In a fiery take that’s lighting up social media, former NBA player and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins has once again stirred the pot—this time by calling out what he sees as a glaring double standard in how NBA stars are treated. The focus? Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and four-time champion LeBron James.
“Let’s keep it real,” Perkins began during a heated segment. “LeBron James is 40 years old, still carrying a team, and the moment he shows signs of fatigue, everybody’s ready to bury him. But when Jokic looks gassed, suddenly it’s, ‘Oh, he needs more help.’ What are we doing?!”
Perkins’ comments come in the wake of Jokic’s underwhelming playoff performance, where the reigning champs looked anything but dominant. Jokic, who has been hailed as the best player in the world by many, showed clear signs of fatigue as the Denver Nuggets struggled to keep up with a younger, hungrier opponent.
Meanwhile, LeBron James—who’s pushing two decades in the league—is still dropping 25+ points a night, dishing assists, grabbing boards, and playing big minutes. And yet, when he looks tired, critics swarm in with accusations that he’s washed, finished, or holding the Lakers back.
“The media picks and chooses who gets protected and who gets picked apart,” Perkins continued. “Jokic gets all the praise when he’s dominating, but when he’s out of gas, people are quick to make excuses. LeBron? He’s got to be superhuman every night or he’s ‘not the GOAT anymore.’ It’s ridiculous.”
Fans are split. Some agree with Perkins, pointing to a clear bias in media narratives, while others argue that Jokic has less help and is being unfairly targeted.
Regardless of where you stand, one thing’s clear: Perkins isn’t afraid to call it how he sees it—and this time, he’s pulling no punches.
Is Kendrick Perkins right? Are the media and fans holding LeBron James to a higher standard while giving Jokic a pass? Or is it just part of the game when you’re considered the greatest of all time? Sound off in the comments below
