Is Kendrick Perkins a Kevin Durant hater? The two had a beef long back when KD left Oklahoma City Thunder for Golden State Warriors. There was an exchange of words over social media platforms where Perkins criticized KD’s move. Meanwhile, Kevin had judged the former for his stats and contribution to the game. Now, a recent comparison by Perkins between Anthony Edwards and KD has caused the fans to label Kendrick as a Kevin Durant hater if he was not before.
Appearing on NBA Central, Perkins was asked what playing with a young player like Edwards does to the team. The question’s premise was Perkins having prior experience of playing alongside many such players during his time. However, the 39-year-old replied that he never had an experience of playing with a great young player like Edwards. “No disrespect to KD, no disrespect to Russ or James Harden,” he said.
“I never played with a young great player like that.” 👀
– Kendrick Perkins on Anthony Edwards
(h/t @TheWestbrookEra )pic.twitter.com/cWiG2psa6I
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 21, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Notably, Anthony Edwards has averaged 22.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game in his 4 seasons so far. On the other hand, during the 4 seasons Kevin Durant played Kendrick, he averaged 29.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. Even in his first four seasons of the NBA, when KD was as young as Edwards is at present, the ex-OKC star had a better stat-line than Anthony.
This clearly reflects that irrespective of what Perkins says, Kevin Durant has more to show on paper as compared to Edwards as of now. And therefore, this comparison by Kendrick without any backing from data was bound to bring heat on him from the basketball community.
Fans react to Kendrick Perkins’ comparison of Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis
The comment section of the post by NBACentral to almost its entirety lashed out at Perkins for his statement. While some believe that Perkins is just a KD hater, some pointed out the irony in his no disrespect remark. However, Jon Gonzalvo believes that apart from a KD hater, Kendrick could be a troll or maybe both.
Dude's either a troll or a hater.. or both.
— Gonzi (@JonGonzalvo) April 21, 2024
Meanwhile, Joe’s Picks highlighted the hypocrisy in mentioning the intention to not disrespect but then doing the exact same thing. Moreover, Picks has no faith in Kendricks’ statement about Anthony Edawards and believes he is “lying through his teeth”.
“No disrespect” then proceeds to disrespect 2 hall of famers on national television WHILE LYING THROUGH HIS TEETH LMAO
— Joe’s Picks (@Joes_Picks) April 21, 2024
However, not everyone was as direct with their attacks on Kendrick. Some X users took a sarcastic approach to take a dig at the 39-year-old. One user pointed out the reason Perkins saying that he never played with a player as young and talented as Edwards.
He's not wrong though. He didn't play with KD, Russ, Harden or Kyrie. He was always on the bench.
— FantaSea (@YourboyLM) April 21, 2024
In the meantime, though very few, there were some who supported Kendricks’ view of Edwards.
Yall not understanding.. ANT IS DIFFERENT 🐐
— HIMNUBIS (@LowLowDean) April 21, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Another user supporting Kendricks spotlighted how the 39-year-old had stated that Edwards has leadership qualities, which, according to him, players like Kevin Durant and Russel Westbrook lack.
Y’all missing the point Anthony Edward’s is carrying his own team with no other star! We saw how KD looked without Russ and Harden in the playoffs. Also KD is not a leader, Harden is not a leader, when Westbrook took over the team he was not there.
— AC Tha G (@The713AC) April 21, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
However, this support for Kendrick Perkins is negligible to what the backlash has been against him. Now, it is to be seen if this comparison by Perkins can draw in some comments by Kevin Durant, thus reigniting an old feud.