ONE NATION UNDER GOD: NBA ALLSTAR playing POKEMON GO

LOOK: NBA: Garnett says ‘farewell’ after 21 NBA seasons

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<b>Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett is calling time on his NBA career after 21 seasons, posting a video on Instagram saying "farewell" and "thank you" to fans who have backed him since 1995.<br /><br />Garnett posted the video on Friday amid reports he and the Timberwolves had reached a deal on a buyout of his $8 million contract for the upcoming season.<br /><br />The 40-year-old departs as the most productive player in the history of the Timberwolves, where he spent 13 1/2 of his 21 seasons.<br /><br />"I'm just thankful. I can't even put that into words," Garnett says in the moody video that shows him alone in Minnesota's Target Center arena.<br /><br />"I'm just thankful. I'm just thankful for everybody and the love. I never would have thought that people love me like this," he adds in the video, which ends with the words "Farewell" and "Thank you for the journey" on the screen.<br /><br />Garnett was drafted out of high school in 1995 and became one of the top power forwards in league history, helping make the long-suffering Timberwolves into playoff contenders.<br /><br />He was the first player in two decades to go straight from high school to the NBA, and his success paved the way for similar moves by Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Tracy McGrady.<br /><br />In departing he follows long tenured veterans Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan out of the NBA.<br /><br />The 15-time All-Star ranks 17th with 26,071 career points, ninth in career rebounds with 14,662 and 17th in blocked shots with 2,037 and was the league Most Valuable Player in 2004.<br /><br />Known for is intensity and his meticulous training habits, Garnett is one of five players to log at least 50,000 NBA game minutes.<br /><br />Traded from the Timberwolves to the Boston Celtics in 2007, Garnett won a title with the Celtics in 2008 when he was named defensive player of the year.<br /><br />He returned to Minnesota in February of 2015 and averaged 3.2 points and 3.9 rebounds in 38 games last season while battling injuries.<br /><br />He also mentored rising star Karl-Anthony Towns as he provided a veteran presence on a young Minnesota team.<br /><br />"It has been a real joy to watch KG come into the league as a young man and watch him develop his skills to become one of the very best in the NBA," said Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor.<br /><br />"I have treasured the opportunity to see him grow as a leader. I wish him continued success in the next chapter of his life. His Minnesota fans will always cherish the memories he has provided."<br /><br />The news comes with the Timberwolves first training camp under coach Tom Thibodeau set to begin on Tuesday.<br /><br />Minnesota's Spanish guard Ricky Rubio was among the players using social media to pay tribute to Garnett.<br /><br />"Thank you KG!!" Rubio said in an Instagram post. "Hands down one of the best to ever play this game. I learned what hard work really means. Great teammate. It was a dream come true to play next to you."</b><br />
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SOURCE: <a href="http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/582551/sports/basketball/nba-garnett-says-farewell-after-21-nba-seasons">ABS-CBN</a></h4>

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett is calling time on his NBA career after 21 seasons, posting a video on Instagram saying ...

LOOK: NBA champ Shumpert tries to catch Staryu with Irving.

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<span style="color: magenta;">The water pokemon, however, breaks free from Iman Shumpert's pokeball</span></h2>
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">POKEMON GO. Iman Shumpert of the Cleveland Cavaliers, seen here during the team's championship victory parade, is busy catching pokemon with Kyrie Irving during the offseason. Mike Lawrie/Getty Images/AFP</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">MANILA, Philippines – Not even NBA champions are immune to Pokemon Go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cleveland Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert was also sucked into the Pokemon Go craze when he endeavored to capture Staryu, a water pokemon, before getting in some yoga in Miami Beach at 7 am on Friday, September 16.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px;">Teammate</span> Kyrie <span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px;">Irving, one of the heroes in the Cavs' NBA title run last June, incredulously documented </span>Shumpert's<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px;"> undertaking.</span><br />
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When it's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2KDay?src=hash">#2KDay</a>, but you still gotta catch 'em all...😂 (via <a href="https://twitter.com/KyrieIrving">@KyrieIrving</a>) <a href="https://t.co/ZUZrsgYSnS">pic.twitter.com/ZUZrsgYSnS</a></div>
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/776791579390607364">September 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
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"Shump! Give it a break!" Irving implored his teammate.</div>
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"There's a Staryu. There's a Staryu right here," responded Shumpert, who showed his smartphone to Irving and proceeded to catching the pokemon with a curve ball.</div>
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Unfortunately it broke free from the pokeball.</div>
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Perhaps Irving can get an update when Shumpert evolves it into Starmie?</div>
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The Cavs will defend their first-ever championship when the new NBA season begins late October.<br />
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<span style="color: #4c4c4c; font-family: roboto, helvetica neue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px;">SOURCE: </span></span><a href="http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/146530-video-nba-champ-shumpert-pokemon-go-irving?utm_content=bufferbc412&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer">RAPPLER</a></div>
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LEBRON CANCELS. NBA ALLSTAR playing POKEMON GO Young Gilas Blocks Steph Curry LOOK: NBA champ Shumpert tries to catch Staryu with Irving.

The water pokemon, however, breaks free from Iman Shumpert's pokeball POKEMON GO. Iman Shumpert of the Cleveland Cavaliers, seen he...