Kevin Garnett is a legendary trash talker. Throughout his career, fellow NBA players would say he was one of the most ruthless, harsh and cruel talkers in the league, someone who always had the perfect thing to say to break down an opponent’s spirit.
So no one blames Steven Adams for hating the smoke as a rookie, but the way he avoided it was downright comical.
Steven Adams, in his first matchup against Kevin Garnett as a rookie, said “no English” to avoid badmouthing him.
“Thankfully, he didn’t say anything afterwards. He would have ruined me. I would have cried.” pic.twitter.com/kl6zOKIZdB
— Steven Adams Statistics (@funakistats) August 7, 2024
“I wasn’t going to let myself get beat, because I wasn’t confident. He’s a schmoozy guy. He schmoozes. He was talking to Kendrick Perkins. Kendrick G was playing with him, and he started arguing. And then I came in and he said something, and I was like, ‘No English, bro. No English, bro.’ And he didn’t say anything, and I was like, ‘Great.'”
It goes without saying, but just to avoid any confusion, Adams is from New Zealand. He speaks English. English is his native language. But the bad news for Adams is that KD said this, and he’s ready to make up for lost time when it comes to swearing.
Good luck, Steven.
