Perk is at it again, and Richard Jefferson is tired of it.
ESPN’s NBA Today crew is in Boston ahead of Thursday night’s Game 6 matchup between the Warriors and the Celtics. Host Malika Andrews asked the inflammatory Kendrick Perkins what he expected out of Steph Curry in the closeout situation for the Dubs. Of course, he gave a provocative take.
“Absolutely nothing,” Perkins said. “And let me tell you why. He’s coming into the Garden. He’s coming into a hostile environment. I know he dropped 43 in Game 4, but it’s not happening tonight. The Boston Celtics are gonna come out with a lot of pride. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown gonna be on fire."
By that point, Jefferson, his fellow former NBA player and current co-analyst, was slumped over the desk.
“You literally don’t believe any of this,” Jefferson said. “You literally told me the complete opposite five minutes ago.”
But Perk doubled down as Andrews and Jefferson couldn’t even look at him.
“I don’t expect that this game is even gonna be close,” Perkins said. “Boston is gonna win this game in great fashion. Look, you think you were mad when Kyrie Irving stomped on Lucky (the mascot logo at halfcourt), just imagine if he’s getting drowned in champagne. That is something you do not want. Boston is winning. Steph Curry has no effect. I don’t expect nothing out of Steph.”
At this point, Perk is probably a persona non grata for the Warriors. Perk has been trying to provoke Draymond Green all postseason. Draymond’s mom even threw some shade at Perk recently.
On Wednesday, Curry called himself “the petty king” and said he sees everything on social media, so this clip might get to him before tip-off. Not that he needs any motivation from Perk while a fourth championship and potential first career Finals MVP dangling in front of him.
