Since Kendrick Perkins joined ESPN in 2019, he has been granted several opportunities to display his basketball proficiency and expertise across a variety of network programming. Perkins regularly appears on editions of NBA Today and NBA Countdown throughout the regular season and playoffs, along with morning shows such as Get Up and First Take. As ESPN prepares to cover the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and whichever team comes out of the Western Conference, Perkins took time Thursday to delineate his expectations for the series as two teams battle to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy victorious.
Perkins, who signed a multiyear contract extension with ESPN in 2021, is considered by many consumers to be a rising star in sports media, and he encompasses one of various former NBA centers thriving in this regard. While speaking about the NBA Finals, he addressed the notion that big men are wiser than their counterparts on the playing floor and can translate that aptitude to analysis and commentary.
“Well, because one, big men just have better personality than guards do,” Perkins said. “That’s it. That’s No. 1. We’re authentic.”
Part of the rationale behind Perkins’ answer was the proclivity that big men become subject to unwanted conversations whenever they walk into a room. He explained that those conversations often begin with a comment about their height and other people wondering how tall they are. From there, they get into a conversation with strangers that they do not know and are able to grow out of any reticence or insecurity.
“But it’s real cool to watch a lot of guys just come into this space,” Perkins said. “Obviously, you’ve got Charles Barkley and Shaq, but then even when you look at Udonis Haslem coming into this space, real authentic, great personality, he’s funny as hell. But it also shows that we know the game, as well.”
Perkins elucidated that he perceives it to be a problem that more big men are not becoming head coaches in the NBA, asserting that they are not given a fair shot. Instead, he observes shooting guards and point guards occupying the sidelines in the NBA. Perkins conveyed that there are more people that know the game of basketball rather than the former guards that used to play the game.
“It’s just part of it, but I’m glad the big men are stepping up for the league, man,” Perkins said. “Because when you look at NBA TV, you have Brandon Haywood who does an excellent job. Who else? You have Channing Frye. So, there’s personalities all across the board.”
Perkins continues to divulge his opinions and insights on the NBA leading up to the NBA Finals, which officially commence on June 6 from TD Garden in Boston, Ma. Coverage of the game on ABC will feature play-by-play announcer Mike Breen, analysts Doris Burke and JJ Redick and sideline reporter Lisa Salters.
