“Guys can’t focus, and guys can’t push through anything.” Four years ago, Kevin Garnett was teaching a few younger players and had an issue with their training method. Recently, he called out the younger generation for not being active listeners to the veterans. Even early in his career, KG faced some bullying, but he still highlighted the key points that vets could teach.

The Boston Celtics legend spoke to Paul Pierce on their podcast about a clear disconnect from the older generation. Garnett said the “jewels” from the vets help not only the professional gameplay but also shed light on how to work out the nitty gritty as a pro. “Know how to actually talk and deal with the All-Star director to say, ‘This what I’m doing, and this what I’m not doing,'” KG said, via Kevin Garnett Clips.

Often, managing time and easing the younger players is a job that most veterans take up. Likewise, Kevin Garnett explained his role during Kobe Bryant‘s first All-Star game. KG recalled the Black Mamba seeming nervous. Bryant was set to face some big names, including his idol Michael Jordan in his first All-Star appearance.

So, the responsibility to hype up his seemingly nervous teammate fell on Garnett. “It’s actually a clip. They don’t play the whole clip, but they play a piece of like, ‘Yeah, m*****f*****r, we at the All-Star game, ni***… You ready, ni***, we here now… we here now… Get your a** up… We going at this…We get out here. I’m looking for you. Be ready,'” KG said on the Club 520 podcast last month. Though Garnett supported the young Kobe, The Big Ticket had to go through some tough times during the initial days of his career.

Kevin Garnett experienced difficult days

Despite echoing the importance of the vets, KG did have a hard time initially. Earlier this year, he opened up to his best friend and co-host Paul Pierce about the rough beginnings in the league. Being the 5th overall pick of the 1995 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, The Big Ticket shared how some vets tried to either fight or punk him.

“The real sh*t of the league, everybody needs to understand this, man. For your first three years, the league was a bully league. Older guys who trying to either fight you, punk you… it was a real caveman.” He took a few names and shared the incident. Stating that Karl Malone on the first day forearmed him right in the chest.

“Everybody was doing it, though. Kevin Willis, Charles Barkley, the Davis boys…everybody, Rick Mahorn,” Kevin Garnett added. Growing through this experience, KG set the right example, just as he did with Kobe Bryant.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.