“They Playing Half Speed”: Adam Sandler Stuns Kevin Garnett But Reveals Harsh Reality Check from Other NBA Stars

Adam Sandler has always had a deep love for basketball. Whether he’s playing pickup games at local parks or casting NBA stars in his movies, the game is a big part of his life. His connection to players like Kevin Garnett, who co-starred with him in Uncut Gems, is proof of that. But as much as Sandler loves the sport, even he knows there’s a difference between casual hoopers and actual pros.

That reality hit hard when Sandler joined a private run with NBA players like Trae Young, Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanović, Aaron Gordon, and Jordan Clarkson. The viral footage on Garnett’s podcast episode showed Sandler holding his own, even knocking down a baseline jumper off a Trae Young assist. At first, the experience felt surreal, like he was living every basketball fan’s dream. But as the game went on, he started noticing something.

Sitting down with Kevin Garnett, Sandler recalled feeling unexpectedly nervous during the game. “I don’t know why I was so nervous. I was like, don’t blow this Trae pass,” he admitted. The NBA stars had been kind, letting him get involved and even making sure he got a shot up. “They were being cool,” Sandler said. “They let me have the ball. I hit it. I hit a shot. It was the most shaky arms I ever had taking a shot.”

But reality set in when the game ended. Sandler, feeling good about his performance, assumed they’d run it back. That’s when he noticed the shift. “I saw their face like, okay, look. We did one. Just calm down, man. Let us play full speed,” he recalled. That’s when it clicked, these guys had been taking it easy on him. He laughed, admitting, “They were warming up. But then they were like, listen, we gotta work out, man. And then I said, yeah, I got the hell out.”

It was a humbling moment, but Sandler took it in stride. He may not be NBA-level, but his passion for the game is undeniable. And honestly? Not everyone gets a chance to ball with the best, even if it’s just at “half speed.” 

While Sandler’s experience highlights the intersection of entertainment and professional basketball, debates within the sport, such as the recent discussion between Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, further illustrate its evolving dynamics.

Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce’s debate over USA vs. The World

If you had to pick one final NBA event, would you choose the All-Star Game or a USA vs. The World clash? That’s exactly what Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce debated on KG Certified.

The NBA All-Star Game just isn’t what it used to be. Fans feel the excitement fading, and opinions are divided. Some blame Adam Silver’s changes, while others say the game has lost its competitive spark. Either way, Pierce believes the world still isn’t ready to challenge Team USA. Garnett, however, had a different take.

When KG asked if international players could compete with the U.S., Pierce didn’t hold back, saying, “I don’t think there is enough players in the world.” The reaction? Pure shock. Garnett fired back, calling out stars like Giannis, Luka, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as proof. Suddenly, the debate wasn’t just a debate but a full-on showdown.

But here’s the bigger question: Is the NBA really losing its homegrown talent? Pierce has been vocal about the league’s declining ratings, believing the takeover of international stars plays a role. Last year, he pointed out, “I think international players are taking over, and I think there’s a lack of that new American star waiting to emerge.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, however, disagrees. He told Front Office Sports that distractions like elections impact ratings more than the style of play. But is that really the case?

At the end of the day, fans crave stars they can connect with. Whether American or international, does today’s NBA have those magnetic personalities like LeBron, Kobe, or even Steph in his prime? Or is the league facing a real superstar drought?