{"id":2969,"date":"2016-12-13T08:00:28","date_gmt":"2016-12-13T13:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/?p=2969"},"modified":"2016-12-13T11:27:04","modified_gmt":"2016-12-13T16:27:04","slug":"mcxm-2016-nba-legends-retire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2016\/12\/13\/mcxm-2016-nba-legends-retire\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Most Captivating Storylines of 2016: NBA Legends Retire"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the 2016 calendar year comes to an end, the LWOS MCXM series captures the 10\u00a0most captivating moments and storylines\u00a0from 2016 in each sport. For LWOPB, we take a look at the 10 events that\u00a0drew headlines this past year, bringing drama, excitement, and\/or intrigue to the NBA.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

This edition of the series takes a look at\u00a0<\/span>the final season and retirements of NBA legends in 2016, most notably Kevin Garnett<\/a><\/strong>, Kobe Bryant<\/a><\/strong>, and Tim Duncan<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

NBA Most Captivating Storylines of 2016:\u00a0NBA Legends Retire<\/strong><\/h1>\n

2016 may be a year defined by mixed emotions, from the U.S. presidential election to the historic NBA regular season to the even more historic NBA Finals<\/b> to the even more<\/i> historic MLB World Series<\/b>. Well, nothing brings out mixed emotions like the retirement of athletes we love. From <\/span>Derek Jeter<\/b>\u2019s retirement tour in baseball<\/a> just a couple years ago, to Michael Jordan<\/a><\/b>\u2019s third and <\/span>final retirement<\/a> over a decade ago, the greats always seem to find ways to go out with a bang.<\/span><\/p>\n

This year, the NBA saw Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Amar’e Stoudemire<\/b>, and Ray Allen<\/a><\/b> finally finish their careers in the league. Stoudemire is just 34 years old, so he headed off to play for Hapoel Jerusalem<\/b> in the Israeli Basketball Premier League<\/b>. His knees failed him throughout his career, eventually turning Stoudemire from an All-Star<\/b> to a washed-up veteran in just a few short years. Allen, on the other hand, hasn\u2019t played in a pro game since the 2014 NBA Finals<\/b>. After the San Antonio Spurs<\/b> demolished Allen\u2019s Miami Heat<\/b>, LeBron James<\/a><\/b> left Miami, making Allen\u2019s future unclear. He spent over two years in free agency, with <\/span>many rumors swirling<\/a> about where he was headed next. Finally, on November 1st, Allen wrote a <\/span>letter for the Players\u2019 Tribune<\/b><\/a>, announcing his official retirement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since Allen and Stoudemire already had a foot out the door, let\u2019s focus on the other three \u2013 Garnett, Bryant, and Duncan. Interestingly enough, Garnett, Bryant, and Duncan were selected in three consecutive drafts \u2013 1995, 1996, and 1997, respectively. We\u2019ll take a look at each of their careers and retirements, in chronological order of\u00a0the years they were drafted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kevin Garnett<\/strong><\/h2>\n

After a 21-year NBA career, KG confirmed his retirement (which was reported a bit earlier) on September 23rd through this Instagram<\/b> video:<\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BKtsRsDAMsA\/<\/p>\n

Garnett had a long and illustrious career. He made history when he was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves<\/b> in 1995, becoming the first NBA player to come directly out of high school in about two decades. Garnett\u2019s move was ground-breaking, as he paved the way for the NBA\u2019s prep-to-pro generation, which Jonathan Abrams<\/b> of Bleacher Report<\/b> covered extensively in his <\/span>recent book<\/a>. Of course, Garnett also went on to achieve countless things after\u00a0taking that leap to the big league.<\/span><\/p>\n

Garnett\u2019s\u00a0NBA Resum\u00e9<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n

KG played in 1,462 NBA games, the fifth most of all time. Garnett is one of only a few players to place in the top 50 on the NBA\u2019s all-time lists for career numbers in all five major statistical categories \u2013 points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks \u2013 showing his nearly unparalleled versatility. He was a defensive menace, winning the Defensive Player of the Year<\/b> award once and making 12 All-Defensive<\/b> teams. KG also made nine All-NBA<\/b> teams and 15 All-Star<\/b> teams. He won a gold medal with Team USA<\/b> in the 2000 Sydney Olympics<\/b>, and he won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics<\/b> in 2008. Of course, possibly Garnett\u2019s most impressive accomplishment came in 2004, when he won the MVP<\/b> award, beating out the likes of Shaquille O\u2019Neal<\/b>, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Allen Iverson<\/a><\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Full Circle<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Garnett played the first 12 years of his career in Minnesota. After being traded to Boston and having great success there, KG was dealt to the Brooklyn Nets<\/b> in 2013. Just a year and a half later, he was traded again. This time, Garnett landed back with the Timberwolves, to finish his career where it all began. He truly went full circle.<\/span><\/p>\n

TNT Bound<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Shortly after Garnett\u2019s retirement, the Inside the NBA<\/b> crew <\/span>announced that KG would be joining their team<\/a>, covering the NBA on TNT<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kobe Bryant<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The entire process of Kobe Bryant\u2019s retirement was quite memorable. Just like Garnett, Bryant had a very long career, full of unbelievable accomplishments and breathtaking moments:<\/span><\/p>\n