NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett has surprisingly chosen the Portland Trail Blazers as the team he would coach, bypassing his former franchises in Boston and Minnesota. The Blazers are building momentum in the preseason, most recently beating the Sacramento Kings 110-98 on October 13.
Garnett explained his choice during a recent livestream. He said he sees himself as a teacher, not a coach, but made an exception for Portland. "I would never coach, but if I could coach a team? Yeah. Portland. I like Portland," Garnett stated. He was clear about his love for his old teams but sees something unique in the Blazers' construction. "We haven't seen it yet," he added.
His interest centers on Portland's deep backcourt. Garnett praised the team for keeping its guards, naming Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, Jrue Holiday, and Scoot Henderson. He believes this depth is vital for competing in the West. "You gotta have guard play to beat the Spurs. You gotta have guard play to beat OKC," Garnett argued. He thinks multiple ball-handlers are needed to break down elite defenses in the playoffs.
Garnett's analysis points directly to Portland's strategy. He highlighted their decision not to trade away backcourt talent. This creates options against different defensive schemes. The roster also includes wing playmaker Deni Avdija and big men like Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III for interior defense.
This balance allows for lineup flexibility. The Blazers can pressure defenses with their guards while maintaining size on the other end. It's a formula for surviving the playoff grind, where one primary creator can be shut down. Portland's preseason form shows promise, with wins like their 123-118 victory over the Golden State Warriors on October 7.
The team is in a strong preseason rhythm. After a 119-66 win over the London Lions on October 12, they followed it with the 110-98 result against the Kings. Their next test is a quick rematch, facing the Golden State Warriors on the road on October 16.
Injuries are a factor, with Shaedon Sharpe expected to miss significant time with a torn meniscus. But the core group Garnett praised is intact. The challenge for head coach Chauncey Billups is managing rotations and closing lineups with so much guard talent. Finding the right combinations will be key to turning preseason success into regular-season wins.
Garnett's endorsement is a significant vote of confidence in Portland's direction. It shows a belief that their roster construction, particularly the investment in guard play, is a smart move for the modern NBA. Whether it translates to beating the conference's best is not yet clear, but the foundation has caught the eye of a legend.
