Kendrick Perkins, the former New Orleans Pelicans center and current ESPN analyst, shared how a contentious comment about <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo triggered an alarming backlash. Perkins made the remarks during the 2021 Eastern Conference playoffs, discussing the roles of Giannis and teammate Khris Middleton on the Milwaukee Bucks, a comment that led to unexpected and serious consequences.
On an episode of ESPN’s First Take, Perkins controversially labeled Khris Middleton as the team’s “Batman,” while assigning Giannis the role of “Robin.” This characterization challenged the common perception that Giannis is the Bucks’ undisputed leader and clutch performer.
Explaining His Perspective on Giannis and Middleton’s Team Dynamic
Perkins elaborated that Middleton was the key figure when it mattered most in late-game situations, despite Giannis’ dominant and explosive playing style. He said,
“I’ve been preaching time and time again that he’s the Batman of this team and Giannis is the Robin and look,”
emphasizing that being “Robin” should not be seen negatively. Perkins highlighted that although Giannis is capable of overpowering defenses and driving to the basket, he often falters during critical moments.
This belief was extended further as Perkins noted Middleton’s clutch performances in crucial games and suggested that Giannis himself recognized Middleton as the leader in deciding moments. Perkins stated,
“If Khris wants to take it over in the fourth, let him do it,”
adding,
You know what? That told me that Giannis even knows that he’s the Batman on his team.”
Social Media Backlash Escalates to Threats Against Perkins
Perkins’ take did not sit well with many fans of Giannis Antetokounmpo, leading to hostile reactions online. Speaking on the “Road Trippin’” podcast hosted by Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson, Perkins disclosed that the response escalated to death threats, forcing him to inform his employer, ESPN, out of concern for his family’s safety.
He described receiving threats that were aggressively personal and frightening, saying,
“I started getting a death threat,”
and detailed some of the messages sent to his wife’s account, including threats to harm his children and comments about knowing where he lived.
Perkins continued,
“I ain’t really got time to be playing like this. So I tell, ESPN, ESPN goes and does some digging. They locked the motherf***er up. They found the dude and locked him up. This is a true story. And he was like, ‘No, no, I wasn’t serious’. Nah, motherf***er. You going to jail. Don’t play like that.”
The Wider Implications of High-Profile Commentary in the NBA
The backlash against Perkins underscores the volatile nature of social media reactions to sports commentary, especially when it involves popular figures like Giannis Antetokounmpo. The incident highlights the risks commentators face when presenting unpopular or provocative opinions, which can sometimes result in serious personal threats and require intervention from employers and law enforcement.
This occurrence also reflects ongoing debates about player roles on star-studded teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, where leadership and clutch performance are heavily scrutinized. Perkins’ experience serves as a reminder of the intense passion NBA fans feel and the potentially dangerous lengths some take in defending their favorite players.
As Perkins continues his work at ESPN, this episode may prompt networks to reassess security measures to protect analysts and contributors from fan hostility, especially in the digital era where threats can be instantaneous and pervasive.