"Quit all this disrespect" - Kevin Garnett shuts down ex-NBA champ’s 'all bark no bite' criticism of OKC Thunder's revamped roster

Former NBA star Kevin Garnett is backing the OKC Thunder heading into the 2024-25 NBA season. In a clip posted on X (formerly Twitter) from his show with Paul Pierce, "Ticket & The Truth," KG spoke highly of the team. The former star even called the team "dogs" as he sees something special in their roster.

The Thunder added free agents Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein in the summer. The team also acquired Nikola Topic with their 12th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The squad also re-signed Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe in the offseason.

With these moves, Garnett believes that OKC will surprise other teams this season. Paul Pierce, his close friend and co-host, has a different perspective on the team. The 2008 Finals MVP thinks the young Thunder team won't be able to back up the hype.

Pierce likens Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his group to dogs who bark but don't bite. After Pierce's take, KG stood his ground and defended the Western Conference team.

"You gonna quit all this disrespect," Garnett said. "You said they all bark and no bite. That's what you said... They got 8, 9 n****s that'll bone your motherf***ing a**.

"OKC. Don't get it f***ed up because it ain't all glitz and glamor, ain't got the lights on it... OKC on some 'We got something to prove.' Minnesota, 'We got something to prove.'"

Last season, the Thunder returned to the postseason after three years. In the first round, they performed well, as they swept the New Orleans Pelicans in four games. Their second-round performance was still impressive, despite getting eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in six games.

Experts believe that the Thunder has what it takes to be an outstanding team this season. Forbes predicts OKC will win 50 games this season and have a deep playoff run.

---

Kevin Garnett argued with Pierce about SGA

Before the NBA's media day, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce talked about the Thunder. The two talked about the stars who are under pressure coming into the season. Pierce named Anthony Edwards but left SGA out of the picture.

KG argued that SGA belongs in the discussion but his former teammate disagreed.

"The f**k are you talking about, P?" KG cracked (41:48)."[The Thunder] won the West last year, P. If you are talking about Anthony Edwards, you gotta throw Shai in there. What are you talking about, bro? OKC gets so much disrespect, bro."

However, Pierce argued that the Minnesota Timberwolves are a better team than the Thunder, which is why he didn't put SGA in Edwards' category.