TheGoldSeat

By now even the deafest timberwolf fan should have heard the news that Kevin Garnett has been traded to Boston. It is a trade that I agree with in principle, but am sad about from a nostalgia standpoint. It’s the end of an era in Minnesota sports history that began with so much promise and ended with too many regrets. To avoid shedding a tear over the recent developments, I will focus on which players the Wolves got in return for sending KG to finally play with Ray Allen. Before I get started, here is a refresher on what the trade entailed: Kevin Garnett for Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff, the first round pick that we gave Boston in the Davis/Szczerbiak trade (likely a 2009 pick), and Boston’s 2009 pick.

Certainly the most enigmatic piece of the trade is Sebastian Telfair.  Telfair began as a high school hoops legend, becomming the shortest high school to NBA player in league history.  After bursting on the scene as a high school freshman at the Adidas ABCD camp in 2000, Telfair became one of the most well known high school basketball players in the country. There was even talk that he might become the best point guard to ever come out of Brooklyn; a borough that produced Marbury, former North Carolina star Ed Cota, and Indiana Pacers’ guard Jamaal Tinsley.  The cousin of New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury, and the half-brother of former NBA player Jamel Thomas, Telfair led Lincoln High to three New York City PSAL titles and one state championship.  He was the first player in history to win three PSAL titles.  He finished his high school career as New York State’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Kenny Anderson.  Telfair was the 13th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.  He had committed to the University of Louisville and coach Rick Pitino during his senior year, but decided to turn professional instead.

Unfortunately, the success Telfair experienced as an amateur has not translated to the professional level.  Sebastian’s pro career has been highlighted by controversy and underachievement.  Many believe Telfair is one of the strongest cases for the new minimum age requirement of the NBA. 

On February 15, 2006, a loaded handgun was found in Telfair’s pillowcase on the Blazers’ private jet at Boston’s Logan International Airport. Telfair told authorities the gun belonged to his girlfriend and that he inadvertently grabbed the wrong bag when leaving for the team’s road trip. The gun was registered to Samantha Q. Rodriguez, Telfair’s girlfriend of five years. On February 21, the Massachusetts State Police announced that no charges would be filed against Telfair in the incident (Massachusetts has very strict gun laws, the violation of which can lead to a prison sentence). On February 23, the NBA front office announced that Telfair would receive a 2-game suspension for breaking the league’s collective bargaining agreement, which prohibits NBA players from carrying firearms while on league business.

Then, on October 16, 2006, Telfair had a chain reported to be worth $50,000 snatched from him while he was outside P Diddy’s restaurant, Justin’s. The following night, Telfair left a preseason basketball game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden to attend a police lineup, where he did not make any identification. A rumor began to circulate that he was seen making a phone call roughly an hour before rapper Fabolous was shot outside of the same club. Telfair voluntarily surrendered his cell phone records to police, and is not under investigation for any involvement, despite rumors to the contrary. It was later found that the chain belonged to Geonne Telfair, Telfair’s younger sibling, and Telfair was reimbursed for the stolen property.

Apparently still not done playing with guns, Telfair and a friend, Al Eden Fuentes, were arrested early on April 20, 2007 and charged with felony possession of a weapon, after a traffic stop. The traffic stop was prompted when Telfair was spotted driving his 2006 Range Rover 77 mph on the Bronx River Parkway, a 45 mph zone. Telfair was driving under a suspended Florida license. When the police searched Telfair’s vehicle, a loaded .45 caliber handgun was found under the passenger’s seat. Both Telfair and Eden claimed to not have any knowledge of the handgun. Police have yet to determine the registration status of the handgun.

 2005-2006

On January 1, 2005 Telfair had something of a breakout game by scoring 14 points on 5-11 shooting, making 4 of 5 free throws to go with 5 rebounds and 5 assists with only 1 turnover.

In February 2005, interim coach Kevin Pritchard promoted Telfair to the starting lineup. Although Telfair put up decent numbers, the Trail Blazers lost 23 of their final 28 games and finished with the team’s worst record since 1975.

2005-2006

Under new head coach Nate McMillan, Telfair began the 2005-06 season as the starting point guard. He was occasionally paired in the backcourt with another high-school draftee taken in 2005, Martell Webster. Telfair’s production was an improvement over his 2004-05 numbers, but it was still considered below par for an NBA starting point guard. As a result, he experienced increasing pressure from the Portland media. In December 2005, Telfair suffered a thumb injury and was replaced in the starting lineup by Steve Blake. Blake was less flashy but had fewer turnovers and more assists. Telfair returned to the court on January 9, after missing 12 games. Blake continued to start with Telfair coming off the bench. Although the Trail Blazers were eliminated from playoff contention, Telfair scored the winning basket against the Houston Rockets on April 5, 2006.

2006-2007

On June 28, the Trail Blazers traded Telfair along with center Theo Ratliff and a 2008 second-round pick to the Boston Celtics for guard Dan Dickau, center-forward Raef LaFrentz, and the 7th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, Randy Foye, who was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 6th overall pick, Brandon Roy. On April 24, 2007 Celtics managing partner Wyc Grousbeck announced that Telfair’s nameplate on his Celtics locker had been removed and did not expect him back for the 2007-08 season.

2007-2008

On June 8, Danny Ainge stated that it is still possible Telfair will remain a Celtic. However on July 31, 2007 the Associated Press reported that Telfair had been traded (along with Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff, and two first-round draft picks) to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Garnett. Telfair will wear Wolves jersey number 3, which was used before by cousin Stephon Marbury–Great… that worked out well for us last time!

I guess our hope for the future is that Telfair can finally achieve his full potential under the bright lights of Target Center.  At least our hope should be that he doesn’t pull Foye, McCants or Al Jefferson into gun violence and gang wars…

Street Ball Highlights:

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Through the Fire Mix:

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