Noah: Garnett’s cheap shots are fine
by Adi Joseph, USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Garnett isn’t winning any sportsmanship awards, even if he is an All-Star starter.
The Boston Celtics center talks so much trash, his opponents get suspended for chasing him. He talks so much, there were issues with his own teammates when he played for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He talks so much his teammates get into fights for him.
But one of his staunchest opponents is coming around on it all.
Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah has clashed with Garnett since his rookie season, two headstrong, versatile big men who love to give opponents’ a piece of their minds. Noah and Garnett battled again Friday during Chicago’s 100-99 overtime win, each drawing technical fouls in the fourth quarter.
But Noah respects Garnett. From Comcast SportsNet New England:
“He’s a hell of a competitor,” said Noah. “He’s always on some bulls—. (What does that mean?) Just trying to throw elbows, cheap shots, just trying to get you off your game. But he’s a vet, he’s been doing this a long time, but it’s alright.”
There was a time when Noah deemed Garnett “a dirty player.” Reflecting on that now, Noah said, “I feel like I was young, maybe talking a little bit too much. What happens on the court should stay on the court and I was pretty vocal about it but at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is winning or losing basketball games. It doesn’t matter, you don’t have to like your opponents, it’s alright.”
When asked if he thought Garnett crosses the line when he plays, Noah replied no, before adding, “When we lose, I feel like he crosses the line. But since we’ve been beating their (butts), I’m cool with it.”
It makes sense, in a way. Noah is justifying his own trash talk by paying homage to the master.
Besides, it obviously isn’t hurting Garnett. On top of questionably being elected an All-Star starter, he hasn’t been suspended this season despite inciting a big fight with the Brooklyn Nets and leading Carmelo Anthony to stalk him after a game.
Look at him in the photo accompanying this story, hands up. … [For more on Joakim Noah: Kevin Garnett's cheap shots are fine, click here.]
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