Kevin Garnett on Bill Simmons Podcast: “We Broke LeBron”

In a highly entertaining podcast interview, Bill Simmons sat down with 15-time NBA All-Star Kevin Garnett and Golden Globe-nominated actor Adam Sandler to discuss Uncut Gems, the new Safdie Brothers film that stars both icons.

It’s as good an interview as you’ll get, yet the unquestioned highlight has to do with Garnett’s time with the Celtics, specifically their glory years from 2008 through 2012. During this period, the Celtics had a rivalry with LeBron James, both as a member of Cleveland and Miami, and Garnett had plenty of noteworthy things to say.

When talking about the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals, which LeBron’s Miami team won in seven games, Simmons asked about a crucial Game 5 win for Boston on Miami’s home floor.

“Game 5, Celts win in Miami, and they’re talking all kinds of shit to LeBron. All kinds of shit the whole game — correct? You’re trying to get in his head. You feel like you can break LeBron at this point,” Simmons said.

“We broke LeBron,” Garnett snapped back, “so get your ass out of here with that, aight. You understand how he got to Miami, Bill? Remember that?”

Classic KG. What he’s referring to wasn’t 2012, but 2010 when Boston bounced the LeBron-led Cavaliers from the playoffs in six games. The final game of the series was miserable for LeBron (38.1 FG%, 9 turnovers) and plenty of people felt as though he gave up on his team. Watching it live, that’s exactly what it looked like; Boston legitimately broke his will and by the end of the game, LeBron looked like he was soooo over the Cleveland situation. Of course, he was, and it turned out to be his final game for Cleveland (first stint) before forming the “Big Three” in Miami.

He wasn’t done, though — it only got better.

“Man, listen. Let me tell you something. The C’s, we didn’t give a fuck about LeBron,” Garnett continued. “We didn’t fear LeBron. And we didn’t think he could beat all five of us.”

“He was trying to consolidate because he didn’t want the pressure on him,” he added.

Garnett also hinted at a conspiracy, or “an agenda” as he put it, in 2012.

“We weren’t part of the agenda, you understand. And that’s how they end up winning that series. Yeah, I said it.”

You can listen to the full interview below if you haven’t already. It’s worth your time, I promise.