Charles Barkley dished out some noteworthy praise for soon-to-be Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett and Russell Westbrook, two players Chuck is very familiar with thanks to his time in the NBA and covering it.
The popular TNT analyst was quick to point out these two players' intensity during an appearance on ESPN's “Get Up” on Monday:
“I used to hate that dude,” said Barkley of Garnett. “Because you play him in like Game 26 of the season, you play in Game 52, Game 82, he's playing like they're all Game 7 (of a playoff series). I'm like, ‘Young fella, calm down. We got 82 of these games to go.'
“I said this earlier: I've been in the NBA close to 40 years. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Garnett play harder than any two players I've ever seen in the NBA.”
"Russell Westbrook and Kevin Garnett play harder than any two players I've ever seen in the NBA."
—Charles Barkley pic.twitter.com/wk6CQKDlZ5
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) April 6, 2020
Garnett and Westbrook definitely have a different dog about them than most others. Their level of intensity is in another tier, perhaps a maniacal one, but one that has made them legends of the game in their own right.
The Big Ticket was a lanky kid out of Chicago with plenty of uncertainty before he was drafted with the fifth pick in the 1995 NBA Draft, but it soon became evident just how much his potential was elevated by his drive and intent.
Westbrook and Garnett don't believe in taking possessions off, and that never-ending engine is what makes them such remarkable players.
Garnett surely won Barkley's respect on the court, while Westbrook earned the nod of approval through the many years Chuck has watched him play.
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