Tyronn Lue invites Kevin Garnett to help coach Cavaliers
Just a week after announcing his retirement, future Hall of Famer and 21-year NBA veteran Kevin Garnett is being recruited to coach the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers.
Following Cleveland's practice on Thursday, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue, who was an assistant under coach Doc Rivers when Garnett played in Boston, said that he has invited the 15-time All-Star to join his coaching staff.
"I talked to him about it," Lue told reporters. "I know his wife is pushing for it a lot. Brandi is pushing for it, trying to get him to come and coach. He says he's not ready yet. He goes back, 'I might do it,' but he's back and forth. We'll see.
"But I'd definitely make a spot for him if he wanted to come back and coach."
Lue also said that Garnett plans to attend the Cavs opening game and ring ceremony on Oct. 25.
"I know he'll be here for that and he says he'll be around a lot," Lue said. "We'll see."
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In addition to his 15 All-Star selections, Garnett finished his career with an NBA championship (2007-08), MVP award (2003-04), Defensive Player of the Year award (2007-08) and 12 All-Defensive selections (nine First Team).
"Everything he's done, he's been a trendsetter," Lue continued. "Just seeing him leave the game and the way he played every night on a night to night basis, every practice from me being with him in Boston, just how he approached the game every single day. He was just like LeBron (James). One of the easiest guys to coach as far as being a superstar, as far as telling him what to do, they would do it. If they didn't like what you were doing, they'd pull you out to the side and tell you. They'd never call you out in front of everybody.
"Just having respect for everybody from the janitor to the owner. Him, Kobe (Bryant) and (Tim) Duncan (retiring from the NBA) at the same time is bad for the game. But we all get old. It's all part of the game."
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