ESPN basketball analyst Kendrick Perkins was on NBA Today previewing Game 1 of the NBA Finals Thursday where the topic was brought up regarding Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and his comments on Dallas Mavericks’ guard Kyrie Irving.
While James would tout Irving saying that he wishes that was his “running mate” again, Perkins took issue with his comments saying he is stealing the spotlight.
“Here we go again,” Perkins said. “Bron weaseling his way into somebody else’s moment…This is not about you! Your team is at home. This is about the Mavs and the Celtics, but yet you’re so mad and disappointed that you’re not Kyrie Irving’s running mate anymore. Here we go again.”
“Here we go again, [LeBron James] weaseling his way into somebody else’s moment… This is not about you! Your team is at home… You’re so mad & disappointed that you’re not Kyrie Irving’s running mate anymore.” — Kendrick Perkins 😳 (via @espn / YT)
“[I’m] so f*cking happy…and to watch him continue his growth… and at the same time, I’m so f*cking mad that I am not his running mate anymore… He’s the most gifted player the NBA has ever seen.” LeBron James on Kyrie Irving. (via @mindthegamepod) pic.x.com/yfvyl4jvap
Lakers’ James uses NSFW response in regards to Irving’s success
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) guards Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
What prompted Perkins to air out his thoughts on the topic rooted from a conversation between the Lakers star in James and former player JJ Redick on their podcast “Mind The Game” about Irving and his success with Dallas this postseason. James would show how passionate he is with an NSFW response about his former teammate on the Cleveland Cavaliers where they won a championship in 2016
“I’m so f—ing happy and so proud to watch him continue his growth,” James said to Redick on their show which aired on Tuesday. “I’m so f—ing mad at the same time that I’m not his running mate anymore…He’s the most gifted player the NBA has ever seen.”
“[I’m] so f*cking happy…and to watch him continue his growth… and at the same time, I’m so f*cking mad that I am not his running mate anymore… He’s the most gifted player the NBA has ever seen.” LeBron James on Kyrie Irving. (via @mindthegamepod)
Irving reacts to James’ comments
Irving was asked about the Lakers stars’ comments during NBA Finals media day Wednesday and even poked fun at the fact that was the first question asked of his media availability. However, he would say that he was flattered about his comments and that their friendship is still prominent according to ESPN.
“Obviously, I’m in a different age, different place in my life. So is he. I think we both have been able to mature and really appreciate what we got a chance to accomplish,” Irving said. “I think there were some things that got in the way of our relationship when I was a little bit younger. Now that I’m able to vocalize how I feel as a man, be comfortable in it, stand on my square, my beliefs, where I’m coming from, I feel like our relationship’s different because of that now.”
“Definitely miss him,” Irving continued. “Man, when he says comments like that, I think back to us having those moments where we’re down in a series, up in a series, we’re really demanding greatness from each other. Off the court, our families meshing well. … I definitely think about those times.”
In any sense, Irving is preparing for the NBA Finals while James and Los Angeles prepare for next season, but first, they are looking to lock down their new head coach which could be Redick or even UConn’s Dan Hurley.
