Kevin Garnett: 'The fact that you are in a small market doesn't mean anything'

Garnett knows a thing or two about winning in a smaller market.

Minnesota is flyover country? Can't win the big one in a small or medium market? 

That might be true until the likes of the Timberwolves, Wild and Vikings prove otherwise, but if you ask Timberwolves legend Kevin Garnett about playing in a smaller market, he'll provide some friendly advice just as he did in a chat with Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton. 

"In my travels, I'm used to coming where it's not a lot of 'rah!' It's not New York, it's not Atlanta, it's not none of the that," Garnett told Haliburton on KG Certified. "So, when I got to Minnesota it felt similar. Like, there's not a lot of expectations [in Minnesota]. So, as I started getting better, I didn't know that people wanted to play with people that care, have passion."

Haliburton asked the Wolves icon what his blueprint was for creating a contender in a small market. 

"Giannis plays in Milwaukee," Garnett continued. "They won that ring. It's about what teams want to play with what players and can that team be that team. That's what it really came down to. The fact that you are in a small market doesn't mean anything."

Tyrese Haliburton is in the conversation.

Yes… that conversation.@KevinGarnett5KG gives Tyrese the blueprint for building a contender in a small market.

New episode of #KGCertified with @TyHaliburton22 drops tomorrow on the SHOWTIME Basketball YouTube. pic.twitter.com/8n2PceV6rk

— All the Smoke Productions (@allthesmokeprod) December 13, 2023

Garnett's words will be music to Wolves fans ears after former Minnesota guard Patrick Beverly's comments about Anthony Edwards in the summer. In a conversation on Gilbert Arenas' podcast, Beverly said Edwards needs to get out of Minnesota to be seen. 

For their part this season, the Wolves have been electric with a league-best 17-5 record, including wins against several preseason title favorites like the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets.