The rivalry between former Oklahoma City Thunder teammates Kevin Durant and Kendrick Perkins has been a consistent theme in their post-NBA careers, marked by occasional flare-ups of animosity.
Now, a decade after their time together on the Thunder, Perkins has made a bold claim that he was the true leader of a team that also featured stars such as Russell Westbrook and James Harden, guiding them to several Conference Finals.
“It doesn’t mean your best player is your leader,” Perkins asserted. “When I was with the Thunder, it wasn’t KD, it wasn’t Russ, it wasn’t James, I was the one leading.”
He elaborated, stating, “I was the glue. KD knows. When I got in there, I made sure that everyone was on the same page. I made sure we were all a unit…Ask Troy Weaver, Sam Presti, you can even ask Scott Brooks. KD knows!”
However, Durant apparently sees things differently, as the 15-time All-Star seemingly dismissed Perkins’ claims, stating, “This comment is by far the craziest s*** I’ve seen this week.”
I know this may be a reach but this comment is by far the craziest shit I’ve seen this week https://t.co/kNbncZhIUH
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) February 6, 2025
Perkins has also criticized Durant’s perceived shortcomings in leadership, particularly highlighting his inability to secure a championship while with the Thunder, Brooklyn Nets, and currently, the Phoenix Suns. “Another organization, another failure for Kevin Durant,” Perkins said.
Kendrick Perkins & Bob Myers debate Phoenix being another failed organization for Kevin Durant pic.twitter.com/s4QYPBfGY7
— Alex 👋 (@Dubs408) February 6, 2025
This tension can largely be traced back to Durant’s controversial decision to leave the Thunder for the Warriors after their 2015-16 Western Conference Finals defeat. Perkins previously called out this choice on social media in 2020.
“Boy stop you did the weakest move in NBA history!!! Up on a team 3-1 in the western conference finals and then go join them the following season?! Heart of Champion right there.”
Kevin Durant and Kendrick Perkins exchange some words over Twitter👀 pic.twitter.com/LfwEQ0GDUy
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 10, 2020
After winning two championships and earning Finals MVP honors in 2017 and 2018 with Golden State, Durant found himself at the center of trade rumors leading up to the February 6 deadline this season.
The Golden State Warriors reportedly underestimated Kevin Durant’s “coldness” toward the organization. Even a conversation between Steph Curry and Durant left Curry feeling that a reunion was unlikely, per @anthonyVslater
“At some point in the last several days, Stephen Curry… pic.twitter.com/VwxDWQU0cK
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 6, 2025
Ultimately, KD rejected a potential three-team trade that could have reunited him with former teammates Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
Bob Myers speculates on why Kevin Durant may have been reluctant to come back to the Warriors:
“He’s the only one in the whole equation that took criticism for [coming to GS in 2016]. I didn’t, Joe Lacob didn’t, Steve Kerr didn’t, Steph Curry didn’t, Draymond Green didn’t. Only… pic.twitter.com/KJJh6FlW93
— KNBR (@KNBR) February 6, 2025
This isn’t the first instance of a public back-and-forth between Durant and Perkins, and likely will not be the last. Their history continues to unfold in the spotlight, keeping fans engaged.
Yea and our starting center @KendrickPerkins averaged a whopping 2 and 3 during that series. U played hard tho champ lol
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) January 10, 2020
