Tim Duncan hates Kevin Garnett. Hates him.

Our friends at Project Spurs were kind enough to alert us to a new Tim Duncan interview with Sports Illustrated's Chris Ballard.

Ballard's reliable sources claim Duncan hates Garnett:

In fact, Duncan hates Kevin Garnett. Hates him the way liberals hate Sean Hannity. This information comes from very reliable sources, who talk about how KG has made a career of trying to punk Duncan, baiting him and slapping him and whispering really weird smack into his ear. They talk about how funny this is, because the worst thing you can do as an opponent is piss off Duncan. Then, as Malik Rose says, "he f—— destroys you." Duncan's lifetime numbers versus Garnett's teams, by the way: 19.4 points per game, 11.6 boards and a 44–17 record, including the postseason.

Duncan is diplomatic about the topic. Asked if perhaps all those years battling Garnett have softened his feelings for the man, led to a Magic-Larry type of kinship, Duncan leans back on the couch in his hotel room and grins. There is a pause. A longer pause. Finally he says, "Define kinship."

Not surprising. Duncan is the quiet professional, while Garnett is the loud mouth. 

Maybe these guys can settle this in a dark gym, a la Apollo Creed vs Rocky Balboa.