as player and coach. Garnett signed a two-year
extension in mid-2015. It'd be like the old times, except now The Kid was nearing 40. But before 2015 training
camp, tragedy struck. In August, Saunders announced
he had been diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma. His health deteriorated quickly, and on October 25th, 2015,
the husband, father of four, and beloved icon of Minnesota basketball, died at age 60. Saunders' sudden illness and passing broke hearts all around the state. It devastated the Wolves organization. The Wolves held a memorial for Saunders before their home opener in November. They put a tribute video on the Jumbotron and played the rest of the
season with Flip's name on their chest. And the timing of this
tragedy had a ripple effect. Saunders had been key to
the Garnett, Taylor détente. It was Flip who persuaded Garnett to accept the trade back to Minnesota, and it was Flip who engaged Garnett about seeking an active ownership role. After Saunders' passing,
those notions seem to vanish. Whatever understanding
Garnett had with his coach was lost on the owner. At the end of that
difficult '15/'16 season, Glen Taylor wiped out the front office and dismissed interim coach Sam Mitchell, a friend and former teammate of Garnett's. Garnett had spent the whole season excited about running the Wolves someday, and here came some job openings, at least some opportunities for input. But no, Taylor went ahead
and filled those seats on his own with outside hires. GM Scott Laden and
Coach/President Tom Thibodeau. The outgoing coach, Mitchell,
suggested his friend would not appreciate this sudden swerve. And indeed a couple months later, Garnett requested the Wolves buy out the last year on his contract. Reports described the
negotiation as tense. Though, Garnett did collect
his full salary for a season he didn't play ball anywhere, actually. KG announced his retirement
days after the buyout, in the form of a
Minnesota-centric Instagram post that told fans to stay tuned. But, Garnett spent his first
season away from the court on TV, not in the Minnesota front office. His beef with Taylor began to reheat. In an interview with Jon Krawczynski, whose reporting on this
topic is second-to-none, Garnett criticized Taylor's organization for the way they memorialized Saunders. KG had chosen not to participate
in that 2015 tribute video, explaining that he couldn't
stuff a lifetime of friendship into his allotted three minutes. Garnett was upset the
Wolves didn't raise a banner to commemorate Saunders, and felt like the memorial was shoved down
the throats of younger players who barely remembered Flip. Minnesota did eventually hang
a banner, for what it's worth. On that note, Taylor was talking around the same time about
raising Garnett's jersey to the Target Center rafters. KG said he hadn't heard from the team about retiring his number. And while promoting his TV show, Garnett continued to entertain
questions about the Wolves. He believed the Wolves changed
course after Saunders' death. He called that outcome
"a huge disappointment" that showed him the real Glen Taylor. Garnett reminded everyone
that while he was playing out his record-setting contract, Taylor's franchise value increased by way, way more than that. It multiplied. The superstar who generated
so much of that value wanted it back. He wanted control. He wanted to cut straight
to buying out Taylor. Forget that old plan
of minority ownership. Meanwhile, Garnett's remaining connections within the team tried
to restore relations. Karl-Anthony Towns helped coax Garnett back to the Target Center
for a game in 2018, the night they honored the late Prince. The team Equipment Manager
made Garnett a special jersey, but on that note, KG
didn't sound enthusiastic about retiring his number 21. And he still went out of his way to roast Taylor and company. He told Michael Pina
Minnesota's front office suck. And when Wolves star Jimmy
Butler demanded a trade, Garnett broadcast sympathy
for the guy who had to deal with his old boss. - He's dealing with Glen, who doesn't know shit about basketball. - [Narrator] Garnett made the
media rounds again in 2020, when his name came up for
Hall of Fame induction and a jersey retirement in Boston. Taylor issued public
congratulations and sort of hinted at the glaring exception
among those honors. Still no official tribute in the building Garnett played most of his career. Shams Charania prodded Garnett
about jersey retirement and Garnett unloaded. He said Taylor's
motivations weren't genuine. He said Taylor went
back on an understanding they had before Saunders died. And for all that, he
called Taylor a snake. He'd never do business with his company. Snake, snake, snake. But then, Taylor told people he intended to sell the Wolves outright for well over a billion dollars. Garnett's tone changed. He said he'd put together a bidding group and praised Taylor while doing so. But it sounds like
Taylor preferred others. Despite limiting himself to buyers who'd keep the team in Minnesota, Taylor entered 2021
courting plenty of offers. Experienced NBA governors,
local sports fixtures, and even former players, but not Garnett. Kevin Garnett's number should
be retired in Minnesota, and it probably will be someday, maybe by the time you watch this video, but that will probably require
new Timberwolves ownership. If not Garnett himself,
then at least someone other than Glen Taylor. Because all the money these
two men made each other rests on a bed of beef. And the one man capable of
bringing these two together is gone far too soon. Rest in peace Flip Saunders. (gentle music) (logo chiming)
Fuck Glen taylor
It’s honestly embarrassing that the Celtics retired KG before us.
Hopefully this video will shed some light to casual fans about why they haven't retired his jersey yet.
Stfu you're not the only one who wants his jersey retired
So mad they wasted KG’s prime with a mediocre (at best) supporting cast.
KG reaching a WCF with Wolves should count as a dynasty.
Timberwolves really the most unfortunate franchise right? Since its inception
Damn as a person who grew up watching Garnett I never knew about this. Thanks for the information! So glad Garnett got his ring and a team that valued his contribution. I wonder if the same thing happened to Love?
Why does this guy look like that simulated picture of Caesar?
You All should fallow this channels they have some good stories NBA beefs and great teams collapse.