After NBA legend Kobe Bryant lost his life in a 2020 helicopter accident, Kevin Garnett started to realize just how quickly life goes…
Over three years ago, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant tragically passed away alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna due to a helicopter in the Calabasas Hills. Friends, family, and fans around the world mourned his death and quickly put things into perspective: life is precious and can easily be taken away.
Of those affected by his death, fellow NBA star Kevin Garnett was among the many. However, during a recent appearance on Kevin Hart’s Cold As Balls, he opened up about the ways Bryant’s passing pushed him to self-improvement.
“The passing of Kob and all of us getting older helped me understand that life is not given to none of us,” Garnett explained. “I got off the bulls—.”
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More specifically, the former Boston Celtics star wanted to make amends with Ray Allen. The pair famously fell out of touch when Allen made the decision to sign with the Miami Heat. But life is too short to hold grudges, especially with someone you once considered a brother.
Garnett explained, “It would have f—ed with me if something were to happen to Ray, and I didn’t get a chance to amend this.”
After Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen ‘built’ Boston, it was difficult to let go of their bond.
“What made the Ray situation so prolific with us is because of the structure we built in Boston. The three of us built that.” the Celtics star added, referencing the three-way squad he made with Allen and Paul Pierce. “I wasn’t looking at it like, better business decision for Ray, or Ray has a chance to get another ring. I ain’t take on none of that! I was in my own feelings!”
After this decision, it made being selected to the NBA’s 75 Anniversary team in 2021 even more special. Seventy-five players were selected by coaches, players, and league executives to be honored as the best athletes of all time. Amazingly, Garnett, Allen, and Pierce were all selected. With this reconciliation in mind, Garnett was “happy” to see Allen.
“It was actually natural just to see him there and in great health,” he said. “That’s what my focus was.”
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