NBA players congratulate Kevin Garnett on storied career

Kevin Garnett, a 15-time All-Star in his 21-year NBA career, said farewell to the league on Friday, which prompted fellow NBA players to react via social media.

Here are some examples:

I mean where do I start. First watching you play at the Solon Cage Classic in Ohio with Team Michigan when u were in HS, I believe I was 10 years old and I was like dang this dude nice!! Then a lil time passed and u were drafted straight out of HS to the pros so I felt like man whoever get him is a lucky team. And I surely wasn't wrong! The KID nickname was fly, swaged out and made a 10 year old kid from Akron believe he could run with the big boys himself! Fast forward 8 years later that kid you inspired entered the draft fresh out of HS as well. Thank you!! Competing vs you in whatever uniform u were in at the time meant the world to me because of two distinctive trait u had. Passion and commitment to just compete every single possession. U showed me what it took and we never played on the same team(All-Star games is different). Thank you! Congratulations to The Big Ticket on a helluva career! HOF is your next stop to cap it all off, the cherry on top!! 1 Love

A photo posted by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Sep 23, 2016 at 6:05pm PDT

The first 3 times I ever played against you we both were called for double techs...I'll never forget what you said to me my rookie year during the jump ball to start the game in OKC(I was an awe, but you changed that real quick lol)...I've never hated playing against someone so much but also wanted them to be my teammate as much as you! Hate that we never got that chance but I appreciate you more than you'll ever know as a competitor and I wish you and the the fam the best in what's next in store in life!!! #ThankYou #BigTicket

A photo posted by Chris Paul (@cp3) on Sep 23, 2016 at 7:18pm PDT

KG. My favorite player ever. Thank you for inspiring me. Im going to miss all the scraps and fights we had on the court. But I will never forget the talk we had after you head butted me lol. But thank you for the memories. My two favorite KG moments of All-Time are when you caught the one handed rebound and dunked it back in and pointed to the sky. The other moment is watching you win the title and say "Anything Is Possible". My favorite commercial is when u was running around the world putting everybody on your back. There will never be another Big Ticket. Again KG THANK YOU. RIGHT 💯💯

A photo posted by Dwight Howard (@dwighthoward) on Sep 23, 2016 at 6:04pm PDT

Thank you for everything my brother. You know how much I'm gonna miss playing with you and just simply having you around. Congrats on having one of the greatest careers the game has ever seen. We talked. I know what I must do. I'll take it from here.

A photo posted by Karl-Anthony Towns (@karltowns) on Sep 23, 2016 at 7:31pm PDT

KG! I was given the opportunity to play with the realist OG in the league. Your words of wisdom will forever remain with me throughout my career. Shoutout to a real one! LEGEND.

A photo posted by Andrew Wiggins (@22wiggins) on Sep 23, 2016 at 7:51pm PDT

You most likely blocked this shot, and then violently yelled at me after. You were the first player I was ever star struck to play against, thank you for everything! Congrats on a hell of a career KG!

A photo posted by ChandlerParsons (@chandlerparsons) on Sep 23, 2016 at 3:34pm PDT

I want to congratulate my brother on 21 seasons. He changed the game. Broke records. Won. Sacrificed. Gave his blood, sweat, and tears. Thank you for teaching me. Thank you for what you've done and will continue to do for the game. Thank you for everything. Legend. G.O.A.T. My Brother.

A photo posted by Rajon Rondo (@rajonrondo) on Sep 23, 2016 at 7:07pm PDT

To one of the best to ever play the game. Salute to KG! pic.twitter.com/Dt9ctMmIex

— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) September 24, 2016

Amazing career for KG! Ultra talented and one of the most intense players I've ever seen. Loved his passion for defense. He was a beast...

— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) September 23, 2016

Tim Duncan, Kobe, KG... All gone. Glad I got to compete against HOFers that I looked at like GODs as a kid... Wow

— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) September 24, 2016

This time, we salute you. #ThankYouKG pic.twitter.com/myByzsHyms

— Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) September 24, 2016

#ThankYouKG pic.twitter.com/IScpTHA8kb

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) September 23, 2016

They grew together and are going out together #ThankYouKG pic.twitter.com/UbPGmg4uv0

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) September 23, 2016

🎟🎟🎟 #ThankYouKG pic.twitter.com/2bfknfLI7n

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) September 24, 2016

Man..TD KG & Kobe all retired the same yr. Crazy to think I grew up watchin them as a kid & got 2 play against each of them last yr #Legends

— Khris Middleton (@Khris22m) September 23, 2016

Salute to KG! 21 season as a fierce competitor. Congrats on a great career! pic.twitter.com/LMy8VA2BTv

— Mike Conley (@mconley11) September 23, 2016

Thank you KG !!! Hands down one of the best to ever play this game. I learned what hard work... https://t.co/jBhjRBjk79

— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) September 23, 2016

Thank you big ticket for everything you've done for the game. Also for reminding me @KarlTowns is the only ROTY multiple times..😂😂. #Legend pic.twitter.com/6pmtUh368J

— Devin Booker (@DevinBook) September 24, 2016

Always had my back regardless if you was in green or not. Thank you for everything you did.#5 #21 you will be missed pic.twitter.com/G1IB3BMpaw

— Jared Sullinger (@Jared_Sully0) September 23, 2016

Every player that ever played basketball would love the Big ticket as a teammate... Dude is really one of a kind!!

— Jordan Crawford (@jcraw55) September 23, 2016

KG, Kobe and Timmy all gone at the same time. An end to a great era. You guys will be missed! #Legends

— Nik Stauskas (@NStauskas11) September 23, 2016

Kobe, Duncan and now KG.3 Legends that i grew up idolizing and competed against for 7 seasons in the league. #HOF #NBAlegends

— Jonas Jerebko (@JonasJerebko) September 23, 2016

If you ever wanna know how hard or intense you're supposed to play, watch KG highlights. #ThanksKG

— Jerian Grant (@JerianGrant) September 23, 2016

Congrats to the big ticket on a dope career. 🙏🏾🙏🏾

— Dorell Wright (@DWRIGHTWAY1) September 23, 2016

Not KG too.. This year has been too much 😞

— Larry Nance Jr (@Larrydn22) September 23, 2016