The Culture Changer: Why Kevin Garnett will prove to be invaluable to the Brooklyn Nets

With much fanfare and hype, the Nets moved from New Jersey to Brooklyn last season. They seemed to have it all: An All-Star (sometimes superstar) point guard, a fast developing big man, a newly added backcourt scoring threat., an ex-Kardashian husband, the most interesting owner in the league, one of the greatest rappers alive, a flashy new arena, fashionable new apparel, a new mascot, and the support of a city brimming with personality.

Kevin Garnett #2 of the Brooklyn Nets poses for a portrait during Media Day at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. (Getty Images)

And yet, there was a certain spark missing. For all their attention-grabbing efforts both on and off the court, the Nets seemed a bit hollow. Sure, they dramatically improved their win percentage and moved up from last place in the Atlantic Division to gaining home court advantage in the playoffs. But the team seemed to lack coherent identity and leadership.

Losing in the first round of the playoffs to a hobbled Chicago Bulls thumped home the point: you could have all the pieces together on paper, but without a real leader to transform the basketball culture, the team seemed destined to float in the Eastern Conference mid-tiers (otherwise known as AtlantaHawksLand).

Enter Kevin Garnett, the Culture Changer.

When Garnett was drafted 18 long years ago into the NBA by the Minnesota Timberwolves, he joined a team that was just in the sixth year of its existence and with no discernible identity. 12 years later, KG left the Timberwolves a cult hero, and in the franchise’s young history, still stands as their leader in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and minutes, and their only-ever MVP.

Garnett could never bring a championship to Minnesota, but he was involved in carrying the franchise to eight-straight playoff appearances between 1996 to 2004. The team has never been to the postseason before or after him.

Garnett (21) during his time in Minnesota. (Getty Images)

In 2007, Garnett was traded for seven players (largest number of players traded for a single player in league history) plus cash to the worst team in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics. With the help of Paul Pierce and newly-traded Ray Allen, Garnett helped transform the Celtics to the league’s best, winning 66 games and carrying the momentum to his first Championship in one season.

In the next five years, the Celtics were a one win away from another championship, a win away from another Finals appearance, and a Garnett injury away from one more season as contenders. While it was obviously a team effort, the man who brought the hunger and passion back in Boston was none other than Garnett. His legendary work-ethic, loyalty to his teammates, selflessness, and energy turned Boston into the NBA’s toughest warriors.

From the locker room to the bench to the court, Garnett instilled a never-say-die attitude in the team. From Minnesota to Boston, Garnett continued to be adored and praised by every player (and coach) whom he influenced.

And now, he’s in Brooklyn.

Garnett (#5) with the Boston C’s. (Getty Images)

When the Nets brought in Garnett, Pierce, and Jason Terry from Boston this off-season, along with signing Russian veteran Andrei Kirilenko, they declared their full intentions to go into ‘win-now’ mode.

The most intriguing team in the league just got a little more intriguing. They even signed their legendary former point guard Jason Kidd as Head Coach just weeks after he formally retired from his playing days.

Now, with a line-up of Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Pierce, Garnett, Brook Lopez, Kirilenko, Reggie Evans, Andray Blatche, and more, the Nets have the depth to make a strong improvement on last season.

But with the age factor heavily against them, Kidd’s squad don’t have the time to wait for this new mishmash of players to slowly gel together. They need results and they need them now. That is where Garnett will be most valuable.

At 37 (he will be 38 by the playoffs this season), Garnett is far from his prime and will not be able to command NBA games like he used to. But it is Garnett’s leadership and passion that will become the motor and identity of this team.

The Nets can have all the talent, but they wouldn’t have the edge to truly instil fear in other teams without the presence of Garnett. From his very first practice with the team, Garnett was already making the team more intense, more focused on defensive effort, and immediately stepped up as the team’s leader.

Joe Johnson #7, Paul Pierce #34, Kevin Garnett #2, Brook Lopez #11, and Deron Williams #8 of the Brooklyn Nets pose for a portrait during Media Day at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. (Getty Images)

At this age, you can be sure that he will be nagged constantly by injuries and fatigue, his minutes will be limited and he will be rested in many games, but as long as his presence is felt in practices, in the locker rooms, and on the bench, the Nets will have the mental spark that and positive belief that they seemed to be lacking.

The last game that the Brooklyn Nets played was Game 7 of the First Round against the Bulls. The Nets were at home and at full strength. The Bulls were playing on the road without Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, and Kirk Hinrich. But Joakim Noah, the heart and soul of the Chicago team, took it upon himself to carry the squad to an emotional victory and into the Second Round with 24 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocks despite a hurt right foot. The Nets had all the talent but none of the heart, and they faced a disappointing end to the season.

Consider that ‘heart’ fixed.

The Eastern Conference needs to be worried. Williams is a top five point guard in the league when healthy, and he will be coming back motivated to return to the All-Star level. Lopez is a rare big man in the NBA these days with a smooth offensive game, and was an All-Star last season. Kirilenko gives the Nets a talented, versatile, and experienced forward for both ends of the court, and Pierce brings the leadership and late game swagger that only few in the NBA can truly match.

And it will be Garnett who will bring all these talents together and motivate them to keep their eyes on the prize.