KEVIN GARNETT has decided to retire after 21 seasons in the NBA, leaving a legacy as one of the best defensive players in league history and one of the game’s most influential and intense competitors.

    Garnett posted a farewell video Friday, four days before the Minnesota Timberwolves are set to open training camp.

    In more than two decades in the NBA, Garnett opened the door for a new wave of young talent to enter the league, was partly responsible for a rewriting of the collective bargaining agreement and nearly single-handedly redefined what the game’s tallest players were allowed to do on the court.

    Fittingly, and maybe a little reluctantly, No. 21 is calling it a career after 21 years. “I’m just thankful. I can’t even put that into words,” Garnett says. “I never would have thought that people love me like this.”

    Garnett informed the Timberwolves of his decision to retire Friday. The team will waive the franchise icon, which will allow him to collect his entire US$8 million salary for next season. That is the same approach the San Antonio Spurs took with Tim Duncan.

    “I’m proud of our association with Kevin, just seeing him grow over the years,” Wolves owner Glen Taylor told The Associated Press.”

    The 15-time All-Star was MVP in 2004 after leading the Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals and ranks first in the league in career defensive rebounds, third in minutes played and fifth in games played.

    He came into the league straight from high school in 1995, the first player to do so in 20 years. The move paved the way for Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Tracy McGrady to follow him, and for the league to institute a rule requiring players to be one year removed from high school before being draft eligible. Garnett also made more than US$330 million in his career, the most by any player in league history.

    “He literally changed our culture,” said Clippers coach Doc Rivers, who coached Garnett in Boston.

    Garnett spent a forgettable season and a half with the Brooklyn Nets before the late Flip Saunders convinced Garnett to agree to a trade to return to Minnesota at the deadline in 2015.

    During his second stint with the Wolves, he served as a mentor to youngsters like Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Gorgui Dieng and Zach LaVine.

    (SD-Agencies)