Kevin McHale once gave a blunt explanation for why a young Kevin Garnet didn't start for the Timberwolves: 'Kevin was a stick back then'

Kevin McHale was part of the Minnesota Timberwolves' front office when the team selected Kevin Garnett with the fifth overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft. The 6'11" forward, who came straight out of high school, was undeniably talented at the time. However, during the early part of KG's rookie season, he primarily came off the bench.

Fast forward to June 2010, and McHale openly shared his thoughts on that decision, staying true to his no-nonsense approach.

"You didn't want him starting some nights against (players like) Karl Malone. Kevin was a stick back then. Why get him beat up? Bring him in, put him in favorable matchups," recounted McHale, per ESPN.

The T-Wolves were cautious with KG

The young Garnett, who would eventually earn the infamous nickname "The Big Ticket," wasn't as "big" in those early years; he was quite skinny, as McHale noted. While KG's then-physique might not stand out by today's NBA standards, the mid-90s were a different story. During that time, big men — like Malone — were usually tall, strong, and muscular.

Therefore, McHale, who was a multiple All-Star forward himself and a three-time champion with the Boston Celtics in the '80s, supported the decision to develop Garnett gradually. Years later, the "Black Hole" reflected on this as crucial.

"I was afraid at an early age if he (Garnett) didn't have success, he'd start losing his confidence," McHale explained.

A lesson in confidence and hard work

Today, it's hard to imagine that KG ever struggled with confidence, especially given the Hall of Famer's reputation for self-assurance. However, that cautious approach early in his NBA career was understandable and even beneficial.

"I think it's kind of good not to just come in and start," said the 2004 MVP. "I think it gives you a chance or a cushion to make some mistakes, and it drove me."

With the then-rookie from South Carolina coming off the bench, McHale wanted him to grasp another important lesson: every player must earn minutes. The former NBA executive shared a humorous story that made him realize this philosophy.

As a child, McHale received a bike after his father, a hardworking miner, saved up to buy it. Understanding the effort behind that gift, the young boy cherished the bike. However, years later, as a parent, the Celtics legend noticed that his kids didn't appreciate the bikes he had bought because they simply hadn't had to earn them.

"That's when I realized, if you just give things to people, they don't respect it," explained McHale. "You earn it; you respect it. If you teach the young players how to respect the game, how to earn their minutes, they'll be better."

Garnett admirably embraced everything the T-Wolves asked of him at the time. When Flip Saunders was appointed head coach in December 1995, he finally earned a spot in the starting lineup. This marked a significant milestone for "The Big Ticket" on his path to becoming arguably the greatest player in franchise history.