Thursday, May 17th, 2012 at 2:25 pm  |  192 responses

Tim Duncan Reportedly ‘Hates’ Kevin Garnett


As two of the greatest power forwards not only of their generation, but of all time, the careers of Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan will always be linked. Just don’t expect the two legends to become buddies anytime soon (or ever), according to a terrific profile of Duncan in SI this week: “In fact, Duncan hates Kevin Garnett. Hates him the way liberals hate Sean Hannity. This information comes from very reliable sources, who talk about how KG has made a career of trying to punk Duncan, baiting him and slapping him and whispering really weird smack into his ear. They talk about how funny this is, because the worst thing you can do as an opponent is piss off Duncan. Then, as Malik Rose says, ‘he f—— destroys you.’ Duncan’s lifetime numbers versus Garnett’s teams, by the way: 19.4 points per game, 11.6 boards and a 44-17 record, including the postseason. Duncan is diplomatic about the topic. Asked if perhaps all those years battling Garnett have softened his feelings for the man, led to a Magic-Larry type of kinship, Duncan leans back on the couch in his hotel room and grins. There is a pause. A longer pause. Finally he says, ‘Define kinship.’”

  • Add a Comment
  • Share
  • RSS

Tags: , , ,

← Older Comments
Newer Comments →
  • ti-sizzle

    People only assume he’s a classy act because they only hear a fraction of what he says. Helluva ball player, major douche…kinda like the dirty one in Lakeshow’s mouth.

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    Garnett is better.
    In many ways.
    The only variable that seperates the two careers is the coaching each received throughout their respective careers.
    I mean, Flip Saunders.
    Greg Popovich. Popovich is a top 20 coach of all time, in my opinion.

  • ti-sizzle

    THAT’S NOT THE REAL TI-SIZZLE. I KNOW IT’S JUST A NAME AND IT’S the SITE’S PROBLEM, BUT THAT’S WACK, PLEASE USE ANOTHER NAME

  • ti-sizzle

    Ok. I will. But only because you were very polite.

  • Jerome

    Nobody is “classy” regarding trash talk. KG said that CV is “cancerous” to the L.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVM11tMaMWg LakeShow

    I do have dirty douche bags in my mouth from occasion to occasion.

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    @Allenp:
    spurstalk.com

  • Kabraham15

    dudes like kg hide behind the league and the safety net of fines and suspensions. if someone came up to me, game or no game, and told me happy mothers day knowing that my mother had just died, thats not just a basketball problem, thats a real life problem. just goes to show alot of the dudes in the L are soft. not gilbert tho lol

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Ok so it isn’t letting me comment.
    .
    The Garnett quote is from 1999, the lockout season caused them to meet on Mother’s Day. Supposedly he said it to Duncan on the FT – Line. And the majority of quotes I have found show him saying, “happy mother’s day…mother f*cker” soooo it’s even worse than I thought.
    .
    I did find this quote from Artest
    “I am actively looking for a reliable source Allen. But I have read that quote quite a few times over the years. I know it’s from 2002. But during my search I found this from Ron Artest, which I am sure he is referring to 1999.
    .
    “I remember one time Kevin Garnett was mushing him, and shoving him in the face; and Tim Duncan didn’t do anything, he didn’t react. He just kicked Kevin Garnett’s ***, and won the **** championship. You know what I’m sayin’? That’s gangsta. Everybody can show emotion, dunk on somebody, scream and be real c*cky; but Tim Duncan is a … he’s a pimp.”

  • Mike Mihalow

    Everyone hates Garnett. For Tim Duncan to hate you, you have to be pretty $h!tty.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    ok so it was the word c*cky. those other starred out words are ass and damn.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    lol that first part to Allen is from a comment I tried to post a while ago. I am frustrated with Slam right now.

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    Is Sizzle Tarzan Cooper?
    Watch it be Tarzan…

  • ripslam

    Team records? For real? Duncan’s championship Spurs teams beat KG’s Wolves featuring Sam Cassell? That’s a shocker.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Every instance I’ve found of it has been on a forum and a random person referencing it. I can’t find the original source.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Well 1999 was before sports stories were really published heavily on the internet.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrfLiFibJG4 nbk

    Click my name. KG slaps Tim Duncan in the back of the head. For no apparent reason.

  • http://nba.com GP23

    Just been trying to find it on youtube, but it isn’t anywhere to be found.. ah well? I guess we’ll never know if it was true.

  • Heals

    Do you Ap! FoxNews, CNN, ESPN take note this is called doing research…

  • kevin

    garnett is just jealous of duncan cause duncan is way better than garnett

  • http://idunkonthem.blogspot.com albie1kenobi

    KG’s one of my favorite player, but man, if he really said that heartless sh!t regarding to mom, that’s really fcuked up.

    and that Artest quote on Duncan is tremendous. thanks NBK.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcGk-TjlHwc&feature=endscreen&NR=1 LakeShow

    Click my name for a video of John Stockton being a little punk. So fun to watch when they let fouls go if they weren’t near the ball. Too much fun, but i’m glad they don’t allow this style play anymore.

