Kevin Garnett Shows His Class by Hugging Kevin McHale

After an emotional day for the country and an emotional few weeks for former Boston Celtics star and current Rockets coach Kevin McHale, his former player, Kevin Garnett, gave him perhaps what he needed most: a hug. 

It came at the end of the Celtics' 101-89 loss to the Houston Rockets. The loss seemed inconsequential compared to the recent events and the raw emotion involved in the embrace between McHale and Garnett. 

KG wrapped up his former mentor and held him closely as McHale shed some tears. It was hard not to choke back tears just watching the two of them.

In doing this, Garnett silenced all those who claimed he lacked class for giving Ray Allen the cold shoulder during the season opener against the Heat. KG doesn't lack class, he just knows what's important. 

A phony show of goodwill between the two former friends is meaningless, but an embrace with someone close to you who has just lost a loved one is as meaningful and necessary as it gets. 

There is nothing, and I mean nothing, worse than losing a loved one. I wish there was anything that I could type that would make the horrific tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut any better or alleviate the pain that Kevin McHale feels over the recent passing of his daughter, Sasha McHale. 

Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of power. Those affected by tragedy don't need typed words. Sometimes, all we need after something awful is a hug or warm embrace from someone close to our hearts. 

Garnett recognized this and held McHale close to him. I don't know what Garnett said to his former GM, but he didn't need to say anything. His actions spoke much louder than his words ever could.

In hugging him, he essentially said, "I love you and I'm here for you." Perhaps we should all follow Garnett's lead on this one. Hold your loved ones tight and remind them that you love them and are here for them at all times.