1995 — Kevin Garnett over Joe Smith
Number 21 played 21 seasons in the NBA, making 15 All Star squads and 9 All NBA teams. Kevin Garnett is the Minnesota Timberwolves’ all time career leader in games, minutes, field goals, free throws, offensive and defensive rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, points, BPM, and both offensive and defensive win shares.
He averaged 23 points, 13 boards, and 5 dimes over an eight year peak in Minnesota while consistently being one of the best defenders in the league. Until last season, the Timberwolves franchise had never made the playoffs without Garnett — that’s how valuable he was to the franchise. Of course KG also added six seasons in Boston and finally got a long deserved ring there. He’s a Hall of Fame lock and one of the 10 or 20 best basketball players of all time.