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Kevin Garnett plays less than 15 minutes a night for the Minnesota Timberwolves these days.

The future Hall of Famer still makes token starts. But mostly, he sets a few screens, grabs a few rebounds and makes a few baskets. His real value is mentorship. He — and Tayshaun Prince — are the elders teaching Andrew Wiggings, Zach Lavine and Karl-Anthony Towns how to be a professional.

If only the Philadelphia 76ers had such veteran leadership on their roster, they may have avoided the Thanksgiving day embarrassment they suffered at the hands of TMZ. On Thursday morning, video surfaced of prized rookie center Jahlil Okafor arguing with and taking a swing at a heckler, who reportedly had the temerity to tell him that his team wasn't very good.

Besides the fact the heckler wasn't inaccurate in his assessment — Philly has yet to win a game — Okafor did himself the ultimate disservice of engaging in an argument, a shoving match and finally allowing himself to come to blows with someone whose opinion of him and his team ultimately doesn't matter.

The No. 3 pick of the past NBA Draft, Okafor has exposed himself to trouble here. There's a chance he was intoxicated, which of course is a no-no because he's only 19. And above all, you can't be fighting with fans. So even assuming Okafor escapes charges — Boston police said on Friday they have yet to launch an official investigation — he's opened himself to a possible suspension from the NBA.

Of greater importance is how this brings into question the Sixers' rebuilding plan. No doubt, Okafor, who won a national championship in his one year at Duke, is frustrated. The Sixers (0-17 going into Saturday night) are historically bad. They have all but been intentionally tanking for three seasons, and it looks like their wrong-way peak is at hand.

The worst record in NBA history over a full 82 game season is 9-73 by the same Philly franchise in 1973. At this point, it would be a surprise if this Sixers squad doesn't surpass that. This team has two players who belong in an NBA playing rotation — Okafor and Nerlens Noel. The rest of the roster is filled with guys who have no business being in the league, or guys who should be years away from contributing at this level.

Yes, the Sixers have hope. There is a good chance that this upcoming NBA Draft will yield two top-five picks. But unlike what is happening in Minnesota, there aren't any veterans to help pave the way for the young guys.

Even last year when Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey decided to go with his youth movement, he traded for Steve Novak and brought in Trevor Booker, both of whom rubbed off on the team as positive locker room guys. Even the Los Angeles Lakers this season have surrounded DeAngelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson with vets like Kobe Bryant and Brandon Bass.

When you go young, you have to develop that youth on the floor. But you have to put that youth in position to be successful off the floor as well. That isn't happening in Philly. There isn't a teammate Okafor feels he has to answer to.

The TMZ video likely won't be detrimental to Okafor's career. By all accounts, he's a good kid who's made a mistake. But having to answer to an embarrassing video like this, barely a month into his rookie season should hopefully serve as a wakeup call to develop a thicker skin, stay out of street brawls and most importantly focus on his craft — on and off the floor.

twitter: @tjonessltrib Frustration in Milwaukee

Milwaukee Bucks coach Jason Kidd was suspended a game for slapping the ball out of the hands of an official who ejected him from Wednesday night's loss to the Sacramento Kings. Kidd's ejection highlights the frustration of a team that was supposed to be one of the top clubs in the Eastern Conference. Instead, the Bucks are 6-9, struggling defensively and trying to figure out how to utilize Greg Monroe.

Remember this guy?

The boos from New York Knicks fans were easy to hear when the franchise made Kristaps Porzingis the No. 4 pick of the NBA Draft in June. Those boos have ceased — emphatically. Porzingis is one of the best rookies in the league, and is averaging 13 points and nine rebounds per game. At this point, he belongs in the conversation over who is the NBA's top rookie.

Under pressure

Is the Warriors' historic early success getting to the Cleveland Cavaliers? Last week, after a loss, LeBron James said the Golden State Warriors are playing with more hunger than his team. Cleveland lost to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, after which the Cavs held a players-only meeting. The Cavaliers have the best record in the Eastern Conference and are doing it without the injured trio of Kyrie Irving, Timofey Mozgov and Iman Shumpert. So the meeting may have been premature. The Cavs must realize the regular season is a marathon, and not a sprint.

Player of the week

Paul George led the Indiana Pacers to a 3-0 record last week and is averaging 26 points, eight rebounds and four assists per game. George is back to being one of the best players in the league.

Team of the week

The Oklahoma City Thunder have won three straight, catapulting themselves into the West's upper echelon. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are leading a deep team that should be among the best once the playoffs roll around.

Game of the week

The San Antonio Spurs visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday in a showdown between two of the NBA's best defensive teams. The Grizzlies have won six of their past eight games. The Spurs are simply the Spurs. Should be a good one.