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NBA, Basketball Herren, USA Basketball Michael Jordan Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls, in action in a game againt the Phoenix Suns in 1996. Chicago IL United States Copyright: xDUOMO/PCNx BK0803_106467
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago1009386565h.jpg)
via Imago
NBA, Basketball Herren, USA Basketball Michael Jordan Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls, in action in a game againt the Phoenix Suns in 1996. Chicago IL United States Copyright: xDUOMO/PCNx BK0803_106467
The Chicago Bulls dominated the league in the 90s and Kevin Garnett recalls that period as- “Mike and them were just bullying ni*** man.” KG, who had watched and appreciated Michael Jordan as a fan, soon came face to face with the star during his rookie season. MJ had returned after his first retirement, but he had not lost touch with his gameplay and that was something that Garnett found out the hard way.
The game was an emotional one for KG as he had come to the game after visiting his friend, who had suffered severe injuries in a car accident. The Minnesota Timberwolves star claimed that he was running off fumes after not getting much sleep, and got carried away. While speaking on the Club 520 podcast, The Big Ticket revealed an incredible story of talking smack to Michael Jordan, describing him, “Mike then was just on some bully sh**.”
“I had a great night but yeah just, just man, soon as I start feeling good man, I fu**ed that up. Man, I fu**ed that up. There’s a lot of sh** I didn’t fu** up, but I fu**ed that up.” While Garnett didn’t specify the game, a Feb. 27, 1996 matchup between the Timberwolves and Bulls saw Minnesota stay close for three quarters, then get outscored 38-23 in the fourth quarter on the road at the famous United Center.
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KG continued, “Cuz we had a chance to win that game and I woke the beast up, dog. And I didn’t think that sh** was real till you see it. Like OH, sh**. Really? Really?? Really??”
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After that point, Garnett never riled up Michael Jordan and only spoke to him with respect. “I never said sh** to Jordan after that dog, real sh**. I ain’t say nothing. ‘Sup, black cat, you good? You good?’, ‘okay cool, bald head’ and keep it moving straight up.” The advice that KG understood after the game was actually reiterated to him by his teammate during the game.
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Does Garnett's regret over provoking MJ prove Jordan's unmatched dominance?
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A rookie mistake by KG cost the game against Michael Jordan and Co.
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Once MJ went on to his spree, scoring points left, right, and center, KG knew about his mistake. When Garnett was benched, his teammate, who the Wolves drafted as the #5 overall pick in the 1993 draft, had a piece of advice for him. KG accepted his mistake to Isaiah Rider aka JR, “My fault, man.” To this, JR said, “It’s all good man. Shut your a** up.”
During the game too, Rider had asked Garnett to not talk back to Michael Jordan. Explaining that he was good at guarding MJ, KG was quick to hype his teammate by saying that Jordan couldn’t guard Rider. JR tried talking sense to the rookie, but Garnett did not pay attention to that.
Rider explained that going into the 4th quarter MJ got quick 17 odd points. Thus, KG learned a lesson the hard way: never poke a bear. Especially if the bear is the 6x NBA champion Michael Jordan.
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Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.”
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Does Garnett's regret over provoking MJ prove Jordan's unmatched dominance?