The Minnesota Timberwolves owner, Glen Taylor, criticized his former star player, Kevin Garnett, saying that he gave up on the team last season.

Taylor, a big fan and friend of Garnett during his 12 years in the NBA, said that the All- Star forward and former MVP, took himself out of the lineup, as he missed the last five games last season, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported on Tuesday.

Garnett, who was traded to the Boston Celtics in the off- season, did not play the last five games last year due to a hamstring injury and witnessed how its team lost seven consecutive games, while improving its draft status and the Wolves were out of the playoff contention.

"It was more like, I'd say, K.G. tanked it," Taylor told the newspapers in a press conference after training, as the journalists started discussing the team’s strong game lately. The Minnesota Timberwolves have won four of their last six games and aim to carry on in the same pace in order to create a good momentum going into the offseason.

Taylor hinted that Garnett’s contract kept the team from surrounding him with talent, while adding, "I think the other guys still wanted to play, but it sure changed the team and didn't make us as (good)."

Meanwhile, Garnett was with his team in Houston, for a game against the Rockets, and did not make any comment on Taylor’s criticism. However, his agent, Andy Miller, said that the remarks were "ridiculous."