  • shutup

    @the Philosopher, i have to disagree, the reason pop and Duncan work as well as they have is personalities. KG to me just doesnt fit in a Pop system, as great of a player as he is and as great of a coach that pop is, not saying they wouldnt have success, just saying with a statement that its just a matter of coaching is a disservice to the greatness that is Tim Duncan. As for one aspect of the game Tim Duncan is head and shoulders above KG in basketball IQ and he’s a true pf in the sense that his game is based inside out. TD is a better leader also.

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    @shutup:
    Interesting points.
    But we have to remember, Popovich has had success with many different personalities. Stephen Jackson.
    As for Saunders, I mean, when a guy like Andray Blatche discredits you on live t.v., you know…
    And, Blatche is not the first, or only player to have professional/personal issues with Saunders’ style.
    Truthfully, Garnett never had a coach until he teamed with Glenn.
    I agree with you, Tim Duncan is indeed the better leader.

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    BUT…
    Between Duncan and Garnett, Garnett has so many other variables working in his favor.
    Athleticism.
    Ball gandling. Passing. The ability to guard more positions more effectively. More of a versitile scorer. More range and consistency on the jump shot.
    Also, as we know, there were times that Garnett was running the point. During Playoff competition.

  • shutup

    but his versatility could be his biggest problem, like many tweeners the jack of all trades but the king of none. Duncan did what he did within himself, plus 4 years of college as opposed to jumping in right out of HS. Duncan has better footwork and I have to disagree I think Duncan is the better passer of the two, also TD defends bigs better than Garnett, shown when he was forced to guard Shaq against the Lakers, I also think TD is the better shot blocker out the two (i didn’t check the stats on that) but I know TD is the better help defender.

  • shutup

    KG blocks 1908 TD 2469 and KG has been in the league 2 more years than Duncan

  • http://Www.achtamsterdam.nl Phil

    I know stockton was a dirty player, but that was not the video to proof it lakeshow. He almost has his face taken off, that would liss me of too hahaha

  • shutup

    Assist numbers are in favor of KG though TD 3428 and KG 5065 although their career aspg are slightly closer TD 3.1 and KG 4.0. As for blocks per game TD is 2.2 to KG’s 1.5. sorry if I got a little stat crazy.

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    Garnett almost went to college. He couldn’t garner the score(s).
    Also, it is arguable that Tim Duncan has played the majority of his career with two potential Hall of Fame players. He has definitely played with one surefire HOF player.
    Made things a little easier on him, perhaps.
    So, a Hall of Fame coach, and three HOF players during his prime.
    Garnett has never had those luxuries. Until recently, of course.
    Duncan may guard “bigs” more prolifically.
    Garnett is more prolific guarding smaller players. As well as being more than adequate guarding bigger players. Especially in these latter stages of Garnett’s career.
    At the end of the day, I think it all boils down to one’s preference.
    But, I strongly believe that the coaching aspect is the major game changer between the two.
    Obviously, I can be wrong…

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    And don’t worry about going “stat crazy.”
    I love stats more than I’ve ever expressed up here.

  • shutup

    KG and Marbury imo were a more potent duo than Duncan Parker. But TD’s humbleness ensures that winning was first and foremost. Duncan has had some of the greatest scouts and personnel evaluators the league has ever seen though. That is why I questioned if KG would have fit, there are similarities in Duncan, Robinson, Avery Johnson, Danny Ferry, Finely, Parker the list goes on the two real deviations I can think of is Stephen Jackson and Rodman. I can see your point as a matter of opinion, and coaching is really big but the player ultimately has to implement it on the court. BTW thank you for the civil debate, we all know haow many conversations can go sour faster than a gallon of milk left in the car on a Vegas summer day.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVM11tMaMWg LakeShow

    I shoulda known Philo was a stat guy. King this, King that… ;)
    Phil, I know that’s not the video that proves it, it was just a funny one that Youtube led me to. I just always love watching those old videos. Nothing against Stock. He just was known to rub some elbows from time to time.

  • ClydeSays

    TD is the greatest PF of all time, but he had a better coach, teammates and most importantly a good GM. KG had a decent coach in Flip, but he was limited. McHale bungled trades, picks and free agents for most of KG’s career. TD was probably a better teammate, but he’s mostly robot. KG is very definitely human.

  • http://Slamonline.com nbk

    I’m with shutup in that Duncan was just a better player and would’ve been, regardless. With the way Garnett is built athletically, and with his strengths on the court he would have had to become extremely efficient. Or he would have had to develop a Bill Russel type defensive ability where he completely changed games to have a better career than Duncan. I don’t think any coaching staff could have helped him develop that.

