In today’s NBA discourse, only a few spark conversation quite like the legends. Former Celtics big man turned ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins has gained popularity for his often excessive openness as he is often seen speaking boldly regarding the present stars of the NBA. From MVP arguments to historical comparisons, “Perk” rarely backs down from a strong viewpoint. But even for his standards, his most recent assertion about Nikola Jokic left jaws on the floor.
A soundbite that fast went viral on social media started it all and is showing no signs of slowing down. When asked how he would have matched-up against three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, Perkins offered a line both shocking and dramatic: “Jokic wouldn’t have wanted this smoke. Kobe said I was the best post-defender in the league.”
Equal parts pride and nostalgia, that divisive comment generated varied reactions, but former teammate Nate Robinson’s reply made the event famous and worth noting. But before all that, do note that in their only NBA game, a 20-year-old Nikola Jokic outperformed veteran Kendrick Perkins, scoring 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting, while Perkins went scoreless with only two rebounds in 17 minutes.
Robinson, never one to shy away from locker room-style banter, reposted a post of the quote from his Instagram story (via-courtsidebuzzig) with a sharp caption: “@kendrickperkins this has to stop bro, I love u big dawg but joker scoring 100 on you lol.” The story not only drew attention because it was humorous but also because it publicly questioned Perkins’ self-praise credibility. But while fans were in splits over the light-hearted teasing, Perkins didn’t exactly see it that way.
In a second Instagram story, Perkins fired back: “It was a joke bro and the crazy thing @naterobinson you never post anything positive when it comes to me just the bullshit.” Although the first Jokic remark might have been tongue-in-cheek, Perkins obviously interpreted Robinson’s message as more than friendly fire. However what came next was either nail in the coffin or the start of a new dispute after Nate responded to this story.
Nate Robinson vs Kendrick Perkins: Brotherhood or Ego Clash?
Nate Robinson wasn’t about to let it slide. In a third story, he pushed back while keeping the tone light: “Bro I was being goofy, I dnt even work for espn like you, u can talk and make jokes about folks but I can’t joke with my brother smh make it make sense perk, joker still cooking ur a** lol.” The response highlighted a deeper frustration: Nate was calling out the divide between media personality and former teammate having been blurred.
Not only is the spat’s content interesting, but so is the dynamic it shows. People used to love both Perkins and Robinson for how energetic they were on the court and in the locker room. But now that Perkins is in the news and Robinson isn’t working with analysts and has recently recovered from his kidney problems, the balance of power has changed. Robinson had an 11-season career, and Perkins, on the other hand, had played for 14 seasons. What might have been harmless banter between ex-teammates is now seen through the lens of platform, visibility, and how the public sees them.
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 18: ESPN Analyst, Kendrick Perkins, reports on the 2022 NBA Draft Combine on May 18, 2022 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
Still, the moment serves as a reminder of how modern NBA conversation is as much about who controls the narrative as it is about the sport itself. Whether the 2008 NBA title winner Perkins truly believes he could edge over Jokic is beside the point. What matters is that the fans are paying close attention to the Robinson after his return to the mainstream since recovering from a hiatus transplant. However, the 3-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner wasn’t afraid to call out the exaggeration – even if, in his words, “joker still cooking ur a** lol.”
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