June 17, 2008. If you were watching the NBA Finals that night, you didn’t just see a basketball game. You witnessed a literal exorcism on live television.
The Boston Celtics had just absolutely dismantled the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 6—a 131-92 beatdown that felt more like a statement than a clincher. But the scoreboard isn't what people remember. They remember the man in the middle of the hardwood, eyes squeezed shut, veins popping out of his neck, screaming a phrase that became an instant part of the sports lexicon.
Kevin Garnett we did it—or rather, the feeling behind those words—was the culmination of twelve years of frustration, doubt, and "almosts" in Minnesota.
The Moment Everything Boiled Over
Michele Tafoya was the one who had to try and corral him for the post-game interview. Good luck with that. KG wasn't just happy; he was vibrating. He was "hype," as he put it, but even that word feels too small for the raw, unadulterated chaos coming out of him.
When he finally let out that iconic, lung-collapsing "ANYTHING IS POOOOOOSSIIIIIBLLLLLLE!" it wasn't just a catchy slogan for a Gatorade commercial. It was a guy who had been told for a decade that he couldn't win the big one finally dropping the weight of the world off his shoulders.
Most people actually misremember the exact sequence. They think he just yelled the slogan and walked away. Honestly, the interview was a mess in the best way possible. He was crying. He was laughing. He was shouting out "everyone in 'Sota" (Minnesota), proving that even in his greatest moment in a green jersey, a part of him was still a Timberwolf.
Why "We Did It" Meant More Than a Trophy
For Garnett, this wasn't just about a ring. It was about vindication. Remember, he spent 12 seasons in Minnesota. He was the MVP. He was the best defensive player on the planet. And yet, he couldn't get past the Lakers or the Spurs. He was the "stat stuffer" who couldn't lead a team to the promised land.
When he got traded to Boston in 2007, the narrative shifted. Suddenly, he was part of the "Big Three" with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. But there was massive pressure. If they didn't win it all in year one, the experiment would be labeled a failure.
So when the buzzer sounded, "Kevin Garnett we did it" wasn't just a message to his teammates. It was a message to:
- The critics who said he was too emotional to lead.
- The fans in Minneapolis who he felt he let down.
- The ghost of Bill Russell (who actually told KG before the season that he'd give Garnett one of his own rings if he didn't win one).
The Bully Metaphor You Probably Forgot
Everyone knows the "Anything is possible" line. It’s on every highlight reel. But fewer people remember his "bully" metaphor from that same night. KG described winning the title as finally standing up to the school bully.
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He talked about how, for years, he’d walk through the school doors (the NBA season) knowing the bully was waiting to "pat his pockets" and mess with him. Winning the championship was the moment he finally "laid his a** out." That’s how personal this was for him. It wasn't just a trophy; it was the end of a decade-long cycle of being pushed around by teams with more help.
Breaking Down the Impact
Let’s be real: modern NBA celebrations are kinda corporatized now. Players are thinking about their brand, their sneakers, their post-game fit. KG was wearing a jersey soaked in sweat and champagne, a crooked hat, and zero filter.
He didn't care how he looked. He looked like a man who had survived a war.
The Cultural Ripple
That interview changed how we view "intensity" in the league. You see it now in guys like Anthony Edwards or Draymond Green—that "on-the-edge" passion. But KG was the blueprint. He showed that it was okay for a grown man to cry on national TV because he cared that much about a game.
| Aspect of the Moment | Why It Stuck |
|---|---|
| The Shoutout | Mentioning Minnesota showed a level of loyalty rarely seen in trades. |
| The Raw Emotion | It wasn't a PR-scripted "I'm just happy to be here" speech. |
| The Legend Hug | Embracing Bill Russell bridged the gap between the old Celtics and the new. |
What Most People Get Wrong
People think Garnett was always the "alpha" of that team because he was the loudest. But if you listen to Doc Rivers or Paul Pierce talk about that 2008 run, they’ll tell you Garnett was the most selfless. He sacrificed his scoring to anchor the defense.
The "we did it" sentiment was real. He wasn't saying "I did it." He was obsessed with the concept of Ubuntu—a Zulu word meaning "I am because we are." That was the Celtics' mantra that year. It’s why he was so quick to credit Ray, Paul, Rajon Rondo, and even the bench guys like Powe and House.
How to Channel That "KG Energy" Today
If you're a fan looking back at that 2008 run, there’s a lot more to take away than just a cool YouTube clip.
- Focus on the "Exorcism": What’s the "bully" in your life? Garnett’s win wasn’t about the Lakers; it was about his own internal doubts. Tackle the thing that scares you most.
- Loyalty Matters: Even when he moved on, he didn't forget where he came from. He still roots for the Wolves (well, maybe not the owner, but the team).
- Collective over Individual: Garnett’s stats dropped in Boston, but his legacy exploded. Sometimes doing less "for yourself" results in much more for your career.
The next time you see a clip of Kevin Garnett we did it, don't just laugh at the screaming. Look at the relief. It’s a reminder that no matter how long the struggle lasts—twelve years in a cold city with no help—the payoff is worth every single drop of sweat.
Go watch the full, unedited interview on YouTube. Pay attention to the moment he hugs Bill Russell right after. You can see the exact second the "warrior" persona cracks and he becomes a kid again, just happy to make his idol proud. That’s the real story.
If you're looking for a way to dive deeper into this era, I'd highly recommend checking out Garnett's memoir, KG: A to Z. He goes into detail about the "Anything is Possible" moment and how he felt like he was having an out-of-body experience during that interview. It's a great look into the mind of one of the most intense humans to ever walk the earth.