Kevin Garnett is considered one of the more competitive and saltier players in the NBA. But he belied his reputation Sunday in a stirring tribute to Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders.

Garnett posted a photo of him sitting in what appears to be a parking space reserved for the coach, who died Sunday after his battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma, on his Facebook account that was noted by Complex.com.

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His message: "Forever in my heart...."

"Before Kevin Garnett became a great, he was a rookie trying to find his way with the Minnesota Timberwolves," Complex.com reported. This was in 1995, when Flip Saunders also made his head coaching debut. Garnett became Saunders' first star and later became one of his closest friends in the NBA."

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Garnett, who is beginning his 21st season in the NBA on Wednesday, played his first 12 seasons for Saunders with the Timberwolves. During his last nine seasons under Saunders, Garnett averaged more than 20 points and 10 rebounds.

The two reached the Western Conference Finals together in 2003-04, where the Timberwolves lost to the Lakers in six games. That was the last time Minnesota went to the playoffs.

Garnett left the Timberwolves before the 2007-08 season to join forces with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in Boston, where the trio brought a title to the Celtics in their first season together.

Garnett and the Celtics appeared in the NBA Finals in 2009-10 but lost to the Lakers in seven games. He moved to the Brooklyn Nets before the 2013-14 season and spent 1 ½ seasons there before an emotional homecoming with the Timberwolves.

Garnett was planning on joining Saunders in a bid to buy the Timberwolves after his playing days were over, according to the Pioneer Press.

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