One last look at seven years of heart ache for the Timberwolves.
Somewhere along the line, Kevin Garnett broke a mirror. It’s the only explanation for the unprecedented series of playoff frustrations that he has endured. Seven first round playoff exits. Seven years bad luck. I’m sure when that mirror came crashing down at his feet, Garnett had no idea that his dreams of post-season success were shattered along with it. But since that fateful day, Kevin’s spent every moment trying to pick up all the pieces and put everything back together again. It’s been an incredibly long journey. It’s also been an incredibly difficult one. Every time it’s seemed like things were finally starting to turn around, they twisted again, unexpectedly, and left him back where he started. Each time he thought that the last blow had been dealt, there was another right hook heading towards his jaw. And throughout all of this, Kevin just kept on going. Even though he didn’t know where he’d end up, he kept moving forward. A lesser man would have given up. No one could have blamed him if had. But Garnett wasn’t content with that life. He wouldn’t compromise himself for an easier road. Instead, Kevin shouldered the burden of all the unmet expectations. He took every criticism and let it fuel him. He kept fighting for himself, his teammates, and every fan.
Kevin continues to pick up the pieces. And as he stares at each one he sees a small reflection of the person he used to be. In one, there’s the image of a young star-in-the-making taking a franchise to the playoffs for the first year. Everyone marvels at the potential they see in him and his point guard partner. As disappointing as being swept is, the fans of Minnesota are still in awe of what the years to come will bring. If only they knew…
In another, he sees a young player crushed after letting his only chance to taste victory slip through his fingers. A single win would have changed his fate. Now he has to travel a road no player has ever been down…
Then there’s the one of a kid sitting in the locker room alone. He’s staring at the spot next to him, where his best friend used to sit. They were supposed to stay together forever, but jealousy got in the way. He feels the sting of betrayal for the first time. It’s a feeling he will become all too familiar with…
The next piece has him wearing a suit, not a jersey. He’s at a funeral paying his respects to a fallen teammate. And as the picture becomes cloudy through the tears welling up in his eyes, so does everything else in life…
The images continue to appear. One of a broken player, who lost yet another friend due to a contract scandal. One of a broken ankle being clutched by a writhing point guard. Another year, another playoff defeat. He should be used to it by now. But somehow it still hurts…
There’s a picture of a man on the brink. Trapped under expectations made by the men who’ve robbed him of the tools to meet them. He’s been swept. After all these struggles and all this fighting, he’s back where he started again. Everywhere he turns, there’s another unforgiving face hurling insults at him. He can’t take it any more. It’s his turn to lash out…
The final image is one of a man deep in thought, staring blankly at the floor. He feels the heartache for the seventh time. He wonders if perhaps it’s time to leave the city he’s grown to love. Maybe he should start over somewhere else. He has the opportunity to sign a contract extension in the summer, but he can’t bear the thought of another seven years alone…
This morning, Kevin Garnett woke up inside his beautiful mansion. He spent some time with a beautiful girl. One he’s going to marry this summer. Things are finally starting to come together, just like those broken shards of mirror. There’s only one left out of place. Kevin holds the tiny piece in his hand, and thinks back one last time on everything he’s been through. It’s all in the past now.
Tonight Kevin Garnett will open up his locker where he’s kept that cracked mirror all these years. He’ll carefully unwrap the tiny shard and put that final piece into its place. It will have been seven long years since Kevin last saw his reflection in that mirror. Looking back at him through the cracked glass will no longer be “Da Kid”. It will be “Da Man”. The people who abandoned him along the way are nowhere to be found. In their place are two of the best friends he’s ever had. He’ll take a moment to look around and wonder how this is all possible. How did he manage to spend his whole life scraping and crawling through the filth and mud, and come out clean on the other side? He’ll stop by Malik’s locker and remember his friend. This one’s for him tonight. And then he’ll join his teammates at the mouth of the tunnel, wait for his cue…
…And run out into the future.
