NBA superstars, taking their grudges with them
Kevin Garnett was ejected from Brooklyn Nets’ 99-113 loss to Houston Rockets last night for a couple of flagrant fouls. Garnett and Howard have previous, from their respective Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic days, and were at the mutual niggle, in New York.
The pair tangled in the final quarter as Howard chased down a rebound. Pushing ensued before Garnett lost it and flung a ball at Howard’s chest. For good measure, he laid on a head-butt and was turfed out of the contest.
Post-game, Howard told ESPN, ‘(It) doesn’t matter. We won the game. That’s what matters,” Howard said. “We’ve got 82 games and the playoffs. I’ll do my damage when it’s time.’
Rockets coach Kevin McHale also played down the incident. He remarked, ‘In the good old days, that was a play-on,” McHale said. “Now, they throw people out. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.’
Interestingly, Howard has described Garnett as one of his basketball idols. Both players were recruited to the NBA straight out of high school.
