It was the Boston Celtics’ first duck boat parade in 16 years, and fans were buzzing with nostalgia. But one familiar face was noticeably absent: Kendrick Perkins. As a key player in the 2008 championship team, many expected Perkins to be there alongside his former team. Yet, Perkins, now 39 and a familiar face on ESPN, was nowhere in sight. Rumors have since swirled, with some saying the Celtics banned Perkins from the event due to his recent strong opinions on Jayson Tatum and the current Celtics roster. And it seems Perkins might be persona non grata on Banner Night as well.

These days, Perkins isn’t exactly welcome at TD Garden. Despite his significant role in bringing Banner 17 home with legends like Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen (who did show up for the ceremony), Perkins has been coldly cut off. His blunt critiques on air apparently didn’t sit well with the Celtics organization, which has now allegedly blackballed him from any official team events.

According to The U.S. Sun, sources claimed Perk was “asking everyone to get a spot at TD Garden,” to be part of Banner Night, hoping to mend ties. Perkins quickly shot down the report on his X account, saying, “Sounds like you’re WRONG. This is completely False. I never had plans on attending Banner night and I’ve never reached out to anyone in the Celtics organization about attending banner night.” Perkins made it clear he’s not interested in making peace—or as he said, “Carry the hell on.”

Then, there’s Brian Scalabrine, Perkins’ former teammate, who hinted that the Celtics weren’t too eager to have Perkins at the parade. Scalabrine, now a commentator himself, implied the cold shoulder was very real. Perkins didn’t hold back either, calling Scalabrine a “coward” on Boston’s Felger and Mazz show.

As it turns out, Kendrick Perkins isn’t losing sleep over being snubbed by the Celtics. Reports suggest team owner Wyc Grousbeck personally banned Perkins from Boston’s iconic duck boat parade, but Perkins couldn’t care less. Instead of dwelling on the absence, he’s made it clear he’s not fazed by missing out on Banner Night or any other Celtics celebration.

Kendrick Perkins opened up on the parade invitation

“Was I the only 2008 member missing from the duck boat? No, I wasn’t,” he pointed out, listing other former teammates who also skipped out. But even if he had been invited, Perkins admitted, “nine times out of 10, I would’ve turned it down.”

Appearing on the Mark Jackson Show, Kendrick Perkins made it clear that he didn’t appreciate Brian Scalabrine’s comments about him skipping the Celtics’ duck boat tour. Despite their history, Perkins didn’t hold back. “I was like, I never said I wanted to come… It wasn’t my moment or 2008 moment. It was 2024’s moment. Let them have their moment,” he said. But Perkins didn’t just leave it there.

He’s been vocal about his take on the Boston fanbase, saying that they expect undying loyalty. “Boston fans, they expect you to be married to them for life, right? Like a sense of entitlement, like, you owe them your life,” Perkins shared on the same show. While his words might sound harsh to some, it’s clear that Perk has strong feelings about fan expectations and the pressure that comes with them.

How it all started?

Since his playing days, Kendrick Perkins has carved out a name for himself at ESPN, becoming known for his no-holds-barred analysis. He’s often unfiltered, speaking his mind on everything from players to coaches. Even LeBron James has reportedly felt the sting of Perkins’ critiques. And the Celtics haven’t escaped his scrutiny either. Perkins has taken aim at the team’s star, Jayson Tatum, and didn’t mince words when Tatum’s performance disappointed him. “I’m so over Jayson Tatum. When is he going to arrive?” he questioned, expressing his frustrations openly.

One of Perkins’ most talked-about moments came after a game in 2022, when he claimed Tatum looked “scared as hell.” He also took to social media, hinting that the Celtics’ Finals series was “boring.”

And if that wasn’t enough, Perkins recently went after Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, suggesting that Mazzulla’s approach lacked creativity. “And you wonder, if you take his brain out and you put it in a bird, the bird is going to start flying backward,” he quipped. Perkins’ jabs, whether about players or coaches, are as sharp as ever, making him a divisive figure among Boston fans and the Celtics alike.

And while he still appreciates the Celtics for what they gave him, Perkins has already left that chapter behind. “They raised me,” he shared on the Mark Jackson show, acknowledging his roots with the team. But it’s all in the past now. Since retiring, Perkins hasn’t been back to Boston on his own dime, only returning when work called for it. “I haven’t been back to Boston on my own dime since I was traded from there in 2011… The times I went back to Boston was work-related,” he admitted. Clearly, for Perkins, the Celtics chapter is closed—no hard feelings, just a part of his history.