Joakim Noah and Kevin Garnett Shared an Awesome Moment

You can’t tell Joakim Noah’s story without mentioning the name Kevin Garnett. But don’t take my word for it.

The Chicago Bulls’ legend had his fair share of battles against the HOF big man back in the day. And part of the reason he felt so motivated to beef with the Garnett goes back to the first time the two ever shared the court. Noah recounted the story a few years ago on the Pardon My Take podcast.

As he recalls, the two were standing at the free-throw line during the final seconds of a blowout victory for the Celtics. A young Noah – who grew up a Garnett fanatic – wanted to say something to who he thought could be a role model. Both working with the same athletic trainer in the past, Noah leaned over to ask Garnett if he planned to work with him again soon. I’ll let him describe Garnett’s reaction.

“I just wanted to say something to my idol, and he just looked over and was like ‘who the f**k are you talking to? Who the f**k do you think you’re talking to,'” Noah said back in 2020 on Pardon My Take. “And when he said that I was like ‘aw, shit, I shouldn’t have.’ And then I kind of fell back, and realized I shouldn’t have said that – not during the game. And then I didn’t say anything and, then when I didn’t say anything, I guess he thought I was a f**king p***y or something because he kept getting louder and louder.

From that moment on, I swear to go I was like I’m going at him every single time we play we are going at it. It changed my career. That moment changed my career because from that moment on I learned there is no love in battle and this is competition. At the end of the day, I’m trying to rip your f**king head off, you’re trying to rip my head off, let’s go.”

Fast forward to today, and Noah has finally gotten a chance to set things straight with one of his favorite players of all time.

Kevin Garnett invited Noah to sit down on his Showtime Basketball show KG Certified. Not only do the two walk through some of what happened back in the day, but Garnett quickly offered an apology for not showing Noah some more love earlier in his career.

“When I’m competing, just like when you’re competing, or at least it felt this, you hit destroy,” Garnett said on KG Certified. “I’m going to create doubt. That’s one of my things. I was trying trying to destroy your will. But never in another stratosphere would I have ever thought you were a fan of mine. So I come today and I say I apologize for killing that light, my brother. No, real sh*t, because I take a lot of pride in being a big brother to all the younger guys …

I just wanted you to know, I recognized your genius. I saw it. I respected it. And we battled, bro.”

Noah warmly accepted Garnett’s words before he shared a little bit of his own perspective. According to the big man, it was exactly how Garnett approached him and the game that further transformed him into the player and DPOY that Bulls fans came to adore.

“I think that it made me who I am,” Noah declared. “And that’s why today, right now this moment right here, this moment is for nobody else but me to be able to talk about this. Because the demographics I’m trying to reach to might call this sh*t soft, and there is nothing soft about facing your past. So I’m proud of this.” 

How can you not love all of this? Nothing is better than seeing game respect game, and that’s exactly what we’re getting here from two of the most animated big men the NBA has ever seen.

You can check out the full clip of the conversation here, and the full interview will also be up on Showtime Basketball’s YouTube page soon.

written by

Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.

more bulls news

Enhanced Box Score: Bulls 110, Trail Blazers 107 – March 18, 2024

The beginning of this one gave me some mixed emotions. First, Alex Caruso was forced to exit and go to the locker room just 3 minutes into the game. Having entered the day as questionable with toe soreness, it sure...

OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

Damian Lillard Pulled Up to Watch the Bulls Play the Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard wants to be traded to the Chicago Bulls confirmed. The Milwaukee Bucks All-Star starter was a surprise guest at the Chicago Bulls' Monday night game. Lillard made the drive down from Milwaukee for an opportunity to sit courtside...

Pre-Gamin’: Portland Trail Blazers at Chicago Bulls (7:00 CT), Projected Lineups, How to Watch, More

Tough week ahead, can't lose this one. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1769695253408198745?s=20 Game Info Portland Trail Blazers (19-48) at Chicago Bulls (34-35) – 7:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Projected Starting Lineups Chicago Bulls Ayo Dosunmu Alex Caruso DeMar...

Bulls Weekly Preview: Trail Blazers, Rockets, Celtics – March 18-24

At the end of the day, I'm pretty sure a 2-2 effort last week was about what most expected from the Bulls. How they got there, however, wasn't exactly the most conventional of routes. But, hey, nothing is really ever...

This Might be the Most Alex Caruso Stat Ever …

Alex Caruso’s name should already be written down on All-Defensive First Team ballots – in pen.  The Chicago Bulls’ guard joined the prestigious club for the first time during the 2022-23 season. While the team as a whole struggled to...

LeBron James and JJ Redick’s New Podcast Actually Sounds Great

While it sure feels like everyone and their mother has a podcast these days, LeBron James’ new venture with former NBA sharpshooter JJ Redick sounds worthwhile.  The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand was the first to announce the new podcast titled “Mind...

Another Must-Win, Bulls Bracket Ideas, Defensive Drop Off, Happy “I’m Back” Day, and Other Bulls Bullets

Pssh, the Chicago Bulls have been bringing the Madness since October! March Madness is among the best stretches in the sports calendar every year. Not only do we get to spend hours staring at our brackets and pretending we know...

Injury Updates on Coby White and Alex Caruso Ahead of Game with Portland

The Chicago Bulls could be without two starting backcourt players against the Portland Trail Blazers. The latest official injury report puts both Coby White and Alex Caruso's availability for Monday night into question. Of course, White has been sidelined since...

WATCH: Kyrie Irving Beats Nuggets At The Buzzer for Epic 107-105 Win

Between the conference tournaments wrapping up, the Players Championship's amazing conclusion, and some awesome NBA matchups it's been a phenomenal Sunday of sports viewing. With all that was on, if you didn't have the Nuggets and Mavericks game on you...

Latest News

OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

De’Aaron Fox Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, De'Aaron Fox must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies, tipping off at 10:00 PM ET.De'Aaron Fox's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesDe'Aaron Fox's over/under for...

Malik Monk Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

Will Malik Monk make three 3-pointers when the Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at 10:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Malik Monk's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesMalik Monk's over/under for three-pointers...

Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

At 10:30 PM ET on Monday, it'll be the Atlanta Hawks against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Bogdan Bogdanovic needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under for three-pointers in this...

Anthony Davis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks at 10:30 PM ET on Monday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires just one make from Anthony Davis.Anthony Davis' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksAnthony Davis' over/under...

Dejounte Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, Dejounte Murray must make four from downtown on Monday, when his Atlanta Hawks face the Los Angeles Lakers, tipping off at 10:30 PM ET.Dejounte Murray's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersDejounte Murray's over/under for three-pointers...

D’Angelo Russell Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, D'Angelo Russell must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Los Angeles Lakers play the Atlanta Hawks, starting at 10:30 PM ET.D'Angelo Russell's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksD'Angelo Russell's over/under for...

LeBron James Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, LeBron James needs to make three from downtown on Monday, when his Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks on Monday at 10:30 PM ET.LeBron James' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksLeBron James' over/under for...

Finally, a Team Wanted the Reigning NL Cy Young Winner

The rumors all wound up being true: Blake Snell would take a two-year deal in the $60 million range, the Giants were probably the favorites now, and the pressure was on to get something done. Per Jon Heyman, it two...

Damian Lillard Pulled Up to Watch the Bulls Play the Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard wants to be traded to the Chicago Bulls confirmed. The Milwaukee Bucks All-Star starter was a surprise guest at the Chicago Bulls' Monday night game. Lillard made the drive down from Milwaukee for an opportunity to sit courtside...

more bulls news