Kevin Garnett on not noticing Giannis Antetokounmpo until he looked like Bruce Lee

Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the strongest players in the NBA. He wasn’t always this way. In fact, when he came into the league, Antetokounmpo was quite skinny, and it was because of this that Kevin Garnett never took notice of him.

Related: The top 5 power forwards for the 2025-26 NBA season

“Well, I had played against Giannis a couple of times, and I think the first couple of times I played him, I didn’t even remember. It wasn’t anything that made me kind of, you know, stick out to remember the kid or anything. I don’t even recall it… to the point where it wasn’t an impression.

TOP NEWS

Giannis Antetokounmpo trade buzz intensifies ahead of NBA draft

Giannis Antetokounmpo 14 hours ago

Michael Wilbon blasts ‘diva’ Giannis Antetokounmpo for unreliability

Giannis Antetokounmpo 5 days ago

Attention Spurs: Make the trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo immediately

Giannis Antetokounmpo 1 week ago

“It wasn’t until the third time, or I think I was a little older. I think it was in Minnesota. I think we had a preseason game against Milwaukee, and I could tell just how he looked like Bruce Lee. He looked super ripped.”

(Starts 31:55)

Antetokounmpo not only became ripped and strong, but he also became unstoppable, winning MVPs and an NBA championship. He will now be on a mission to regain his winning ways as the last few years have been a little disappointing, especially for his standards.

About the Author Published Aug 14, 2025

TITAN FREY

Titan Frey is a dedicated father to three wonderful children, whom he takes immense pride in. His passions include reading, writing, basketball, both playing and watching, and playing chess. Titan spent five years working as a journalist for the basketball website fadeawayworld.net, where he served as editor-in-chief for four and a half years. One of his most notable achievements was interviewing Chuck Cooper III, the son of Chuck Cooper, the first African American ever drafted by an NBA team, and writing a biography that has been praised as the most definitive article about Cooper’s legacy. Titan is the author of more than ten novels and the screenwriter of three produced short films. His newest young adult novel, Echoes of the Hardwood: Braxton Foxworthy’s Time‑Travelling Book Report, blends basketball history with heartfelt storytelling and is now available. Order here: https://a.co/d/bo7BYz1