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Most everyone said it when the Thunder acquired Kendrick Perkins. He’s going to bring something different to town. He’s tough, he’s big, he’s physical and he’s not shy about speaking his mind. If Chris Bosh is a fake tough guy, Perkins is every bit of real tough guy as you can get. And in a locker room that’s mostly tight-lipped with every cliche down pat and ready to use in any situation, Perkins has a candidness that we haven’t really ever seen here.
In the newest issue of ESPN the Mag, Perkins and Kevin Durant were both asked a couple of the same questions with both having mostly differing opinions. All of it was pretty interesting, but the question, “Lakers: Team to beat or old news?” brought out the best in Perk.
“Yesterday’s news,” he said. “I don’t like Pau Gasol or Phil Jackson. Phil is arrogant. Pau is soft. Kobe tries to bring out his toughness, but he’s still soft.”
Well then.
Durant’s answer? “They’re the reigning champs and still playing like it.” See the difference there? Like I said, Perk might take a little getting used to. I actually wondered to myself if these quotes were even real or if I was missing the point of some kind of fictional, made up quote piece.
Other interesting answers:
Should Kendrick ease up on the technicals?
KD: “No. I love it. Off the court he’s a big teddy bear, but we need that fire and flair on the court.”
Perk: “Nope. That’s the way I am, and I can’t change. I think it motivates my team.”
James Harden’s beard: Go clean or keep growin’?
KD: “Oh keep on growing, for sure! If he cuts it, I don’t think he’ll get any ladies.”
Perk: “Keep on growing it. It’s brings out that cocky, California look in him. Don’t stop now.”
Call of Duty or NBA 2K11?
KD: “Call of Duty. It’s more of a challenge for me. 2K is too easy. Virtual KD is pretty good, know what I mean?”
Perk: “I gotta go with 2K because I’m in it. How many games can you say that about?”
OKC is ideal or Seattle got robbed?
KD: “Man, you’re putting me in a tough position. I’ll say both.”
Perk: “The move was for the best. Not taking anything away from Seattle, but it’s better for the NBA and better for Oklahoma City.”
[...] a little petty, no doubt. But that’s who he is. Like two days after the Thunder acquired him, he was calling Pau Gasol soft and Phil Jackson arrogant. He speaks his mind and he doesn’t care what you happen to think. To him, all he cares about [...]