Former NBA player Mario Kasun recently made headlines with his comments on the ‘Jao Mile Podcast,’ where he accused Kevin Garnett of racism against white players. Kasun, who played in the NBA from 2004 to 2006, did not hold back in expressing his feelings about Garnett, a player he once idolized.
Mario Kasun: “Big Ticket. He was my idol when I grew up.”
“I came before the game and asked him, ‘KG, can you sign up my shoes.’ Because I wear Adidas, and he wore Adidas that season. I go in the game in his retro model of shoes, I like to play in retro shoes. And he told me ‘Kid, go away, take off those shoes, you don’t have my permit to wear my shoes.”
“I got that Adidas and I really liked them. White shoes, with thick soles. And I politely asked him to sign my shoe, but he just turned around and went away.”
“He was the biggest racist against white players in the NBA.”
Mile Ilic: “I heard this from many sources.”
Mario Kasun: “He talked s**t all the time. He and Gary Payton, insulting all the time during the game. Horrible. Gary Payton trash talks with fans who sit in row 15 during the game. And that guy, I dunk on his head.”
Mile Ilic: “F**k, I asked you to sign my shoes, you didn’t want and then…”
Mario Kasun: “ESPN and bye, ESPN and.”
Mile Ilic: “They told me that he paid to remove the video?”
Mario Kasun: “Yeah, that what’s they said. My friend from NBA told me that Kevin Garnett called and asked YouTube and NBA to remove the video. You don’t have any poster on him except Pau Gasol who posterized him.”
Mile Ilic: “Those guys have huge complexes.”
(Starts from 1:34:50, this conversation is translated to English)
Kasun recounted an incident where he approached Garnett before a game to ask him to sign his shoes. Kasun was wearing Adidas shoes, the same brand Garnett endorsed at the time, and hoped to get an autograph from his childhood hero.
However, Garnett allegedly dismissed him rudely, telling Kasun to take off the shoes because he didn’t have permission to wear them. Kasun expressed his disappointment and frustration, noting that Garnett’s reaction was not just dismissive but also emblematic of a deeper issue.
“He was the biggest racist against white players in the NBA,” Kasun stated bluntly. He went on to describe Garnett’s behavior during games, mentioning that Garnett and Gary Payton were notorious for their constant trash-talking. According to Kasun, Garnett’s insults were particularly directed at white players, creating a hostile environment on the court.
Kasun also shared a personal triumph over Garnett, recalling a moment when he dunked on Garnett during a game. He mentioned that this moment was captured on video but claimed that Garnett had it removed from YouTube and NBA archives, allegedly paying to erase the footage. This, Kasun suggested, was part of Garnett’s effort to control his public image and avoid any embarrassment.
Mile Ilic, the podcast host, corroborated Kasun’s claims by saying he had heard similar stories about Garnett from other sources. The discussion painted a picture of Garnett as a player with significant insecurities and a tendency to bully others, particularly targeting white players.
Kasun’s comments have sparked a significant reaction, with some fans and former players debating the validity of his claims. While Garnett is celebrated for his intense playing style and competitive spirit, Kasun’s accusations add a controversial layer to his legacy.
The podcast episode has fueled discussions about racism in sports, the power dynamics within the NBA, and the often unseen struggles of players trying to navigate these complex environments.
The conversation on the ‘Jao Mile Podcast’ has highlighted the need for a deeper examination of the culture within professional sports and the treatment of players based on race. Whether Kevin Garnett or his representatives will respond to these accusations remains to be seen, but Kasun’s bold statements have certainly brought an important issue to the forefront.
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