| Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS -- Kevin Garnett turned to the Internet to express his thoughts over the death of Malik Sealy, his Minnesota Timberwolves teammate and childhood idol who was killed in a traffic accident over the
weekend.
"(It's) messed up that my man's gone, but I know he's gone to a
better place and that's what's keepin me so strong," Garnett wrote
in response to fans' condolences on his Web page at
AthletesDirect.com.
"I think of the good times both on and off the court. I feel so
special because my dream of not only playing in the N.B.A. came
true, but to play with a guy who I grew up trying to be like, my
life is so complete, I only wish ya'll were me and that ya'll could
have been around him like I was blessed to be."
Garnett has not spoken to the media since Sealy was killed while
heading home from Garnett's 24th birthday celebration. Garnett's
personal manager, Michael Moore, said Garnett planned a news
conference this week, but no time was set as of Tuesday afternoon.
On Monday, the State Patrol arrested Souksangouane Phengsene,
43, of Minneapolis, who remained under guard at Hennepin County
Medical Center, where he has been hospitalized since the crash. Investigators said Phengsene was driving the wrong way on Highway 100 early Saturday morning when his pickup smashed into
Sealy's sport utility vehicle in the Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis
Park, killing Sealy.
Sealy, 30, helped the Timberwolves post their best season in franchise history this year. Garnett so idolized Sealy growing up that he chose to wear No. 21 in his honor.
"Back then they was the Redmen, and I just loved his style, you
know," Garnett wrote on the Web site. "I guess I was trying to
look for someone who I could sort of relate to, even though I
didn't know Malik at the time."
Garnett's site included an audio clip, titled "My Dogg's In a
Better Place," in which he thanked fans.
"I thank everybody for showing their love, not only for me but
for my dogg, you know, it means a lot," he said. "My dogg's in a
better place now and I feel better knowing that he's there. ...
Rest in peace, 'Lik." | |
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