Kevin Garnett played against Michael Jordan and LeBron James during his career. He never backed down and trash-talked both players, although Jordan fired back at him and made him pay for his words.
With LeBron, Garnett believes he and his Boston Celtics broke him and made him go to the Miami Heat in 2010. Still, he had a good relationship with the two legends. However, the perception was different for each of them.
Talking with Michael Pina of GQ, Garnett said that watching MJ was like watching a god. Every played that came in the 90s was in awe of Jordan, and Kevin wasn’t the exception. As for LeBron, Garnett saw the 2003 first overall pick as a friend and not as untouchable as Jordan.
As for two other legends Garnett crossed paths with, during a video call a few months later, I ask him about the difference between Michael Jordan and LeBron James. “It’s a different level of respect,” he replies. “Michael Jordan I looked at as fucking God. And I thought he was my version of what basketball looked like. And with LeBron, it was more like the little homie. Here’s the little homie growing up, and man, little homie is getting better than everybody! God damn!… I definitely talked some shit to him. I’ve definitely said some crazy shit to him. He’s definitely said some crazy shit back to me.”
Still, Garnett has big things to say about The King. He lauded the player for leading the league after Michael Jordan retired, doing a great job.
Garnett also praises LeBron for carrying the NBA as long as he has: “You’ve gotta have that in you to be able to have those shoulders to carry it. No man is perfect in this shit, and there ain’t no telltale book on how to do this shit. He’s done a great fucking job. I just felt like it was only right to give him that respect.”
Game recognizes game and Garnett knows he’s talking about the two greatest players of all time. What Jordan did and what LeBron has done during his career is truly remarkable. They took the NBA to the next level, set records, winning 10 championships combined as well as several MVP awards.
Every person who’s seen them play knows they are something special, and Garnett confirmed that with his words. Perhaps their personalities are very different, but the competitiveness and desire to win are very similar. At age 36, LeBron is still the face of the NBA, and nobody knows when that will change. His impact on the game is huge and we’re privileged to watch him play.
