Former NBA All-Star Kevin Garnett does not believe players in generation could compete in the “bubble” like the stars of today. But, not for lack of skill.
Rather, Garnett hinted the telecasts would be practically unwatchable because of the amount of trash talking that would happen:
“To be honest y'all, we could never play in the bubble,” NBA legend Kevin Garnett said, via Gavin Evans of Complex. “You know how much I've been screaming during your shot ‘Get that shit out of here'? You could've heard me in here. Man they'd of had a bunch of censors. Couldn't have all these cameras, you know, players walking around naked, balls swinging all type thing. That's a different league. We were men, yo.”
Garnett also suggested the players in his generation prided themselves on ruthlessness and a determination to get an edge on the opponent, both mentally and tactically:
“It [would have] been barbaric,” Kevin Garnett said, via Evans. “We could have never been in a situation like this. It would've been chaotic (…) It would've been very difficult to put my timing and the guys that I played with and against into a bubble like this and have us not be like — we was high competitors. Everybody's competing. Everybody's damn near fighting every other play.”
Foul language was indeed a bit of a concern for the Board of Governors heading into the NBA restart, but — aside from some classic Carmelo Anthony “I got it” rebounds — things have gone fairly smoothly.
Then again, trash talking might not be the same as it once was, when Garnett, Michael Jordan and Gary Payton chewed out opponents in the NBA of yesteryear.
In any case, it is probably safe to say Garnett is glad a global pandemic never forced him to play in such an isolated yet highly-competitive environment.
Follow Us
Subscribe