Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Carmelo Anthony On His Infamous Issue With Kevin Garnett In 2013

Originally posted on Fadeaway World | By Vishwesha Kumar | Last updated 1/15/24

Carmelo Anthony recently reflected on the infamous on-court altercation with Kevin Garnett in a candid discussion on the latest episode of 7PM in Brooklyn. The incident occurred in January 2013 during a game between Anthony's New York Knicks and Garnett's Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden.

"That to me was for me on my side was a real issue. Like that could have been a beef. Like you violated bro. Yeah, like it could have been, it could have went somewhere else that it ain't have to go."

"I was on go time. I was already there. I don't get, it takes a lot for me to get to that space. Yeah. So once I was there, it was no coming back. I gotta see if my ears just heard what I just think I just heard. And if I just heard what I think I just heard, then we have a serious issue."

Recalling the heated moment, Anthony emphasized that it was the only significant altercation in his entire NBA career. The altercation stemmed from words exchanged between the two players, leading to a heated confrontation that required teammates to intervene.

“We spoke right after that the same day after the incident we spoke on the bus and I said what I had to say, he said what he had to say."

Despite the intensity of the incident, Anthony revealed that he and Garnett spoke after the game on the Celtics' team bus to clarify their perspectives. The revelation showcased Anthony's ability to separate personal conflicts from professional admiration.

The incident had sparked speculation about Garnett's comments regarding Anthony's family, particularly his then-wife La La Anthony. Reports suggested that Garnett had made a controversial comment about La La tasting "like Honey Nut Cheerios." However, both Garnett and La La Anthony have denied this claim over the years.

In the aftermath of the altercation, the two players demonstrated maturity by putting aside their differences. They even appeared together for an interview during the 2013 All-Star weekend, indicating that their relationship had evolved beyond the on-court incident.

Garnett's humorous clarification on the alleged comment, stating, "I'm a Frosted Flakes man. I'm not a Honey Nut Cheerios guy," added a light-hearted touch to the resolution.

The episode highlighted the resilience of professional athletes in navigating conflicts and maintaining a mutual understanding despite intense on-court rivalries.

This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.

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