Washington Wizards’ John Wall Salutes Kevin Garnett on His Retirement

Washington Wizards star John Wall saluted Kevin Garnett, who decided to retire on Friday after playing 21-seasons in the NBA.

Kobe Bryant was the first domino. Then came Tim Duncan. And on Friday, it was Kevin Garnett‘s turn to call it a career.

After 21-seasons in the league, the former Most Valuable Player has decided to hang up his sneakers for good, announcing his retirement from the game on September 25.

Three of arguably the most decorated players in the league from this past year will not suit up for the 2016-17 season.

Despite the Minnesota Timberwolves’ potential improvement, the 40-year-old didn’t want to return for another year. As the Wolves have developed and Garnett continues to decline, coming back just to be the “locker room leader” didn’t seem to make much sense for him.

As with all the other retirements, it’s another solid reminder that we’re all getting old. Three of the players we all grew up watching and idolizing are gone.

John Wall, who was just 5-years-old when Garnett got drafted in 1995 by the Wolves, posted a video, saluting Garnett on his successful career and retirement.

Here’s what Wall said in the video, just in case you cannot load it:

"I just want to give a big shoutout to the legend, the Big Ticket, KG, on announcing his retirement. Everybody knew the day was going to come sometime soon. It’s a heck of a time for three legends to go out in the same year. Everything he meant for the game of basketball: his passion, determination, his will. I had the chance to play against him for six years. He’s one of the best trash talkers I ever played against. But one thing is, you went out and gave it your all just like he did. He showed you respect. That’s something I got from him for being in the league for six years. He respected me as a young fella. That’s key to me. His numbers, everything he’s done, his leadership, all that, winning a championship, that’s never going unnoticed. Just know everybody is going to be missing you in the game, big fella. Peace out to the Big Ticket."

Garnett was on the tail end of his career when Wall first entered the league in 2010, but the veteran’s trash talking is clearly something the Washington Wizards’ point guard will never forget.Garnett, who’s the best player to ever put on a Wolves uniform, is infamous for getting under young players’ skins, especially early into their careers.

That sort of passion is unique to Garnett. We’ve seen other players show pride before games, but the intensity Garnett played with is unrivaled.

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The league is worse without the Big Ticket. To echo Wall , “peace out” KG.