The NBA world was abuzz this week following an unexpected social media shakeup involving two well-known figures. LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers star, unfollowed former NBA player and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins on X. Perkins’ response to this move, a tweet referencing Jesus, has since sparked widespread reactions and debates across social media platforms.
Perkins’ reaction to being unfollowed was both bold and controversial. He tweeted, “Everybody didn’t follow Jesus, I’ll be ok,” drawing immediate attention and backlash from fans and analysts alike.
The tweet quickly became a hot topic, with numerous users responding to Perkins’ self-comparison to Jesus. The reactions ranged from humorous to critical, highlighting the divided opinions on Perkins’ statement.
The response to Perkins’ tweet was swift and overwhelmingly negative. Here are some of the most notable reactions:
@imhimothy43: “Did Bro just call himself Jesus 😭”
@30GotNext: Jesus knows how to play basketball… you don’t
@NBAW0RLD24: Might be the worst tweet of all time, better off not have responded if you gonna say this shit 😭
@EthicalHoopz: “Ngl I laughed 😭”
@BSO: “I’m proud of you lol. Just stop falling for ballsack sports and you will be cooking.”
@Agenda__Pusher: “Kendrick Perkins comparing himself to Jesus LMFAO”
@g12_lj: U had tears in ur eyes when u hit tweet
@J4__c3: this why he unfollowed btw
@HaterReport_: “Kendrick Perkins be like prime Shaq when it comes to saying crazy stuff lmaooo”
@SeeColes: I know you ain’t just……
These reactions encapsulate the general sentiment on Twitter, with some finding humor in Perkins’ bold comparison while also criticizing him, questioning his choice of words and the implications of such a statement.
The incident: LeBron unfollowing Kendrick Perkins
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The drama began when it was noticed that LeBron James had unfollowed Kendrick Perkins on Twitter. This move came after Perkins made comments about James during a segment on ESPN’s “NBA Today,” where he criticized James for his remarks about his former teammate, Kyrie Irving. James had recently expressed his admiration for Irving and his disappointment at not being his teammate anymore, despite the fact that the Lakers were not in the NBA Finals, whereas the Mavericks and Celtics were. Perkins, never one to shy away from controversy, accused James of trying to steal the spotlight from the teams currently competing for the championship.
“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.”
The tension between James and Perkins can be traced back to a podcast episode where LeBron spoke passionately about Kyrie Irving. Speaking with former player JJ Redick on their podcast “Mind The Game,” James expressed his mixed emotions about Irving’s success with the Dallas Mavericks this postseason.
“I’m so f—ing happy and so proud to watch him continue his growth,” James said. “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.”
Perkins took issue with these comments, feeling that LeBron was making the moment about himself rather than focusing on the achievements of the players currently in the Finals. This criticism likely led to the social media snub by James.
Kyrie Irving himself addressed the comments made by LeBron during his media availability at the NBA Finals. He acknowledged the significance of their past partnership and expressed a matured perspective on their relationship.
“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.”
Irving’s response was diplomatic and highlighted the growth both he and LeBron have experienced since their time together on the Cleveland Cavaliers, where they won a championship in 2016.
The exchange between Perkins and LeBron, along with the subsequent social media reactions, underscores the intense scrutiny and drama that often surrounds NBA personalities. Perkins, known for his controversial nature, has never shied away from controversy, and his latest tweet has only added to his reputation as a provocateur in the sports media landscape.
LeBron’s decision to unfollow Perkins is a reminder of the personal nature of social media interactions, even among high-profile figures. It also highlights how athletes and analysts navigate their relationships publicly, with every move subject to public scrutiny and interpretation.
In the end, while the unfollowing and the tweet might seem trivial, they reflect the larger dynamics at play in the world of sports media, where personalities, opinions, and public perception intersect in often unpredictable ways. Whether this incident will be the end of any and all relationship between LeBron James and Kendrick Perkins remains to be seen, but for now, it has certainly provided plenty of fodder for fans and commentators alike.
