logo
"With LeBron, it was more like the little homie" - Kevin Garnett on why many players don't view LeBron James the same as Michael Jordan

"With LeBron, it was more like the little homie" - Kevin Garnett on why many players don't view LeBron James the same as Michael Jordan

Yahoo2 days ago
"With LeBron, it was more like the little homie" - Kevin Garnett on why many players don't view LeBron James the same as Michael Jordan originally appeared on Basketball Network.
It's been said before, but coming from Kevin Garnett, it lands a little heavier.
This is a man who went to war for 21 seasons, left everything on the floor every night and never held back when it came to giving credit or talking trash.
So when Garnett draws a line between Michael Jordan and LeBron James, it's less about stats or GOAT debate and more about legacy as seen from within the fraternity.
It's about presence. It's about how one man redefined the game and another reengineered how long one could stay great.
Jordan, the ultimate GOAT
In his prime, Jordan was more than just a revolutionary player. He was a force of nature.
Before James was crowned The Chosen One, Garnett, like nearly every teenager with a hoop dream in the '90s, saw Jordan as the blueprint. Not just the player to beat, but the one who seemed untouchable.
"It's a different level of respect," Garnett said of how players categorize Jordan. "[...] he was my version of what basketball looked like. And with LeBron, it was more like the little homie. Here's the little homie growing up and man, little homie is getting better than everybody."
"God damn ... I definitely talked some s— to him. I've definitely said some crazy s— to him. He's definitely said some crazy s— back to me," he added.
This was the truth of that era. Garnett came into the league in 1995, just as Jordan returned from baseball and reclaimed the league like he never left. The Chicago Bulls were the apex predators and Jordan was the engine. Garnett entered that world as a teenager straight out of high school, wide-eyed but unafraid and found himself playing against his childhood idol.
But James' story took a different arc. Drafted in 2003, eight years after Garnett, he was never the mythic figure lurking in the distance; he was the new kid coming in, learning on the fly, growing under the spotlight. And Garnett, still very much in his prime in the mid-2000s, saw James differently. He wasn't an untouchable figurehead, but as someone to test, to talk trash to, to try and shake.
To Garnett, Jordan was the summit, James was the climber and from his vantage point, the reverence for Jordan wasn't just about talent, it was about timing, dominance and impact. Jordan's era had fewer distractions, less noise and more mystery that made him the undisputed all-time great in the eyes of many.The weight of legacy
Still, while Garnett places Jordan in a singular space of a status that is simply unattainable for most, he doesn't shy away from giving James his flowers, particularly when it comes to longevity. That's where Garnett, who played until 40, understands exactly what it takes to survive in the league for two decades, let alone remain the face of it.
"You've gotta have that in you to be able to have those shoulders to carry it," the Hall of Famer said of James. "No man is perfect in this s— and there ain't no telltale book on how to do this s—. He's done a great f—ing job. I just felt like it was only right to give him that respect."
Garnett battled with James in multiple playoff series, from the heated Boston Celtics–Cleveland Cavaliers rivalry to the Miami Heat–Celtics wars that defined the late 2000s and early 2010s. Garnett was never interested in befriending opponents, especially not those trying to dethrone him. But even in the fire, he saw the growth.
The Kid from Akron became the Iron Man of the NBA.
Jordan's dominance may have felt absolute, but it lived in an age of limited access and one-dimensional coverage.
James has existed in 24/7 news cycles, constant social media surveillance and shifting expectations. And yet, over two decades in, he's still putting up numbers and rewriting what it means to be elite at 40-going-on-41.
Garnett, who played against both, seems to understand that perhaps greatness isn't one thing; it morphs depending on the generation.This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Should the Boston Celtics target Domantas Sabonis via trade?
Should the Boston Celtics target Domantas Sabonis via trade?

Yahoo

time5 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Should the Boston Celtics target Domantas Sabonis via trade?

