S2E6: Setting the Stage for Kevin Garnett’s Number Retirement

It’s a Kevin Garnett Mega Pod! Ahead of the retirement of KG’s No. 5 on March 13, we hit the Garnett story from all angles. First by bringing in two of his former teammates in Eddie House and James Posey to explain what it’s like to be KG’s teammate. Next by bringing in Wyc Grousbeck to break down how the Garnett megadeal came together back in 2007. And last but not least, the man who is credited with discovering KG, William “Wolf” Nelson, who coached Garnett in high school at Farragut Academy and has been alongside KG ever since, joins the pod to talk about Garnett’s early years and how the two first met back in the day at the Nike All-American camp.

4:00 – Eddie House and James Posey join the pod

5:00 – House and Posey comment on how the Kevin Garnett trade influenced them to sign with Boston, and how House recruited Posey to the team

8:45 – House and Posey explain what it’s like being KG’s teammate for the first time

10:20 – Posey tells the story of when Doc Rivers told KG that KG would be fined if he stepped on the practice court

14:00 – House recalls how KG used to get himself amped up before every single game and every single practice

15:50 – The two former Celtics reveal the time before a game when they knew not to speak to KG anymore because he was in the zone

18:15 – Celtics lead owner Wyc Grousbeck joins the pod and reveals when and how he told KG that he wanted to retire KG’s No. 5

22:20 – Grousbeck recalls the preparation that went into the Celtics preparing for and completing a trade for KG back in 2007

25:30 – Marc and Wyc recall the story that Paul Pierce told Wyc during a free throw against Minnesota back in 2006 that KG was Boston’s missing piece

27:00 – Grousbeck comments on the lasting impact Garnett made and left on the Celtics

31:08 – KG’s high school coach at Farragut, William “Wolf” Nelson, joins the pod

33:00 – Nelson recalls when and how Garnett first moved to Chicago, and what made him allow KG to play an unconventional style of basketball for a big man

37:00- Nelson remembers the famous KG pre-Draft workout, and when he first told Garnett to not restrain his emotions on the court

42:00 – Nelson recalls when he first saw Kevin Garnett at the Nike All-American camp

49:30 – Nelson compared Garnett to Jack and the Beanstock

52:30 – Marc and Grande reconvene to break down the pod interviews

56:30 – What were plan rides and hotel experiences like with KG? Competitive. Loud. Profane. Marc and Grande remember their experiences alongside the Big Ticket

1:00:00 – Wait… KG. turns elevator rides into competitions?

1:05:30 – Grande gives context to KG’s defensive greatness

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