Kevin Garnett Credits Kobe Bryant's Death for Ending Feud with Ray Allen

Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen officially buried the hatchet at the Celtics' ceremony retiring Garnett's jersey.

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

During the season eight premiere of “Cold As Balls”, NBA legend Kevin Garnett spoke to comedian Kevin Hart about making amends with Ray Allen.

Garnett, Allen, and Paul Pierce were known as the Boston Celtics’ Big Three during their five seasons together. The trio won an NBA championship in 2008 over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Their relationship soured after Allen signed with the Miami Heat in 2012. Garnett took offense to the move because of Miami’s status as championship favorites at the time.

“If there was one team that we had an issue with, it was Miami." said Garnett. "I wasn’t looking at it like it’s a business decision for Ray. Ray had a chance to get another ring. I didn’t take on none of that. I was in my own feelings, so I was super competitive. Everybody who knows me knows I’m like that.”

Garnett credits Kobe Bryant’s tragic death for changing his perspective of life. Bryant died from a helicopter accident in 2020.

"The passing of Kobe and all of us getting older helped me understand that life is not given to none of us... it would've f***** with me if something happened to Ray and I didn't get a chance to amend this"

Grieving Kobe's passing helped me realize that life is short to hold… pic.twitter.com/8OnE4NYlnI

— Kevin Garnett (@KevinGarnett5KG) March 22, 2023

“The passing of Kobe and all of us getting older helped me understand that life is given to none of us,” said Garnett. “It would have f***** with me if something would have happened to Ray, and I didn’t get a chance to amend this.”

Last year, Allen attended Garnett’s jersey retirement at TD Garden, where the two buried the hatchet.

Further Reading

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