Just like a fine wine ages better with time, Kevin Garnett’s trash-talking skills only worsened with each passing year, to the delight of many in the 2013-2014 season when the Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Steven Adams. Despite being in his 19th year in the NBA, Garnett, the legendary Boston Celtic and Minnesota Timberwolves player, was brought to Oklahoma to back up center Kendrick Perkins and provide competition for underachieving Hasheem Thabeet. Adams, on the other hand, was joining a legitimate title-contender with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as his teammates.
In Steven Adams’ first encounter with Garnett, he employed a clever plan to thwart the experienced trash-talker. Describing the memorable matchup on his “Morning Shift” podcast, Adams emphasized that his confidence was low at first, leading him to avoid engaging with Garnett. As he relieved Perkins for relief, Garnett shouted his catchphrase, “Yo, look!”; Adams, unfazed by the intimidation, simply chuckled, saying, “No English, bro.” This approach proved ineffective for Garnett, who attempted to psyche out his opponents but mostly struggled to find his footing.
Meanwhile, Adams continued to let his incredible defense and rebounding game speak for itself, ultimately sealing his place as a fan-favorite on the Thunder. Their final bout featured a similar outcome, with Steven Adams dominating the court while Garner continued to rely on his cunning repartee.
In hindsight, considering their last meeting, it seemed like Garnett must have accepted his fate: Stephen Adams had outsmarted him, ending the encounter with a decisive win on his side. Today, as Steven Adams shares his story with hosts, basketball enthusiasts will likely go gaga over this clever chapter in the duo’s tale, featuring the wily old maestro, Kevin Garnett versus the tenacious, emerging rival.
