After 21 years in the NBA, Kevin Garnett has retired. This is indeed an end of an era.

The Minnesota Timberwolves bought out Garnett’s contract on Thursday, and today, Friday, September 23rd,  KG has announced his retirement. On his Instagram page Kevin had this to say: “I’m just thankful… I never thought people would love me like this.. I’ll just be alright man… To be continued.”

Garnett, who was born Greenville, South Carolina, averaged 17.8 ppg, 10 rpg, 3.7 apg, along with 1.3 spg, and 1.4 bpg. I think it could be said that Garnett was the second-greatest power forward in NBA history (behind fellow retiree, Tim Duncan). I mean, for a seven-year span, Garnett was basically an unstoppable force. His Wolves’ teams were never great, but that would all change in a trade at teh 2007 NBA Draft.

Garnett would be shipped up to Boston (nice Dropkick Murphys’ reference, right?), ending his 12-year career with Minnesota. Along with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, the Celtics would form “the Big Three” and win the 2007-08 NBA Championship, where Garnett would become remembered for his post-game interview with ESPN screaming at the top of his lungs: “Anything is possible!” Hey, that line even got featured in The Lonely Islands’  single I’m on a boat.

My first year ever watching pro hoops was that ’08 championship season where the C’s grabbed the title from the rival Lakers in six games. My dad grew up a Celtics’ fan and introduced me to the team at just the right time. I’ll never forget 131-92 W over the Kobe Bryant-led Lakers team. As a nine-year old, I was sitting on the floor crying out of happiness when KG screamed those infamous words. What an moment. I mean, truly iconic.

No player will ever be able to match the physicality and heart the KG played with. He was the king of trash-talk. He was the most fierce play on the court, night in and night out. He was Mr. Basketball 1995. He was the 03-04 MVP. He was a leader. He was a champion. He was a legend. That’s the legacy of Kevin Maurice Garnett.