Nets head coach Lionel Hollins names Kevin Garnett his starting power forward
The days of playing out of position at center are over for Brooklyn Nets power forward Kevin Garnett, according to head coach Lionel Hollins.
Lionel Hollins says KG is his starting PF. "He's earned that right."
— devin kharpertian (@uuords) September 15, 2014
Hollins says retirement wasn't brought up in conversation with KG. Used an interesting analogy: "It's either you're pregnant or you're not."
— Stefan Bondy (@nydninternets) September 15, 2014
Lionel Hollins said KG will start. As for minutes, he said if KG is healhy, he "won't be playing 15, 16 minutes a game. I guarantee that."
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) September 15, 2014
As per Basketball Reference's play-by-play estimates, Garnett spent 76 percent of his playing time at center last season, mostly as a result of the Nets' strategy to play small following incumbent center Brook Lopez's foot injury. With Lopez healthy, Garnett figures to return to his natural position.
The declaration from Hollins also hints at Garnett's return next season. While Garnett hasn't yet picked up his player option for 204-15, all signs point to the 19-year veteran returning to Brooklyn.
Garnett averaged just 6.5 points and 6.6 rebounds in a little over 20 minutes per game last season. His performance has slipped with age, but Garnett remains a very effective defender. Playing power forward also reduces the amount of wear and tear endured while guarding the rim. Garnett appeared in only 54 games last season.
The Nets' rotation figures to include Garnett and Lopez in the starting spots, while Mason Plumlee and Mirza Teletovic slot in as backups.