Kevin Garnett has nothing but high praise for Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas, whom he has watched and grown particularly fond of.

“It's a point guard league. The point guard matchup is very difficult. … I love Isaiah's heart. Your point guard, a lot of times the identity of your team starts with your point guard. Isaiah, I love his heart and how he plays.”

Thomas' diminutive predecessor Allen Iverson even gave his stamp of approval on his style of play and called him a ‘real killer' on the court.

Thomas recalled one experience with Garnett when the former told the latter to stop setting illegal screens. Garnett didn't care for Thomas' request and referred to him as little midget until the day he retired.

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That didn't stop the mutual respect between the two players. In fact, Thomas likens himself to Garnett and gave his thoughts on the words of praise from the Celtic champion, per Chris Forsberg of ESPN.

“I'm the 5-9 Kevin Garnett. That's who I want to be. His praise means a lot. For a guy I looked up to, who I knew I would be nothing like (in size), but just the way he prepared himself, the way he didn't back down from anybody, and how he was so locked in. It was amazing to see that up close. For him to say that about me, that says a lot.”

“Even guys around here, like our strength coach Doo, he always says, ‘You would have loved KG and he would have loved you. He doesn't like a lot of guys, but he would have loved you.' And I wish I got to play with a guy like him.”

Thomas might be the smallest guy in the league, but he plays tall with the fire of Garnett.