Kevin Garnett recently shared a story about facing Hakeem Olajuwon early in his career. During an episode of his podcast with Paul Pierce, Garnett recounted how Olajuwon’s trash talk was unlike anything he had encountered before.
Garnett, who grew up in Chicago and entered the league with a reputation for his quick wit and sharp tongue, found himself outmatched by Olajuwon’s sophisticated approach to trash talking.
“Dream used to talk sh*t but his talking sh*t was so sophisticated I couldn’t even understand,” Garnett said. “Coming from Chi-Town, right into the league – in Chi-Town, you got the little quick-backs. Dream used to hit you like ‘I am a man!… Don’t do that, I am a man!’
I am hitting him with lateral movement. To this day, I don’t even have a response. ‘I’m finna test your lateral’. He comes out, ‘I’m finna test his lateral’ and throws his mouthpiece in. Test your lateral?… I’m like ‘Damn, now I need some more sophisticated sh*t. My sh*t ain’t hitting like his’. ‘I am freezing him, he cannot do anything’. That was like classy sh*t talking.”
“Coming from Chi-Town, you got them little quick backs. Man, [Hakeem Olajuwon] used to hit your a*s with, ‘I am a man.’ Like, I don’t even know how to answer that.”
Kevin Garnett on Olajuwon’s trash talk 🤣
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Olajuwon’s trash talk was layered and nuanced, a stark contrast to the more direct and aggressive style Garnett was accustomed to. This unique approach left Garnett momentarily speechless, as he struggled to respond to Olajuwon’s calm yet cutting remarks.
The story highlights the different styles of trash talking in the NBA and how even seasoned players like Garnett could be taken aback by the eloquence of a legend like Olajuwon. Garnett’s recollection is a fascinating glimpse into the psychological battles that often go unseen during games. It serves as a reminder of the diverse strategies players use to gain a mental edge and the lasting impact these encounters can have on their careers.
