There are many storied rivalries in NBA history that have often dominated the headlines. One such rivalry is between Kobe ‘Bean’ Bryant and 2004 MVP Kevin Garnett. The duo crossed paths several times during the course of their illustrious careers, even facing off against each other twice in the NBA Finals. Garnett’s fortunes changed after he was traded to the Boston Celtics in 2007. According to a resurfaced clip, however, Garnett made it clear that going to Boston was not the first choice for him.
Kevin Garnett got drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1995 in the first round and went on to star for the team for more than a decade. However, the Larry O’Brien trophy eluded him. But that changed in 2007.
Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant on the same team?
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Kevin Garnett got traded to the Eastern Conference’s bottom-seeded team, Boston Celtics, in 2007. No one ever thought that Garnett, who had been loyal to the Timberwolves for more than a decade, would be joining hands with fellow All-Stars Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. However, he had a completely different All-Star in mind for a possible team-up.
Discussing the possible trade destinations during a podcast appearance in 2020, Garnett revealed he wanted to team up with Kobe. He said, “I took a shot at Kobe, He didn’t pick the line up.” This was a rather shocking revelation as one would have never imagined Garnett and Bryant together given their history of going up against each other. Garnett joined the Celtics and went against Kobe’s Lakers. The Celtics were able to get the better of Los Angeles in 2008 but Kobe answered back in 2010.
Kevin Garnett wanted to link up with Kobe in the summer of 2007, but he didn't answer his phone
KG was already a MVP, & Kobe didn't want to play with another superstar big to squash the "carried" narrative
They would have easily won 2008-2011, another 3peat-4peat.l#HardRoute pic.twitter.com/SyRs6ViZEh
— Brandon (@clickthatfollow) July 13, 2023
One might wonder what would have happened had Garnett and Kobe teamed up in LA. Kobe won two NBA titles in the post-Shaq era. With Garnett, there would have been a possibility that he would have at least one more and tie the record of his idol Michael Jordan.
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Despite their battles on the court, KG had immense respect for the Black Mamba. Kevin Garnett once revealed how Kobe’s death forced him to fix severed bonds with a former star teammate.
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Kevin Garnett patched up with his former teammate after Kobe Bryant’s death
Garnett once revealed that after Kobe’s death, he realized he should mend the severed relationship between him and Ray Allen. The alleged beef between the two started when Allen left Boston to join one of their biggest rivals at the time, the Miami Heat.
The Celtics had overcome the likes of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade on multiple occasions. However, after they teamed up, it was a different story. Allen felt he had a better chance to win with James and Wade and left Boston, destroying his relationship with most of the Celtics stars. It was rather a positive site to see two legends of the game coming together to join hands.
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What are your thoughts on Garnett’s claim? Let us know in the comments.