NBA enthusiasts were taken aback by the appearance of former player Kendrick Perkins during Tuesday night’s Western Conference Finals opener featuring the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
As the cameras panned to Perkins near the players’ entrance tunnel, he appeared noticeably larger than in his playing days, leading to widespread discussion on social media.
Known affectionately as “Big Perk,” he stood at 6 feet 10 inches and weighed 270 pounds during his time in the league. However, images taken during the game revealed him looking even heftier, especially in side-by-side comparisons with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.
Since his retirement, Perkins has become a prominent figure on ESPN, often appearing on shows or making calls from behind a desk. As a result, fans don’t frequently see his full stature, making this sighting especially striking.
Kendrick Perkins Sparks Conversation Online
While some attributed his appearance to an unflattering camera angle, abundant commentary flooded social media regarding the unexpected reveal.
“Is that Kendrick Perkins?” one user questioned.
Is that Kendrick Perkins? pic.twitter.com/sLz16SRrQH
— Hoops (@HoopMixOnly) May 21, 2025
“Why are y’all the main two always calling Luka Dončić out of shape and questioning his conditioning, @KendrickPerkins @WindhorstESPN? Luka haters then parrot what these two have to say about his body… ain’t no way,” another user remarked.
“Damn Kendrick Perkins Big Asf🤣🤣🤣,” another comment humorously noted.
Damn Kendrick Perkins Big Asf
🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/nPBe0Yc9ht— TheTruth (@Thetruth8240) May 21, 2025
“Stephen A got a new bodyguard next time LeBron rolls up on him again lol,” one user quipped.
Was it simply an unfortunate camera angle, or has Perkins truly undergone a noticeable change in physique?
Although the Boston Celtics champion has not publicly commented on the viral photos as of Thursday morning, he is quite active on social media and likely aware of the discussions.
Whether he will address it remains uncertain, but given his usual approach, he might choose to simply move on, as he often states he will do.
