How Kevin Garnett & Paul Pierce Became Teammates In Boston?

The beginning of an NBA game is a love-fest. Both starting line-ups take the court, then exchange a series of pounds, half-hugs, smiles worthy of Kodak commercials, and even find time for small talk.

I’m puzzled by the NBA’s pre-game ritual. It’s in direct conflict with most sports, where players are taught to despise opponents.

But the NBA is different. Opposing players show love. Hall of Fame guards Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas even smooched on the cheek before their Lakers and Pistons squared-off. And opposing players, while waiting for the jump-ball, often hold lively conversations.

I’ve always wondered what they banter about. I assumed they were comparing the essentials of an NBA player’s life: eight figure contracts, shiny spinners the size of a midget, and their wives’ surgically enhanced midgets.

Well, I was wrong. Sometimes they form a diabolical plan to take over the NBA. Check out Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett scheming at a game last year:

During a game at Minnesota last season, Pierce said he asked then-Timberwolves star Kevin Garnett, "Am I going to have to move to Minnesota or are you going to have to come to Boston?" Garnett answered, "However, you want to do it." (Marc Spears, Boston Globe)

Of course, the Celtics are undefeated, while, as Spears’ article points out, Garnett’s old Wolves are winless.

Should NBA players be chumming it up before games? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts.
 
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