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One week ago Friday, the Wolves and Celtics faced off at Target Center. Although Kevin Garnett, the main attraction on this particular night, was sidelined due to an abdominal strain, a soldout crowd welcomed the former face of the franchise.
We caught up with a pair of Wolves fans and KG supporters to discuss the atmosphere surrounding Garnett's emotional return.
Q: Your thoughts on the brief standing ovation for the Big Ticket?
Bruce Lee: It brought back a lot of memories for me, especially when the PA guy announced his name. I wish more could have been done for him and that we could have seen him suit up and play on his old court. Nonetheless, it was an experience that I will never forget.
Q: I see that you dusted off your KG jersey and wore it out to the game.
Lee: Yeah, I've been ready to break it out since I bought tickets before the season began. This is a jersey I will probably cherish for the rest of my life. I've thought about buying a new KG Celtics jersey but I can't bring myself to wear a jersey other than Minnesota.
Q: Is this both a happy and a sad day for you?
Lee: It really is. Nice to see him back, but at the same time remembering all of his great moments really made you reminiscent and almost longing for those days to return. I hope someday he can be back in a Timberwolves jersey. Like Webber returning to Golden State. I can see him playing alongside Al (Jefferson).
Q: What do you think about the game so far, the Wolves being up 45-40 at halftime?
Lee: I think we're playing a lot better. Maybe even playoff caliber. I just wish this was the beginning of the year.
Q: And the sellout crowd?
Lee: It really is intense tonight. This is the way I like to see it. As soon as this group grows together for a few years and wins some more games, the big crowds will return more consistently.
Q: How big of a disappointment is it not being able to see Garnett play?
Lee: For me it was enough that he came out and saluted the fans. I understand the injury situation and for me it was enough that he made the trip.
Q: We're you able to fight through the traffic and make it in to the arena on time for Kevin Garnett's return to the court?
Andrew Aarestad: It took some hustle but I made it in on time. It was a very special moment. Wouldn't have missed it for the world. Outside of Kirby Puckett, he was the most admired sports figure ever in Minnesota.
Q: Could you feel the excitement in the arena when he came out?
Aarestad: Yeah I could. It was really cool to see everybody really appreciate him and what he did for this organization. It almost made you come to tears.
Q: What are your feelings on the game so far, even though KG isn't suited up?
Aarestad: The Wolves are playing well. Al Jefferson is doing his thing down there even though it took him awhile to get going. It would be a lot more exciting if KG was out there but it is what it is. I don't really blame the Celtics for being so cautious with their multi-million dollar investment.
Q: How about Corey Brewer and his hustle play tonight?
Aarestad: He really got up for this game. I like the way he's played in many aspects this year; I just wish he would find his scoring touch. But you can tell that the desire, hustle and potential are all there.
Q: The house is jam packed tonight, how different is the feeling tonight than most home games this year?
Aarestad: Yeah, definitely. To look around and see almost every seat occupied is refreshing. It's nice to see Target Center full again. So far this season we haven't seen that.
Q: Do you miss having more room to spread out?
Aarestad: No, I like it when there's a lot of people here and to see some support for the team. It also makes for a more exciting game.
Q: Any last words for the Big Ticket?
Aarestad: It would have been nice to see more of you tonight. Maybe next year.
We caught up with a pair of Wolves fans and KG supporters to discuss the atmosphere surrounding Garnett's emotional return.
Q: Your thoughts on the brief standing ovation for the Big Ticket?
Bruce Lee: It brought back a lot of memories for me, especially when the PA guy announced his name. I wish more could have been done for him and that we could have seen him suit up and play on his old court. Nonetheless, it was an experience that I will never forget.
Q: I see that you dusted off your KG jersey and wore it out to the game.
Lee: Yeah, I've been ready to break it out since I bought tickets before the season began. This is a jersey I will probably cherish for the rest of my life. I've thought about buying a new KG Celtics jersey but I can't bring myself to wear a jersey other than Minnesota.
Q: Is this both a happy and a sad day for you?
Lee: It really is. Nice to see him back, but at the same time remembering all of his great moments really made you reminiscent and almost longing for those days to return. I hope someday he can be back in a Timberwolves jersey. Like Webber returning to Golden State. I can see him playing alongside Al (Jefferson).
Q: What do you think about the game so far, the Wolves being up 45-40 at halftime?
Lee: I think we're playing a lot better. Maybe even playoff caliber. I just wish this was the beginning of the year.
Q: And the sellout crowd?
Lee: It really is intense tonight. This is the way I like to see it. As soon as this group grows together for a few years and wins some more games, the big crowds will return more consistently.
Q: How big of a disappointment is it not being able to see Garnett play?
Lee: For me it was enough that he came out and saluted the fans. I understand the injury situation and for me it was enough that he made the trip.
Q: We're you able to fight through the traffic and make it in to the arena on time for Kevin Garnett's return to the court?
Andrew Aarestad: It took some hustle but I made it in on time. It was a very special moment. Wouldn't have missed it for the world. Outside of Kirby Puckett, he was the most admired sports figure ever in Minnesota.
Q: Could you feel the excitement in the arena when he came out?
Aarestad: Yeah I could. It was really cool to see everybody really appreciate him and what he did for this organization. It almost made you come to tears.
Q: What are your feelings on the game so far, even though KG isn't suited up?
Aarestad: The Wolves are playing well. Al Jefferson is doing his thing down there even though it took him awhile to get going. It would be a lot more exciting if KG was out there but it is what it is. I don't really blame the Celtics for being so cautious with their multi-million dollar investment.
Q: How about Corey Brewer and his hustle play tonight?
Aarestad: He really got up for this game. I like the way he's played in many aspects this year; I just wish he would find his scoring touch. But you can tell that the desire, hustle and potential are all there.
Q: The house is jam packed tonight, how different is the feeling tonight than most home games this year?
Aarestad: Yeah, definitely. To look around and see almost every seat occupied is refreshing. It's nice to see Target Center full again. So far this season we haven't seen that.
Q: Do you miss having more room to spread out?
Aarestad: No, I like it when there's a lot of people here and to see some support for the team. It also makes for a more exciting game.
Q: Any last words for the Big Ticket?
Aarestad: It would have been nice to see more of you tonight. Maybe next year.
