Former NBA Player lauds Lakers New Addition Dion Waiters for his contribution

The Los Angeles Lakers‘ defeat against the Toronto Raptors has caused quite a stir in the NBA community. The beginning of the season started off well for the Lakers when they came out victorious against the Los Angeles Clippers. However, the defeat arose a lot of questions against them. Whether they will be able to hold on to No.1 seed position for long.

Even though the expectations of certain people on Lakers are wavering, there are still some who are still in support of the great team who has proven itself time and again. Former NBA player, Kendrick Perkins is one of them.  Dion Waiters was signed by the Lakers in March and Perkins seems to have blind faith in his performance.

Kendrick Perkins not concerned about Lakers

In an interview with Stephen A. Smith and Jay Williams, Kendrick Perkins goes all out to defend Lakers and Dion Waiters in particular. He says,” The question is, do I have concerns about the Lakers? And I don’t. That’s why they traded for another top-five player in the league, Anthony Davis, who’s capable of giving you 40 points, 20 rebounds, 8 blocks, 5 assists, and 4 steals.”  He goes ahead calling Davis ‘batman’ who can get the job done.

Smith disagrees and counters by saying,” Well James Harden is giving you 36 and Russel giving you 27.” Perkins then attacks Jay Williams and brings up Williams praising Dion Waiters before. ” And Jay Will, you were one here praising just a couple of weeks ago, you were sitting up here praising Dion Waiters and saying how was the great pickup and how he could create for himself and for others”. 

Narrating Waiters’ performance so far, he says,” If you’ve been watching the scrimmages, he’s been having over 5 assists. He’s been dishing out the ball.” He then throws questions at Smith and Williams. ” Have he not been throwing lives at the rim, have he not been driving to the paint kicking out for three-point shots. That’s called creating for others. “

Jay Williams counters,” That’s fine for Dion Waiters to do this in the regular season. You and I both know that when it comes time for the playoffs and the density in the air thickens, We’ll see how Dion Waiters handles that pressure along with Jr. Smith.” He elaborates that the real challenge for the Lakers is to find that consistent player who steps up when needs besides Lebron James.

Perkins angrily interrupts Williams and says that Dion is someone who is battle-tested and has proven himself well in the past as well. Williams and Smith disapprove of the way Kendrick speaks to them and the argument becomes very heated.

PR for Lebron

Perkins has been in trouble before for defending the Lakers and Lebron all the time. Sports columnist and host of the show ‘Undisputed’, Skip Bayless had a twitter beef with Perkins. Perkins called Lebron the most athletic guy in the NBA. Bayless ended up calling Perkins Lebron’s PR guy and Perkins called him an old man after that.

SOURCE: Kendrick Perkins fights to give Dion Waiters some credit | First Take