Former NBA center and championship winner with the 2008 Boston Celtics, Kendrick Perkins, has been a staple on ESPN’s First Take since he departed from the league. While his experience in the NBA is noteworthy, the player-turned-analyst has developed a notorious reputation behind ESPN’s morning desk.
Perkins has routinely doubled down on takes that are not so great–to say the least.
On June 15’s edition of the show, Perkins’ questionable take came during a discussion about Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and his future. Perkins made his pitch for an ideal destination for the 23-year-old star.
“I strongly believe that it’s time for Ja to have a change of scenery,” Perkins preluded. “I know the Memphis Grizzlies fans are gonna get up in an uproar– I’m not attacking them. I’m just talking about Ja, his well-being, and his future.”
“We just got to talking about the Miami Heat. I think that’s the culture and the organization he needs to go to.”
Shake your head and exhale that laugh past your tight smile– you’re not the only one.
The comment section on First Take’s Instagram post and Twitter reactions sang disappointment and laughter in unison. Need I state the obvious?
Morant was handed his second suspension for flashing a firearm on social media in May. The first incident happened in March following a game against the Denver Nuggets. Both incidents were captured on Instagram Live and sparked questions about Morant’s future in the NBA.
Morant is no stranger to Flordia. He used to play in the Miami Pro League, and after the first gun incident, he checked into a program in the sunshine state– one that clearly did not help him with his problems. Given the lifestyle and temptation it could present for a young superstar, Miami is the last place Morant needs to be at this point.
Perkins did not back down from his take. To be fair to him, he acknowledged the environment Morant would be in if he ended up with the Heat.
“I also know that when it comes down to the godfather, Pat Riley, there’s nothing that goes on in that city of Miami without him knowing about it.”
The Miami Heat is a well-oiled machine. They have won three titles as a franchise and reached the NBA Finals twice in the past four seasons with Erik Spoelstra and their cast of players. While Perkins is right about Pat Riley’s oversight with the team, is the drama that Morant brings what they need right now?
This idea would be great if Morant did not carry all this baggage. The thought of Morant, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo on the floor together has blockbuster written all over it. But the severity of Morant’s faults can’t just be swept under a rug. Yes, Riley, Spoelstra, and Udonis Haslem would be great mentors to have around a young superstar going through some struggles. Yes, we are hopeful that Morant finally learns from his mistakes and turns a new leaf as his basketball stardom grows. But to move him to a city like Miami is a massive gamble.
Fool me once, you get an eight-game suspension. Fool me twice in less than two months, and the league commissioner keeps the basketball world waiting to hear what Morant’s punishment will be. What follows that is still a mystery.
Most fans can agree that a change of scenery would benefit Morant. And by that, we mean Utah or Oklahoma City. We may disagree with Perkins, but we appreciate him keeping it entertaining.
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Author: Leocciano Callao
June 15, 2023 | 1:22 pm
