Today, Kevin Garnett is known as an NBA legend and champion with an exceptional work ethic and a relentless competitive spirit. When Garnett first started out, however, that competitive nature got him into trouble when he spoke out of line in front of Michael Jordan.

Kevin Garnett shreds narrative about Celtics' path to NBA Finals

“We’re in Chicago and it’s my rookie year,” said Garnett. “It’s the second half of the year and you know how you caught on now right? You got your little one two moves and you’re getting them all and you got some confidence,” said Garnett on KG Certified. “So I’m in that. JR Rider and Michael [Jordan] are having a good game but as we’re coming out the timeout, I’m on y’all. I can’t even explain it, I’m just like ‘Keep killing that n*****, yo.’ And he was like ‘Yeah, you too.’ So as I’m walking off I double back like ‘Keep killing that n****, yo.’ And as I say that, I feel it. Hands on hips, legs locked, and Michael is stared at me for about 15 seconds… and I can’t even describe the next 6-7 minutes of play. In this next 6-7 minutes of play we down 25 now, it was just at two. Mike had 18 and he had like 40 now. JR and myself we ain’t scored in about four minutes.”
Kevin Garnett, a 15x All-Star, was drafted fifth overall in 1995. Garnett would go on to play until 2013 but he started early enough to clash with Michael Jordan at the peak of his powers. The 1995-96 campaign was fresh off Jordan’s return from the following season and it was also his second-to-last MVP campaign.

Kevin Garnett On Michael Jordan: "Whenever I See Him, He Palms My Head And Says, 'Remember The Game I Gave You 40 In Three Quarters?'" - Fadeaway World

The game in question happened in February when the Bulls came to Minnesota for the first time for the final time of the season. After going back and forth all game, the Timberwolves were hoping to steal a win against the dynasty with Kevin Garnett leading the way.

Instead, Garnett activated Jordan with his trash talk and he proceeded to take over the game down the stretch. Michael finished with 35 points and 6 rebounds in the contest as the Bulls won in a 120-99 blowout. Garnett went 0-3 against Jordan and the Bulls that season.

Of course, Michael would go on to complete another three-peat and cement his place as the NBA’s GOAT for decades to come. Garnett would eventually win a title of his own with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and he never lost the competitive spirit that made him so bold as to challenge Michael Jordan a 19-year-old rookie.

It’s fair to say that Garnett was humbled that day and while he never lost his habit of talking down to his opponents he did learn a valuable lesson about who he aims his talk toward. If you anger the wrong opponent, such as he did with Michael, it can have truly devastating consequences.

Garnett eventually became one of those players himself after a few years in the league and now he’s remembered as one of the most ruthless competitors in the league’s history. After learning from the best early on, it’s no surprise that Garnett gained the reputation he did and it’s no surprise that was able to back it up with sheer dominance on the court more often than not.