Kevin Garnett joins LA Clippers as consultant

PLAYA VISTA, Calif. -- Kevin Garnett has officially signed on as a consultant this week with the LA Clippers. Garnett will occasionally help out at practices but will not be on the bench at games or travel with the Clippers, a team representative said.

Garnett was with the team in Irvine during training camp, working out with the Clippers' big men before the season.

"He's stayed in touch," Clippers assistant coach Mike Woodson said. "He's had some communication, I'm sure, with some of the players throughout the course of the season since camp.

"He's hired in here as a consultant. So I'm sure he'll be in and out when it presents itself for him to work with our guys. And I think when he's here, it's important for our bigs to take advantage of him being out here on the floor. Because he brings so much to the table, has so much to offer for the game of basketball, it's not even funny."

Garnett reconnected with then-Boston teammates Paul Pierce and Brandon Bass before working with DeAndre Jordan prior to Clippers practice Tuesday.

"Amazing. Amazing. Amazing," Jordan said about Garnett's new role with the Clippers. "Besides him cussing me out, we played against each other. He's a great spirit and a great basketball mind, a Hall of Fame guy. Someone I looked up to coming up and even playing against. So any pointers he can give me, or tips, it's great. I just want to be a student when he's here.

"He's one of the main reasons why I talk so much, talk so loud when I'm out there. Because when I'm watching film of him or playing against him, the presence that he has -- on both ends of the floor -- is something that's contagious. And you want take things from that from people like that, especially if that's already in their personality."

Garnett was a 15-time All-Star and league MVP in 2004 before retiring this past offseason. He won the 2007-08 championship with the Celtics along with Pierce under current Clippers coach Doc Rivers.

"I mean, you gotta take experience in terms of what KG's done," Woodson said. "I'm happy he's a part of our family now. He's always been a part of Doc's family. And I just think as we move forward, he's going to help DJ a lot. I mean, all of our players. I mean, KG is going to be a Hall of Famer one day. And I think all the experience he's put out on the basketball floor, if these guys are willing to listen and learn, they will benefit in the long run."