When Kevin Garnett first heard about the NBA’s expansion to Abu Dhabi, he expressed a strong desire to play a role in bringing the game to this new region. As one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history, Garnett, now 48, finally made the journey to the UAE capital for the third edition of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games. This event fittingly featured his former team, the Boston Celtics, competing against the Denver Nuggets.
“I see so many developments happening, and it makes sense to bring the NBA here with all these new growth opportunities,” Garnett, who led the Celtics to a championship in 2008, told us. “When we were discussing the development of the game and how to teach the young kids, I had some strong opinions. It’s crucial that the initial interactions are done right. How you teach the game initially shapes how these kids will perceive and play it in the future. That’s why I was vocal about wanting to be involved in growing the game here.”
Since his retirement in 2016, after 21 seasons in the NBA, Garnett has remained a prominent figure in the basketball community. The NBA champion, former MVP, 15-time All-Star, and Hall-of-Famer took part in multiple community events during his time in Abu Dhabi. He engaged with fans at the NBA District, participated in Q&A sessions, and worked to promote basketball among the youth in the Emirates.
“I hope we leave a lasting impression, not only attracting new fans to watch NBA games but also inspiring them to play the sport,” Garnett said. “I’m seeing so much growth around the world, and I hope Abu Dhabi embraces basketball because it’s great for life and sport.”
The Boston Celtics recently secured their record-breaking 18th NBA title, their first since Garnett and his teammates lifted the trophy in 2008. They began their pre-season campaign with two victories over the Denver Nuggets at Etihad Arena, aiming to become the first team to defend their NBA title since the Golden State Warriors went back-to-back in 2017 and 2018.
Garnett believes the Celtics have what it takes to repeat as champions. “It’s about time, right?” he remarked on the lack of successful title defenses in recent years. “I think Boston has all the tools. When I look at the East, it’s become more competitive with teams like the Knicks and Philly, but with the two guards up front—Derrick White and [Jrue] Holiday—the Celtics have a key advantage in closing out games. Other teams in the East might not have that same guard combination. Health and other variables play a role, but overall, I like the Cs’ chances.”
White, Holiday, and Jayson Tatum, all part of Team USA, secured a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, adding international success to their NBA achievements. However, Tatum faced a challenging summer as he unexpectedly received limited playing time, even sitting out two of the six games the USA played in France.
Garnett offered his perspective on Tatum’s Olympic experience, viewing it as a positive. “If anything, it should motivate him. Sometimes setbacks, or ‘thorns’ as I call them, serve as motivation. I’m actually glad he didn’t play too many minutes. After a Finals run and no real break, getting rest is important. Watching and learning can be beneficial, and I think it’ll encourage him.”
Despite the challenges, Tatum remains motivated to guide the Celtics to another championship. He expressed his ambition to be considered one of the greatest of all time. “Anything is possible, and he’s a great player with all the tools to achieve that,” Garnett said.
“When we talk about the GOAT, it’s not just about basketball—it’s about impact on and off the court. Tatum has a strong narrative. He’s a father, a community leader, and he comes from a tough city like St. Louis. I’ve followed his journey from Duke to where he is now. He has the rare talent to be a star and carry himself confidently. He has all the tools to achieve greatness.”
