This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Kevin Garnett punked the Jazz.

He did exactly what Utah swore it wouldn't allow, and the 35-year-old Celtics forward got away with anything he wanted.

Garnett talked smack, threw elbows and rocked TD Garden on Wednesday during Boston's 94-82 victory, making Utah's pregame assertions that it's a tougher, stronger and fiercer version of its 2010-11 self sound like hollow prefight chatter.

Garnett's knockout was just one win during a 66-round battle, though, and the Jazz have proven numerous times during the 2011-12 season that their skin is becoming thicker and their growl is growing louder.

Utah will never be confused with Detroit's Bad Boys, let alone the Stockton-Malone-Sloan teams that defined an era. But everything from rookie Alec Burks' sharp edge to the raw power of young big men Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter has emboldened the Jazz. Throw in Earl Watson's bulldog mentality, Paul Millsap's willpower and point guard Devin Harris' recent cold staredown with Sacramento power forward DeMarcus Cousins, and Utah's tougher than it's been since Matt Harpring traded a uniform for a microphone.

"Nobody's going out there with the intention to fight," Jazz forward C.J. Miles said. "But we're not going to be punked, though. [Our opponent's] not going to punk nobody. That's the biggest thing."

Utah's youth has sharpened the Jazz's teeth. Kanter can be a bull in the paint, Favors is beastly, and Burks' gutsy in-game confrontation with Dallas' Brendan Haywood — who holds a six-inch, 61-pound size advantage — March 3 set the tone for a grittier, chippier Jazz.

Burks after tangling with Haywood: "I ain't soft. I ain't no punk. I ain't going to let nobody try to outhustle me or out-tough me. I'm from Kansas City. I'm not scared of nobody."

Before facing the Celtics: "You can't get pushed around. It's either kill or be killed in this league."

Post-KG: "I'm not going to be punked. I'm a grown man. You're not going to challenge my manhood."

The dirt's rubbed off on Gordon Hayward. Last year, he too often was a fresh-faced kid from Butler who deferred and backed down. This season, Hayward has at times been a revelation.

He was Utah's premier player Wednesday. Hayward attacked as soon as the ball touched his hands, scoring a team-high 19 points and delivering two nasty blocks in just five seconds.

The 22-year-old, who has defensively held his own against everyone from Kevin Durant to LeBron James, has quickly learned the best approach in a respect-driven league is a physical one.

"You kind of have to put your hands on people and really kind of force them away from what they want to do. There's a lot of guys in the NBA that don't like that. They don't appreciate that," Hayward said. "You're going to have some scuffles here and there. We have guys that aren't going to back down or anything like that. We definitely can be a tough team."

The increased edge could be a series-changer if the Jazz make the playoffs. Especially considering two of Utah's toughest players — Raja Bell and Josh Howard — are out with injuries, while center Al Jefferson's offensive game is based more around finesse than power.

The Jazz are holding each other accountable, walking with a swagger and learning the best teams use anything at their disposal to unearth victory.

But Utah's increased toughness isn't a proven commodity. Boston's Rajon Rondo replied "Who?" when Burks' name was mentioned pregame, and the Celtics point guard knows it takes years to turn talk into action.

"You can be tough all you want," Rondo said. "If you know how to play the game, you know how to play the game. … As long as you're out there competing every night and being aggressive basketball-wise, you'll get the better edge."

bsmith@sltrib.comTwitter: @tribjazzfacebook.com/tribjazz —

Kings at Jazz

P At EnergySolutions Arena

Tipoff • Friday, 7 p.m. TV • ROOT Sports

Radio • 1320 AM, 1600 AM, 98.7 FM

Records • Kings 17-33, Jazz 27-24

Last meeting • Jazz, 103-102 (March 22)

About the Kings • Sacramento has lost four straight games. The streak began with Jazz center Al Jefferson's game-winner March 22. … Jimmer Fredette has been held scoreless in three of Sacramento's past five contests and averaged 6.3 minutes in the stretch.

About the Jazz • Four of Utah's next five opponents have losing records. … Gordon Hayward has moved up to third on the Jazz in average scoring (10.6). … Utah has played its last three games with only 12 active players.