The 2025 NBA offseason has seen the Boston Celtics endure a considerable talent drain at multiple positions. The loss of Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet and potentially Al Horford has left the franchise dangerously short of talent and depth across the front court. Luka Garza is the only notable front-court addition this summer. Losing Jrue Holiday also hurt, but at least Boston has the guard depth to help fill some of the void. Recently, a trade proposal that saw Boston send out Anfernee Simons, Sam Hauser, Georges Niang, Neemias Queta and two future first-round picks for Domantas Sabonis went viral. The fan base was split on whether that deal would be good business for the Celtics or whether that would be an overpay by the franchise. During a recent episode of the "Hold My Banner" podcast, hosts Adam Pellerin and Ountae Campbell discussed the trade proposal and whether they would make that trade if they were running the Celtics organization. The duo also shared some of the online fan reactions to the proposed deal, showing how split opinion was on the potential to add Sabonis to a core of Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, and, upon his return, Jayson Tatum. You can watch the full discussion between Pellerin and Campbell by clicking on the embedded video above. Watch or listen to the "Taylor Talks Celtics" podcast on: YouTube: Spotify: Apple: Substack: This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Should the Celtics target Domantas Sabonis via trade?

How to watch Manchester United vs Everton live: Summer Series stream link, TV channel, team news, prediction
How to watch Manchester United vs Everton live: Summer Series stream link, TV channel, team news, prediction

Yahoo

time5 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

How to watch Manchester United vs Everton live: Summer Series stream link, TV channel, team news, prediction

Manchester United can keep up the good vibes and win the Premier League Summer Series with a solid performance Sunday versus winless Everton at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The Red Devils have beaten West Ham and Bournemouth, while the Toffees have lost to those sametwo opponents over two days in New Jersey and Chicago. WATCH — Manchester United vs Everton stream live on Peacock Ruben Amorim's men impressed against the Irons then built a four-goal lead over the Cherries, and will likely finish atop the Summer Series table unless they're blown out by Everton after the Bournemouth vs West Ham ends in a one-sided way. But it's going to be all about performance for Amorim, whose charges have looked lively and committed in a manner more befitting Man United than most previous seasons. Meanwhile, old Man Utd boss David Moyes brought a low-numbers, shallow team to the United States and they've resembled those statements. He'll hope for a brighter result on Sunday. Below you'll find all the info you need for Manchester United vs Everton in the Premier League Summer Series, plus lineups and live updates on game day. How to watch Manchester United vs Everton live, stream link and start time Kick off time: 5pm ET Sunday Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia TV Channel: Peacock Streaming: Stream live on Peacock Manchester United team news, focus Bryan Mbeumo may make his Manchester United debut in the Summer Series, but who knows for how long as Amorim has been using the full allotment of subs over the first two matches. Rasmus Hojlund, Bruno Fernandes, and Amad Diallo have had impressive weeks in the United States. Everton team news, focus The Toffees have rotated a bit at this tournament, including in goal where Jordan Pickford and Mark Travers split the first two games. Thierno Barry has come off the bench both games, while Michael Keane and James Tarkowski played a bit in the second game to give the side's beleaguered back line some respite. Manchester United vs Everton prediction It's preseason so let's just make this as preseason as possible — Everton to nick a point in a low-scoring affair. Manchester United 1-1 Everton.

(Video) Messi Sparks Controversy with Slap Incident in Leagues Cup Opener
(Video) Messi Sparks Controversy with Slap Incident in Leagues Cup Opener

Yahoo

time5 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

(Video) Messi Sparks Controversy with Slap Incident in Leagues Cup Opener

No card shown despite visible altercation with Atlas player during heated exchange (Video) Messi Sparks Controversy with Slap Incident in Leagues Cup Opener A moment of controversy stole the spotlight as Lionel Messi was involved in heated clash during Inter Miami's 2 - 1 win over Atlas in the Leagues cup group stage opener early Thursday morning. Slap Without Consequences Tensions flared when Messi exchanged words with Atlas midfielder Hernandez. The Argentine approached his opponent, spoke sharply, then touched his face before delivering what appeared to be light slap. Surprisingly the referee chose not to intervene. No card was shown and play resumed without disciplinary action prompting backlash on social media & renewed debates about Messi's treatment by officials. Despite the incident, Messi played pivotal role in the win assisting both goals for Inter Miami. His creative influence once again underlined his value to the team as they began their Leagues cup campaign with 3 points. Recent Suspension Raises Eyebrows The drama comes just days after Messi served 1 match suspension in MLS for skipping the All Star Game on 23 Jul , raising questions about consistency in league discipline.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store