The NBA rides on the principles of competition. Hence, trash talk isn’t new to the game. The greatest players such as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant were elite trash talkers. However, the way one responds depends entirely upon an individual. And Kevin Garnett was never one to back down from a challenge.

Even as a young player, the Boston Celtics legend shared the story of going up against Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan. But the battle turned a little heated as Pippen and he got very close to a fight.

Garnett was one of the meanest trash talkers in the NBA. The forward loved getting under the opposition’s skin and taking advantage from there. But he also knew how to respond right back. Notably, his ruthless back and forth even got him in a serious incident with Carmelo Anthony. But it seems that is how Garnett has been ever since a young player.

While talking to actor Adam Sandler, the Big Ticket spoke about his duel with Pippen in his young days. He explained how an unplanned scrimmage turned into a highly competitive atmosphere very quickly.

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Celtics legend Kevin Garnett was ready to take on anyone

As a young player, it is all about getting into the eyes of the best. However, Garnett took it a step further. Despite not being prepared, he checked into a scrimmage with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Not knowing what to expect, Pippen quickly gave him the veteran treatment.

He knocked down a long jump shot and talked the smack. Likewise, KG wasn’t going to stay silent. He came right back down with a shot and the two nearly got into a physical fight.

Garnett explained the scene saying: “I went to go say something, he beat on the glass, he said ‘Get the big fella in’. I said what. And I just came down for 21, maybe play some 32, get some shots up. you know get out of the house. I haven’t stretched, I am up here fogging up the glass. I ain’t stretched for nothing. And then he was like ‘Yeah you guard Scottie’. Then it just got real quick. Scottie called it like ‘I gotta work up the young one’. Shot it long.”

He continued, “He just started talking s**t right away and it clicked. I got to call right for it let me get that. Mike threw it, I took a couple of steps and I just remember launching that and hear boom. I was like ‘I don’t know what the f**k you think this is’. And we headbutt.”

This was only the first time Garnett faced off against MJ and Pippen. Over the years he went on to see them nine times. Surprisingly, the Celtics legend holds a winning record against Jordan. From there it was the start of the story for the Big Ticket.

He went on to win a league MVP, an NBA championship and solidified himself as one of the greatest forwards ever. To this day, Garnett is an idol to multiple basketball stars.

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His intensity and fearless nature allowed him to fully unlock his potential. Garnett received the fruits of his hard work in 2020 after being enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame. With all that he did for the game, KG deserved it in every way possible.

He goes down as one of the best forwards and trash talkers the league has come across. Do you think there will be another player like Garnett? Let us know in the comments below.