Kevin Garnett retires after 21 seasons in the NBA

In this Feb. 28, 2015, file photo, Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett (21) disagrees with a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Minneapolis.
In this Feb. 28, 2015, file photo, Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett (21) disagrees with a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Minneapolis.

MINNEAPOLIS — 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 video on his Instagram account on Friday, saying "farewell" and "thank you for the journey." He narrates the short, black-and-white video that shows him walking alone through Target Center with sunglasses on.

"I'm just thankful. I can't even put that into words," Garnett says. "I'm just thankful. I'm just thankful for everybody and the love. I never would have thought that people love me like this. But, for it to be reality is just something else, man. Man."

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 $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. "I wish him the very best in the future and want to thank him, along with our fans, for the great memories that he has given us."

The 40-year-old Garnett put the Timberwolves on the map by turning one of the most hapless franchises in professional sports into a perennial playoff team. He later helped return the Boston Celtics to glory.

He came into the league straight from high school in 1995, the first player to do so in two decades. The decision was considered a risk at the time, but Garnett's success paved the way for Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Tracy McGrady to follow him. Garnett also made more than $330 million in his career, the most by any player in league history.

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