Minnesota Timberwolves

T-wolves' Rubio on playing with Garnett: 'He kills for you'

Published Aug. 26, 2015 12:08 a.m. ET

foxsports

Kevin Garnett probably isn’t a guy you want to play against on the hardwood. But play with? Now that’s a different story.

The future NBA Hall of Famer is regarded as one of the best teammates in the NBA — as long as you’re working just as hard as him (though, frankly, that’s probably pretty difficult to do).

It’s a lesson that one of Garnett’s Minnesota Timberwolves teammates found out firsthand when The Big Ticket was traded back to the team that drafted and groomed him as the fiercest competitor in the NBA last February.

Ricky Rubio admitted in an interview with Rambler.com that he admired Garnett growing up, but was actually slightly afraid of him before the two met in person.

“When I was growing up, I watched a lot of KG’s games and I was a little afraid,” Rubio said. “When he came to the team I was concerned but at the same time I was super excited, because I had a chance to play with him in 2012 locally.”

Rubio says the terrifying man fans see on TV isn’t quite who Garnett is off the court.

“He’s not that guy that it seems on the basketball court,” Rubio explained. “He’s really a good guy, nice guy, and helps your teammates. He kills for you. If you’re on the same team, he kills for you and you want that kind of teammate.”

It’s that passion and personality that made Garnett one of the greatest players the NBA has ever seen and continues to make him a valuable addition to a young and promising Minnesota locker room.

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