“Deer Hunting Season”: ESPN Employee Goes On Stunning Rant About 2021 NBA Champions’ Title Aspirations

With the turn of the calendar, this NBA season is one about parity: whether it is the ascension of young teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder, or the relative disappointment of playoff locks like the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and the Golden State Warriors. In between, we’ve had a league-altering trade for James Harden. Despite his removal, the Philadelphia 76ers continue to dominate. However, between the shocks and surprises, one team that has met expectations for the most part is the Milwaukee Bucks. That is if your name isn’t Kendrick Perkins. To him, the new superstar duo comprising Damian Lillard has been a disappointment.

Despite boasting the second-best record in the East, Perkins isn’t impressed by Milwaukee. “First, as you can see, no one is fearing the deer. Matter of fact, it is the deer-hunting season right now. It just started about a month and a half ago. So, that’s the number one thing.”

But the Boston Celtics veteran had some empirical metrics to justify his judgment as well. “Second of all, I don’t want to hear about what the Bucks’ been doing of late. Because they haven’t played anyone.”

To him, their record isn’t a true indication of how good or bad they are. Instead, his focus is on their competition. Moreover, he believes there is an easy solution to beating the 24-9 Bucks. Despite boasting a former DPOY in Giannis Antetokounmpo and another candidate in Brook Lopez, KP believes the defense is suspect for Milwaukee.

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In particular, he isn’t sure about Damian Lillard and the men on the perimeter.

Kendrick Perkins believes Damian Lillard is part of the reason for the Bucks’ woes

When the trade first broke through, the consequences were easily visible. Even though Dame was a much more dynamic offensive weapon, unlocking an unguardable attack alongside The Greek Freak, the loss of Jrue Holiday would be huge on the defensive end. So far, that downfall hasn’t been of relevance for the Bucks at 24-9.

But Perk still has his doubts. “If you have elite perimeter play, you’re going to beat the Milwaukee Bucks. When you’re looking at facing Damian Lillard, Malik Beasley, and Khris Middleton – that’s your starting 5, who’s stopping someone on the perimeter? Nobody. So, at the end of the day, until the Bucks figure it out… The Bucks are not a contending team. They haven’t beaten anyone and they haven’t shown us they can elevate their level of defense on the perimeter.”

Even though they boast one of the best records in the Conference, behind a sublime two-man attack, is Milwaukee not a true contender? Is Perkins’ old Celtics the true team to beat? Let us know in the comments below.

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