Every draftee gets compared to an NBA talent on draft night. Kendrick Perkins is gaining infamy for taking those comparisons to the next level.
The ESPN analyst found an example for nearly every pick in the first round of Thursday’s 2022 NBA Draft and Twitter let him know just how well he did… or didn’t do.
Desmond Bane chimed in when Perkins compared Trevor Keels, whom the Knicks selected in the second round, to the Grizzlies forward.
“Me n Trevor Keels got similar game???” Bane asked on Twitter.
“Yeah have you watched yourself lately?! Stay humble youngin,” Perkins responded, to which Bane answered with two laughing emojis.
“Mostly here for the Kendrick Perkins player comparisons, better than any stand-up set on Netflix,” Sports Illustrated’s Kevin Sweeney wrote.
Perkins notably misidentified A.J. Griffin as “the kid Jalen from Duke,” and dropped plenty of wild and unique comparisons. He has even recognized his own comedy, responding to a tweet about himself during the broadcast.
A brief look at some of Perkins’ more… unique examples:
- Compared No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero to the Nets’ Ben Simmons and NBA flameout Michael Beasley.
- “If Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kristaps Porzingis had a baby, they’d get [No. 2 pick] Chet Holmgren.”
- No. 3 pick Jabari Smith Jr. is similar to… Kevin Durant!
- Keegan Murray, the No. 4 pick by the Sacramento Kings, reminded Perkins of two-time All-NBA teamer Pascal Siakam.
A 2003 first-round pick and 2008 champion, Perkins has found a second life sharing his insight across ESPN properties after his 15-year NBA career came to a close in 2018. On Thursday, he gave viewers plenty to ponder.
Here are just a few examples of viewers’ thoughts on his in-the-moment takes:
Time will tell just how true — or not — Perkins’ comps really are, especially as Thursday’s picks embark on their pro careers.