Kevin Garnett: "Reggie Evans was a huge key for me coming here."

There were a few more details revealed about the blockbuster trade between tonight’s opponents in Brooklyn that came out last night prior to the Nets pounding the Sixers 129-97 in Philadelphia.

Some very, how shall I say, “unusual” comments from Kevin Garnett.

It seems that Garnett “demanded” that Reggie Evans, yes Evans, be kept in Brooklyn and not included in the Celtics package in order for Garnett to approve the deal and waive his no-trade clause.

Evans was originally involved in the deal that shipped Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace, a signed-and-traded Keith Bogans, three future first-round draft picks, and the right to swap a fourth first-round pick to the Celtics for Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry, but was later taken out of the trade and replaced with guard MarShon Brooks.

[quote_box]“I won’t go into specific details of what I was wanting and dislikes and everything else when it came to building the business of basketball,” Garnett said before the Nets beat the 76ers, 127-97, in Monday night’s preseason game at Wachovia Center via NBC Sports.

“But I will say this: One of the key things for me was not only Paul (Pierce) and ‘Jet’ (Jason Terry) coming here with me to make it comfortable, but Reggie Evans had to be on the roster. That was a huge key for me coming here.”[/quote_box]

The respect is mutual as Evans speaks glowingly about Garnett whenever he can as the two seem to have the same mindset.  The respect level between the two is quite visible.

[quote_box]“Me and KG, we’re just clicking,” Evans said. “We are just taking advantage of this moment, and taking advantage of it is winning a championship. Sometimes you’ve got to do the little stuff, always talking to each other, communicating with each other and stuff like that.

Everything is a process and we are slowly getting to know each other on the court and off the court. Dapping each other up, all that stuff is coming natural. Ain’t nothing fake about it. It’s all just natural, which is good.”[/quote_box]

These two players could be kindred spirits the way that they play and the intensity at which they go about their craft.  Garnett has a ton more talent than Evans but what Evans lacks in talent he more than makes up for in hustle and will to win.  KG can only respect and admire a player like Evans as it is almost like looking in the mirror.

I also am very happy they kept Evans, as a reserve player that is, and did not let that great contract slip away to Boston.