$50,000,000 worth ex-NBA star reveals how Kevin Garnett's trash talk shaped his career

Kevin Garnett is widely regarded as one of basketball’s greatest trash talkers, and Joakim Noah revealed yet another reason why on Wednesday. The former Bulls defensive anchor credited Garnett’s trash talk for helping shape him into the relentless defender he became.

Appearing on the Out The Mud podcast with Tony Allen and Zach Randolph, Noah shared a story about Garnett from his rookie year. He recalled a blowout loss to Garnett’s team where, late in the game, he expressed admiration for the Big Ticket.

However, instead of receiving encouragement, the rookie Noah was stunned when Kevin Garnett responded with trash talk.

“That s**t was crazy. You know, Ticket was a guy, like I had his poster in my room … he was the guy that I looked up to coming up,” Noah said (35:00 mark). “And I remember telling him … there was like 10 seconds left in the game. We down, we getting smoked my first year. And I said something like, ‘You know, like, I really respect you.’”

“I tried to say it so humbly and so respectfully. You know what I'm saying? And he's like, ‘Yo, who the f**k you think you're talking to, rook?’”

Noah admitted that Garnett’s reaction caught him off guard but became a pivotal moment in his career. He vowed never to allow disrespect again.

“I was like, ‘Oh, s**t!’That s**t shocked me. I'm not going to lie, that moment, though, it changed my career … Because I learned a real valuable lesson. Like, never again, never again. Nobody's going to disrespect me.

Joakim Noah went on to play 13 seasons in the NBA, establishing himself as a dominant force. He averaged 8.8 points and 9.0 rebounds, earned two All-Star selections and accumulated a net worth of $50 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

Kevin Garnett gave Joakim Noah his flowers post-retirement

While Kevin Garnett’s trash talk and feuds with Joakim Noah defined much of their time on the court, the two reconciled after retiring.

In 2023, Noah appeared on Garnett’s KG Certified podcast, where Garnett reflected on teaching younger players not to be fans of their opponents during competition.

"I take a lot of pride in being a big brother to all the young guys, you know what I'm saying. But in the form of what we were in, competing, that's what it was and I understood it coming from you too. But I just want you to know I recognized your genius. I saw it and I respected it," Garnett said.

The Big Ticket later posted on X (formerly Twitter) to affirm their mutual respect:

Both Kevin Garnett and Joakim Noah are one-time Defensive Player of the Year recipients.