5 memorable Kevin Garnett moments

Basketball purists can go on and on about the caliber of player Kevin Garnett was, now that he's retiring from the NBA after 21 seasons. He was one of the fiercest competitors to ever do battle on the hardwood, with an unparalleled passion for the game that may never be replicated.

His playing days may be over, but the legacy he cemented as a former MVP, 15-time All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year, and NBA champion with the Boston Celtics will never be overshadowed.

Fans have received an endless amount of memorable moments from "The Big Ticket," but here are five that stand out from the pack.

"Anything is possible."

Garnett was overcome with emotion when interviewed by ESPN's Michele Tafoya following the Boston Celtics' series-clinching win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6 of the 2008 NBA Finals.

After eight years of hardship struggling to even reach the Finals with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Garnett got his first crack at the Larry O'Brien trophy in his first season in Beantown, and he didn't let that opportunity go to waste.

"Big Baby" weeps on the sidelines

With the second unit blowing Boston's lead late in a matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers on Dec. 5, 2008, Garnett was asked to reenter the fray to clean up their mess. Rather than let them off the hook, Garnett got in the middle of the team's huddle and laid into his teammates, which Glen Davis took great exception to.

Can you really blame him for crying?

Shawn Bradley gets posterized

All 7-foot-6 of Shawn Bradley was rendered obsolete when attempting to defend this one-handed tomahawk power jam from Garnett.

No fear. No remorse. No mercy.

Anytime he taunted an opposing player

Whether you agree with his tactics or not, Garnett was simply a master at getting inside the opposition's head, especially at the defensive end of the court.

He had no filter, and always knew what buttons to push - within the confines of the rules - to throw the other team off their game. Garnett didn't necessarily need to be that kind of player because of how stout a defender he was, yet he continued to utilize psychological warfare when applicable, because it proved to be very effective.

Return to Minnesota

It was like time didn't pass at all. After waiving his no-trade clause with the Brooklyn Nets, Garnett found his way back to the organization that drafted him fifth overall in 1995.

The Target Center faithful erupted when his name was announced over the loud speakers. The greatest Timberwolf in franchise history was back where he belonged.