Kevin Garnett Explains ‘Cancer Patient’ Comments to George Karl Following Celtics-Nuggets Matchup

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Dec 9, 2010

Kevin Garnett Explains 'Cancer Patient' Comments to George Karl Following Celtics-Nuggets Matchup Kevin Garnett wasn't going into great detail surrounding his postgame conversation with Nuggets head coach George Karl, but he didn't have to. His actions spoke louder than words.

Garnett walked up to Karl after the Celtics picked up a 105-89 victory over the Denver Nuggets to discuss a recent controversy in the NBA. It was one that involved Garnett, Charlie Villanueva and a 'he-said, he-said' verbal spat where Villanueva accused Garnett of calling him a "cancer patient" during a game.

Karl is a two-time cancer survivor — currently in recovery from throat and neck cancer just a few years after beating prostate cancer. When he initially heard about Garnett's comments, Karl said he was "disappointed" and said that the Celtics forward "crossed the line," according to The Denver Post.

After Wednesday night's game, Garnett wanted to clear the air with Karl, to let him know that his words were misunderstood.

"I went up to him as a man, and I said that I had nothing personal toward him, nor any other cancer patients that are out there struggling, dealing with life situations," Garnett said. "I wanted to stay that to him, man-to-man."

Karl concurred that he had a "man-to-man" discussion with Garnett, and added that he appreciated the postgame gesture.

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