Boston Celtics big man legend Kevin Garnett spoke with Shams Charania about his Hall of Fame induction in a one-on-one interview.
His class including Tim Duncan, Tamika Catchings, and of course Kobe Bryant — who tragically passed early this year in a helicopter crash — among others, Garnett has been as humbled as he’s ever been in a career built as much from his backed-up bluster as his play on the court.
Winning a championship with the Celtics was the crowning achievement on a long career spanning 21 seasons, 15 All-Star games, and countless other accolades.
But there will be an absence for the Boston legend nonetheless.
“The fact that we’re all being congratulated and honored, not having Kob'[Bryant] is going to affect everybody,” he began.
“He had such a pivotal part in the game itself, not just influence, but creation. I’d like to think that Kob’ created inadvertently an originality about himself. Timmy is the same thing. They both are unprecedented, not only athletes, but people. I feel more than honored to go in with these two, but Kobe not being there is going to be super emotional for everybody.”
“The fact that the three of us actually pushed the other two into whether it was awards, All-Stars, battles, rings — we all three pushed the lines,” he added.
Careful to not omit his Hall of Fame peer of the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, Garnett added, ” … shout out to Tamika Catchings too. I’m a huge fan of Catch; Catch has put that grind in, she’s put that work in, and it’s dope to see all of us right here.”
Kevin Garnett on @HoopHall induction with Kobe Bryant/Tim Duncan, Minnesota/Boston years, unleashing his truths about Glen Taylor, the most difficult challenge of his basketball career, and more.
On @TheAthleticNBA: https://t.co/w6JmN9cYFB
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 7, 2020
Charania and KG spoke at length on a number of issues spanning the gamut of the South Carolinian’s lengthy career. Topics ranged from his thoughts on entering the Hall alongside rivals like Bryant and Duncan, which he embraced.
“It’s all dope to be at this point … to battle, battle, battle and then finish it together.”
The Big Ticket rejected thinking on how some situations might have broken, though, such as his run with teammate Sam Cassell on the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2004, and presumably the injuries to himself and fellow Celtic Kendrick Perkins that might have cost Garnett titles in Boston.
That isn’t to say he wasn’t without some regrets, though.
“Teaming up with Paul [Pierce], I should’ve done that earlier. Who knows — I’m probably sitting here with another ring or two.”
Garnett also laid bare the continuing tensions between himself and Minnesota Owner Glen Taylor; “Glen and I had an understanding [about his ties to the team] before Flip died, and when Flip died, that understanding went with Flip. For that, I won’t forgive Glen.”
Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett unfiltered on Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor and much more — in @TheAthleticNBA: https://t.co/w6JmN9cYFB pic.twitter.com/wcRFcEqAAs
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 7, 2020
“I’ll always have a special place for the city of Minneapolis and the state of Minnesota in my heart. But I don’t do business with snakes. I don’t do business with snake [expletive]. I try not to do business with openly snakes or people who are snake-like.”
And of course, the exchange ended on his tenure in Boston, which the soon-to-be Hall-of-Famer still holds in the highest regard. “I’ll be forever appreciative to the city of Boston, the ownership and everything Celtic nation,” said Garnett.
“I’m honored,” he concluded.
[lawrence-related id=32089,30128,29695,29492]