Whenever Kevin Garnett stepped on the court, no player was safe from his relentless trash-talking. The 15-time All-Star wasn't just a dominant two-way forward but his sharp tongue made facing him even more challenging.
Interestingly, it wasn't just his opponents on the court who had to be on their toes; even legendary NBA reporter Craig Sager experienced firsthand how intimidating the 6'11" forward could get. In a now-iconic moment, Garnett hillariously advised Sager to burn all his clothes due to his bold and eccentric sense of style.
Sager made a name for himself as one of the most iconic sideline reporters for NBA on TNT due to his flamboyant outfits. Unfortunately for him, when he once made his way to interview "The Big Ticket" after a game, the scenario quickly turned into a brutal fashion reality check for him.
The 2008 NBA Champion initially requested the most minimal time for a quick personal message but in no time critiqued the reporter's flashy clothing choices in his signature no-holds-barred style.
"Tonight, I am stressing to you. Take this outfit home, and you burn it," Garnett said. "I've never seen you in a (same) outfit twice, but you take this right here - I don't care if it's Versace, name brand. You take this and you burn it. When you get done with this, you should be butt-a** naked. This should be burned. It's good to see you, like always - and the shoes, too, burn them. Don't ask any questions; just burn them. The red socks, which people can't see at home, take it all and burn it. Gasoline, kerosine, either one."
For many, receiving such a harsh critique on national television could have been intimidating or sparked tension. Yet, Sager took it in stride and only thanked the former DPOY for his blunt choice of words.
While KG's comment might have seemed harsh or indicative of animosity, it was far from that. When Craig passed away in 2016 from acute myeloid leukemia, Garnett honored him with heartfelt praise, calling him the epitome of broadcasting and sideline reporting.
Safe to say, in an era where many athletes were cautious about their interactions with the media, Garnett's candidness with Sager reflected the unique bond they shared. The fact that the KG felt comfortable enough to offer such blunt advice on national television was a testament to their close relationship.
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