Kevin Garnett On Today’s NBA: ‘I Don’t Think Guys From 20 Years Ago Could Play In This Game’

Kevin Garnett‘s relentless energy, elite defense, and versatile scoring, made him one of the most complete players in NBA history – there was nothing he couldn’t handle.

After dominating the league for 21 years and earning a Hall of Fame induction, he’s witnessed the game evolve, making him wonder how his peers would adapt to today’s NBA.

“The game is at another level,“ said Garnett.

“I want you to get on a court, sprint corner to corner, stop on a dime and shoot a 3. I want you to do 10 of those. Then, I want you to focus on how tired you are. Because these players do that for 48 minutes. I don’t think guys from 20 years ago could play in this game,” he added.

In the modern NBA, perimeter shooting dominates, and players at every position are able to knock down threes.

Defense in today’s league is also tougher than ever, as rule changes, particularly around hand-checking, have limited defenders. Garnett describes it as “damn near impossible.” Defenders must now rely on footwork and positioning, but offensive players driving to the rim hold a clear advantage.

Some NBA greats, like Isiah Thomas, say the NBA has lost its physicality and has turned into a copycat league, but Garnett sees it differently. The three-point revolution has created a different kind of game, where skill and offensive versatility are on full display every night, even if it doesn’t resemble the grittiness of the 80s and 90s.

“Steph Curry revolutionized things with being able to shoot it from distance with such consistency. Klay Thompson. Dame Lillard. These guards changed the game. I don’t know if even the guards from 20 or 30 years ago could play in this time right here. It’s creative. It’s competitive. It’s saucy. You’ll get dropped! A [expletive] will cross you over and break your A.C.L. these days. The game is in a great place.”