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    @shutup:
    I wholly agree with you on many points.
    The thing that is a sticking point to me is, Popovich has this rare ability to convince people to buy into his “thing”. Many of those players mentioned who were coached by Popovich had a wide range of personality traits.
    Ferry had a reputation. Parker has been known to love the cameras, etc. Stephen Jackson, again. Even Richard Jefferson.
    Popovich is a master at putting all of those things together, and getting guys to “get over themselves”, as he loves to say.
    I am also appreciative of the civil conversation.
    @LakeShow:
    Yeah, you know how it is… lol
    LONG… LIVE… THE KING!

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    @nbk:
    Respect.

  • http://Slamonline.com nbk

    Appreciate it Philo. And that’s not me saying if Garnett played on the Spurs his career wouldn’t have been drastically more successfull. I just don’t see him winning 4 championships with those Spurs in that Era. Probably closer to two. So career wise it wouldn’t be as clear at all.

  • tavoris

    KG is far & away a more versatile player.

    However, Duncan has been far & away a more dominant player. Duncan has commanded double teams in the post ever since he stepped on the NBA court. He’s never led the league in blocks, but the Spurs spent the 13 straight seasons as a dominant defensive team.

    He has 4 titles over 15 years while playing with ONE guaranteed HOF player. Heck, their 1st title was won with Elliott and Robinson being the only teammates that were legit NBA starters. Avery Johnson? Vinnie Del Negro?

    Pop is a phenomenal coach, but even the best coaches can’t win without quality players. Duncan’s career is a strong a case as any that you don’t need 3 superstars to win.

  • MikeC.

    Before KG gets roasted for not winning rings in his prime, Google “Joe Smith debacle.” I bet it’s hard to build a championship roster while losing 4 consecutive 1st round picks.

  • shutup

    Last point I think it took KG a good portion of his career to develop the type of humbleness that would have let him excel in Pop’s system, something that Duncan’s personality type, the quiet superstar that he is was a key attribute of their success, part of the reason Pop was a successful in getting guys to buy in is that his two superstars Robinson than Duncan were respectful and let themselves be held accountable, as opposed to say a Carmelo type cancer in the locker room or even early KG and Marbury, Kobe and Shaq type of problems.

  • JMagicFan

    That must be the real Scalabrine on Slam. LMAO.

  • http://Slamonline.com nbk

    KG was never a problem in the locker room. And his work ethic is and has always been on another level. It’s his attitude during games that has been the problem.

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    @tavoris:
    Respect.

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    Is Stephen Jackson more humble than Kevin Garnett?
    Guns ablaze, and all?
    Brawl at the Palace, and all?

  • Brad09

    During my life in watching basketball I dont think ive ran into a man I had less respect for than kevin garnett. Seen the interviews, heard the story. The man is downright rude, has few concerns for anything outside of himself. Continually the cheapest player in all of basketball. Two seperate occasions, he has hit people in the balls. Thinks the word intensity means putting on idiot facing and yelling. Never could out play any of those PF in the west DUNCAN, MALONE, WEBBER or DIRK he continually was owned with the T wolves. Strictly statistical player, if i ever have a son I only hope and pray he dosent turn out to be anything like kevin garnett.

  • Brad09

    btw mike c no one cares, minnesota is retarded they will continue to be. Garnett chose to play there. Great players figure it out and garnett is simply not a great player. I dont even think he was a top 3 player on the boston team he won with

  • Trilla

    I personally love those loud trash talking athletes such as Floyd Mayweather, Rasheed Wallace etc. I love KG too but he can just take it too far at times. I love players such as Tim Duncan too #FearTheQuietGuys.

  • MikeC.

    @Brad – the one season KG had talent on his Wolves team, he won MVP and went to the conference finals. The next time he had talent around him, he won a championship. I’m not saying the Wolves weren’t “retarded”, I’m saying that just dragging those teams into the playoffs proves KG’s worth.
    When Wally Sexyback is the second best player, you’re in trouble.

  • http://slamonline.com The Philosopher

    In conclusion, The things Kevin Garnett can do with the ball, for his size, has never been seen before in the History of the NBA.
    A 7 footer with point guard tendencies, who can man the post in every way. And is more than adequate in doing so.
    Not to take anything away from Duncan. I would concede he is the best power foward of all time. Depending on my mood at the time of deciding.
    But, we’ve seen Duncan before. In Kevin McHale. In Brad Daugherty, and even in Lew Alcindor.
    Garnett?
    We’ve only seen one like him. He is the player that Ralph Sampson was supposed to become.
    A very rare talent who, before him, there has never been anything like that. A true innovator to the Game.
    Once in a generation talent.

← Older Comments
Newer Comments →
Advertisement