Kevin Garnett will keep it real with TNT

By The Sports Xchange

Brooklyn Nets center Kevin Garnett (2) looks to pass around Toronto Raptors forward Amir Johnson (15) in the second quarter in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at Barclays Center in New York City on May 2, 2014. UPI/Rich Kane

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Kevin Garnett, a retired 15-time NBA All-Star and former league MVP, has signed a multiyear deal with TNT to join the network's NBA broadcast team.

Garnett will serve as a contributor from a "custom standalone set" and "will appear weekly throughout the season providing raw insight and commentary," a Turner Sports news release said Friday.

"You might not like what I say, but I promise you this: I'm going to keep it 100 percent real," Garnett said in a short video released on the "NBA on TNT" Twitter account.

Garnett, who said he has been a longtime fan of Turner's basketball coverage, will be joined by special guests from the sports and entertainment worlds and will offer fans his unique opinions.

"KG's incredible passion for the game brings a new unfiltered narrative to our coverage," Turner executive vice president and chief content officer Craig Barry said in the press release. "This raw innovative approach will speak directly to the fans across multiple platforms."

Garnett announced his retirement Sept. 23 after 21 seasons. "The Big Ticket," as he was nicknamed, averaged 17.8 points, 10 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 1,462 career games.

After spending 12 years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who drafted him No. 5 overall out of high school in 1995, Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics in July 2007.

Garnett teamed up with veteran All-Stars Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to end the Celtics' 22-year championship drought and win his lone career title.

Garnett was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in July 23. He spent a year and a half with the Nets before being dealt back to Minnesota, where he finished his playing career.

During his MVP season with Minnesota in 2003-04, Garnett averaged career highs of 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds and 2.2 blocks over 82 games.

Garnett is expected to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer alongside recently retired Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan in the Class of 2021.