(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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Kevin Garnett is going to make his return as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at the Target Center against the Washington Wizards. 

Garnett's coming home and there's only 500 standing room 'big' tickets left Garnett's return.

I guess he really is the 'Big Ticket.'

And the only thing missing for Garnett's return is the Timberwolves' Christmas tree uniforms and his old teammates, Stephon Marbury (What are you up to, Starbury?), Sam Cassell and Latrell Spreewell.

I went to my first NBA game in the early-2000's and watched KG, Cassell, and Spreewell take on Kirk Hinrich's Chicago Bulls. I sat a few rows up the court and remember saying to my dad, 'These guys are huge!' They were. Garnett was one of the reasons I became such a big basketball fan. I loved the number 21 because it was Garnett's number.I'm older now (woof) and Garnett is, too. Garnett is 38 years old and is the old guy in town with a bunch of young, promising players.

Many don't understand why Minnesota traded for Garnett. When I heard about the deal, my first reaction was, I was stoked.

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But I was also puzzled. I wondered to myself, well then why did they package Thaddeus Young in the Kevin Love for Wiggins deal?

It was to build to the Wolves' future. Young is 26 years old and averaged a double-digit points and five rebounds a game. However, when it came down to it, Young was set to make 9.7 million next year and would probably opt out to go to a contender.

As for Garnett, I think it's a perfect fit for the Wolves. He's going to play two more years with the team who drafted him. He can retire as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Garnett will serve as a mentor for Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine. Lastly, Garnett will reunite with his old coach, Flip Saunders. Plus, Garnett and Saunders said they could pair up to buy the Timberwolves from owner Glen Taylor.

It seems ideal and I feel like I'm back in middle school. Maybe Garnett will throw chalk before tonight's game. Then Garnett will throw down a couple of jams from Ricky Rubio's passes.

*This the fourth column by Sam Tastad. Every week, Sam will write about a local or professional sports topic. For story ideas, please email him at tastadsam@gmail.com. You can follow him on Twitter @samtastad. 

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