Shaquille O'Neal and Kevin Garnett talk about teaming up in Boston
Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics is known as one of the best trash talkers in the NBA. But his ultra-competitiveness can sometimes get him into trouble, as it did earlier this month
when he reportedly called Charlie Villanueva of the Detroit Pistons a cancer patient during a game.
Shaquille O’Neal, 38, Garnett’s new team-mate after he signed with the Celtics this past summer, is only four years Garnett’s senior. And the two NBA veterans have enjoyed playing alongside
each other so far this season.
Some have even suggested that O’Neal’s trademark sense of humour has rubbed off on Garnett, toning down his warrior mentality on the court. But Boston coach Doc Rivers told reporters he
doesn’t buy the theory. “I think Kevin will always be Kevin. You can put Robin Williams and Eddie Murphy next to Kevin and he’s going to be Kevin Garnett. He loves the game and he’s going to compete every night. That’s
who he is all the time. Anybody who talks about Shaq making Kevin less angry is a little delusional. I don’t think that holds any water, honestly.”
Both players are likely headed for the NBA Hall of Fame after their careers but for the time being, they are both contributing to what they hope will be a championship season for the Celtics
this year. In the nine games he has played this season, O’Neal is averaging 10.4 points and 6.3 rebounds while Garnett averages 15.5 and 9.4.
In some odd comments, Garnett likened O’Neal to laundry. “Shaq is like paradise, man. You ever wash your sheets and then go outside and hang them out, and the sun dries them? You ever
smell the sheets? That’s what Shaq is."
O’Neal was less cryptic when describing the relationship, one built on mutual respect, between the two aging players. "I think it’s a relationship of respect, after our battles over the
years. We’ve seen what we can do over the years. We’re basically the same thing to each other, and we can say anything to each other. He can say anything to me and I’ll respect his word, and he’ll respect my word. I knew that it was going to be a good relationship
coming in."
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