Basketball Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett didn’t hold back when he heard that Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid plans to sit out back-to-back games this upcoming season.
Garnett, known for his intense and passionate demeanor, expressed his frustration during an episode of his podcast, “KG Certified,” alongside former teammate Paul Pierce.
“Eighty-two games, man. This is what the f—ing job calls for,” Garnett exclaimed. “You’re not practicing, you’re not even playing a whole f—ing summer league, and now you’re gonna sit out back-to-backs? I don’t want to hear that s—, man. I don’t want to hear none of that s—. Motherf—er can sit out of back-to-backs?”
Kevin Garnett goes off after hearing Joel Embiid’s decision to sit out of back-to-backs:
“82 games, man, this is what the fu***** job calls for.”
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Garnett’s comments come after Embiid and 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey announced the plan to rest Embiid on the second nights of back-to-back sets to keep him healthy and fresh for the playoffs. While some fans and analysts support the cautious approach given Embiid’s injury history, Garnett believes it sets a bad precedent for the league.
“The league’s got to get this under control,” Garnett continued. “This is all over the place, real s— and nobody is saying nothing. Ain’t nobody holding anyone accountable.”
Garnett’s passionate plea has sparked a debate among fans and players about the balance between player health and the demands of an 82-game season. While some agree with Garnett’s stance, others argue that the physical toll on players is too great to ignore.
As the NBA season approaches, it remains to be seen how Embiid’s decision will impact the 76ers and whether it will lead to broader discussions about player workload and game scheduling.
