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Kevin Garnett Reminisces Rivalry With Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan Ahead of Hall of Fame Ceremony

Published 05/14/2021, 12:26 PM EDT

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The 2020 Hall of Class has some of the biggest names. From probably the greatest power forward of all time in Tim Duncan, to Timberwolves legend Kevin Garnett, the 2020 class has it all. But the biggest of them all is Lakers’ legend Kobe Bryant.

Bryant, who had played for 20 years in the NBA, had one of the most successful careers the league had ever seen. But unfortunately, the basketball community suffered one of its most tragic losses when Kobe and his daughter Gigi Bryant passed away in a helicopter crash.

Kevin Garnett speaks about missing Kobe Bryant from the Hall of Fame ceremony

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Garnett is arguably one of the most lethal forwards of all-time. Playing for the Celtics, Garnett understandably shared a rivalry with Kobe and his Lakers.

Despite their on-field rivalry, KD and Mamba shared a special bond with each other. In a recent interview with the Athletic’s Shams Charania, KG opened up about missing his dear friend in the Hall of Fame ceremony.

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“The fact that we’re all being congratulated and honored, not having to having Kobe is gonna affect everybody. He had such a pivotal part in the game itself, not just influence, but creation. I’d like to think that Kob’ created inadvertently an originality about himself.”

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He added, “Timmy is the same thing. They both are unprecedented, not only athletes, but people. I feel more than honored to go in with these two, but Kobe not being there is going to be super emotional for everybody.”

Garnett also opened up about why he feels honored to be inducted with Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant.

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“The fact that the three of us actually pushed the other two into whether it was awards, All-Stars, battles, rings — we all three pushed the lines,”

Be it Duncan’s calm demeanor and his ability to lead the team, or KG’s insane intensity or Kobe’s incredible two-way skills, the three superstars certainly impacted the game in their unique way. While the Hall of Fame ceremony takes place tomorrow, a massive presence like Bryant will surely be missed in the ceremony.

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Written by:

Aditya Mohapatra

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Aditya Mohapatra is a sports enthusiast who primarily covers the NBA for EssentiallySports. Having graduated in Mass Communication, he has prior experience in writing for ABP News, and has been writing for EssentiallySports since November 2020. This die-hard Los Angeles Lakers fan feels that LeBron James is the best thing to have ever happened to the NBA, and will hold a healthy debate with anyone suggesting otherwise.
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