Kevin Garnett may have never played for the Celtics if Kobe Bryant wasn’t in China when KG wanted to talk.
In a new interview with GQ about his new documentary, "Anything Is Possible," Garnett revisits the reasons why he ultimately agreed to head to Boston in July 2007. At the time, he told the Timberwolves he would only approve trades to the Suns, Celtics and Lakers. Steve Nash’s presence made Phoenix appetizing, but the star point guard regretfully informed Garnett he would have to take a pay cut, and owner Robert Sarver wasn’t committed to surrounding Garnett with players of his choosing.
Just like that, Phoenix was out. Garnett was flexing his negotiation muscles three years before “The Decision,” albeit in private.
Garnett’s next step was reaching out to Bryant, except the Lakers legend was in China for a Nike promotional tour. “I needed to have a conversation with him,” Garnett said. “I couldn't talk to Phil [Jackson, then coach of the Lakers] or none of that. I'm not a phone guy, you know what I'm saying? But it's [Kobe], you know what I'm saying? It was just kind of water under the bridge. At least it felt like that.”
In a pre-Zoom world — remember those halcyon days? — Garnett could only get face time with Bryant if he saw him face-to-face. That meant their chat would have to wait. In the meantime, Garnett ran into Antoine Walker at an event celebrating Gary Payton’s renewal of his wedding vows. KG says Walker convinced him the Celtics were the team for him. It doesn’t hurt that Danny Ainge acquired Ray Allen on draft night as well.
When the Celtic faced off against the Lakers in the regular season, Garnett says Bryant razzed him for the missed meetup.
““‘YO, MAN, YOU WAS TRYING TO GET IN CONTACT WITH ME?’ 'Man, get the f— outta here,’” Bryant said, according to Garnett. “YOU IN THAT WRONG COLOR, MAN. WHAT THE F—, MAN. HOW YOU GONNA GO TO BOSTON OF ALL PLACES.’”
While Garnett won a championship with the Celtics, he admits he thinks about what he could've accomplished alongside Bryant. "I’ve often wondered what playing with [Kobe] would’ve been like," he said.
The Lakers outlasted the Celtics in the 2011 NBA Finals in an incredible seven-game series.
If only Bryant was overseas during that time. The result probably would’ve turned out in the Celtics’ favor — again.