When drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1995, Kevin Garnett became the first player to enter the NBA from high school in over 20 years. The youngest player to be drafted at the time, KG was only 19 when he entered the league. Paving the pathway for players such as Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, the feat normalized the transition from high school to the NBA.
Arguably the best two-way player of all time, Garnett was always destined for greatness. With the NBA today being modeled around the likeness of his image and skillset, it’s more common to find two-way players in today’s game. Known for his passion, the ex-Timberwolves star was quite intense during his on-court battles. Putting that intensity into perspective, Garnett was left shocked by Arnold Schwarzenegger. But his desire pushed him to endorse the seven-time Mr. Olympia’s controversial statements.
Kevin Garnett’s endorsement of Arnold’s Schwarzenegger statements
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During a recent interview with GQ Sports, Kevin Garnett sat with the magazine and discussed his Hall of Fame career. Discussing various topics of interest, the former NBA champion also opened up on his intensity and line-crossing trash talk.
Famous for banging his head against the post before games, the vigor brought by KG is unmatched today. Speaking of his pre-game ritual, he stated. “When you saw me bang my head on the back of the goal before the games, it was just about preparation.”
Comparing his preparation to UFC fighter Jon Jones, Garnett gave an example of their similarity. Explaining how Jones had his own pre-fight routine of banging his chest, KG called it “Muscle activation.”
Comparing that to his own pre-game ritual, he stated. “Sometimes the screaming would just be a release, man. I?ve got so much fucking energy.”
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The intensity and desire to win was so great within the 2004 MVP that he endorsed Arnold Schwarzenegger’s controversial remarks. Recalling it, he stated, “I would hear Arnold Schwarzenegger sometimes talk about having orgasms when he would lift”.
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Misunderstanding what that meant at first, Garnett remembers thinking, “F*ck, what? F*ck outta here.” It was only when he started to make his moves on the court that resulted in him feeling similar to what he endorsed Arnold’s remarks.
Garnett’s mentality that got him his NBA ring
Kevin Garnett’s mentality was something that many people admired. During the interview, he was asked to describe his mentality throughout the game. Revealing that it was mostly running full speed into the dark, he stated. “To be a professional athlete, I truly believe you have to be a little – you?ve got to be a lot more willing to run through the rope.”
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The same mentality that he describes helped him get his first ring as he traded the West for the East when moving to Boston in 2007. An elite warrior during his time, KG will forever be remembered for his killer mentality. Although seen in disbelief over viral videos these days, KG is still a fighter. And with the number of two-way players rising, could we see the mentality being implemented more? Let us know in the comments below.
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