Imagine the dynamic duo of Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett in 2008! They would have formed the ultimate guard-big combination, excelling on both ends of the court. But according to Matt Barnes, Bryant’s former teammate, the Lakers superstar guard didn’t entertain the idea. Barnes revealed on the Podcast P with Paul George that Bryant didn’t respond to Garnett, who wanted to join the Lakers. Bryant had a mindset of winning championships without relying on another superstar.

Barnes mentioned that Bryant didn’t return Garnett’s calls because he wanted to establish his own legacy without the need for another MVP-level player like Shaquille O’Neal. Bryant aimed to prove that he could win titles on his own terms.

Meanwhile, there were rumors of Garnett potentially joining the Golden State Warriors, who had gained attention with their “We Believe” team in the 2006-07 season. Barnes, who was part of that squad, believed that Garnett might join them as they were on his list of preferred destinations.

In the end, Garnett chose to join forces with Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo in the Boston Celtics, winning the championship in 2008. However, the combination of Bryant and Garnett could have been something truly captivating.

Kevin Garnett later shared on the All The Smoke podcast in June 2023 that Bryant might have wanted him as a teammate because he recognized Bryant’s talent even during the time when he played in Shaq’s shadow. Garnett expressed that his “dog” mentality aligned with Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality,” making them a compatible duo.

While many NBA fans would have eagerly anticipated Bryant and Garnett joining forces, Bryant wanted to prove himself and went on to win two more championships alongside Pau Gasol. This story further solidifies Bryant’s reputation as a fiercely competitive legend in Lakers history.