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Enthusiasm All Around For KG, T-Wolves Fans

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It took less than three minutes for fans to gobble up 1,000 Timberwolves tickets, offered for free online by Kevin Garnett.

Since his return to the team last week, Target Center has been packed with enthusiastic sellout crowds.

As a thank you, Garnett is paying for fans like Howard Gleeman of Mendota Heights to attend Monday's game against the Clippers.

Gleeman, 69, logged onto his iPad around 9 a.m. when the tickets became available and couldn't believe his luck.

"And it said, 'Hi, Howard, this is your order confirmation for free tickets from KG,'" Gleeman said. "I've never really won anything."

He is a retired bus driver who once met Garnett at a trade show in the '90s, and even got an autographed basketball.

"After being away for such a long time, for him to come back is amazing," Gleeman said.

Garnett himself has been a bit 'amazed' at the level of affection from Minnesota fans since his return.

"I'm excited to be back here," he said, "and although I can't thank everybody, I can show some type of gesture and this is the way I chose to show it."

Gleeman decided to share one of his free tickets with his friend, Charlie Garber of Eagan.

"Charles has never been to a T-Wolves game," Gleeman said, "and I said 'What are you doing tonight?' And he said, 'Why?' And I said you're going to the game with me!"

As soon as the free tickets were taken, the Wolves started discounting other tickets for $21, to match Garnett's jersey number.

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