BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Joakim Noah grew up looking up to Kevin Garnett.
On Sunday, he was just trying to avoid being bit by the Brooklyn Nets big man.
“Yo, man, he tried to bite me, man,’’ Noah said, after the Bulls beat Garnett’s team 102-84. “That’s crazy man. I mean, it’s unbelievable. Kevin Garnett tried to bite me. It’s unbelievable. I don’t even know what to say.’’
Noah and Garnett have a history, and not a good one, starting with Noah his rookie year. Garnett reportedly doesn’t have a lot of respect for rookies, so when Noah – who admittedly looked up to Garnett as a player – tried befriending him in their first meeting, well, it was a chilly reception.
Over the years, the two have had their run ins, but Sunday was a first. An actual biting attempt.
“After he tried to bite me? Nah. I didn’t,’’ Noah said, when asked if he said anything to Garnett after the latest incident. “He tried to bite me man. I’m happy he didn’t connect. If somebody tries to bite you, I think it’s a little bit more than trying to get in your head. It’s pretty amazing.
“I have fun playing against him when we win. We’ve been doing some winning against him lately. I know how competitive he is and I know it drives him crazy to lose like that. I’m not worried about Kevin Garnett. I’m just worried about us, staying healthy and getting better. That’s really all I care about.’’
Email: jcowley@suntimes.com
Twitter: @suntimes_hoops
