It’s a strange time to be an American right now. Whether you’re black or white or anything in between, the chaos and controversy that has plagued the nation these past few months have been nothing short of intense.
All different kinds of people have been speaking lately, and the sports world is no exception to that. But for now, let’s talk basketball.
Former NBA big man (and current ESPN basketball analyst) Kendrick Perkins sat down with Alex Kennedy on the HoopsHype Podcast to discuss several topics. Of course, among the most interesting subjects was LeBron James.
Let’s say the NBA season is able to resume on July 31, who is your pick to win the NBA championship?
KP: Man, listen, it’s hard to go against the Lakers because they have Anthony Davis and LeBron James, who, in my opinion, are arguably the best duo since Kobe and Shaq. So, it’s hard to go against those guys. I mean, I would have to give a slight edge to the Lakers.
Many criticize Perk for his avid defense of LeBron. But in his chat, he also made it clear that he is just trying to appreciate greatness.
I’ve seen some people on Twitter say that you’re biased toward LeBron James.
KP: Why? How? I don’t understand it. I’m biased because I appreciate greatness? When he’s gone, the game is going to miss him. So because I give LeBron James his flowers [while he’s here], I’m biased toward LeBron? I’m not biased toward LeBron. I don’t work for LeBron, I don’t work for Klutch. I work for ESPN. At the end of the day, if a guy’s playing great basketball and we’re witnessing an all-time great (arguably the greatest player of all time) and he’s still playing the game of basketball at his highest level, if me giving him his flowers and his praises and his just due is being biased, that is crazy to me.
All-in-all, it seems Perk isn’t letting public chatter sway his views. Despite what anyone may think, he’s not on LBJ’s payroll.
He is just calling it how he sees it. And for a dude who’s averaging 25.7 points, 10.6 assists, and 7.9 rebounds at 35-years-old, is that not worthy of some recognition?
