The Kevin Durant-Kendrick Perkins back-and-forth is undoubtedly one of the most hilarious public feuds in the NBA. While the two played five seasons together, their relationship has turned sour since Perkins became an analyst.
Perkins has repeatedly made comments discrediting Durant’s legacy as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, even calling his move to the Golden State Warriors the “weakest move in NBA history.”
Durant, infamous for being active on social media, has responded to Perkins’ comments on multiple occasions. And just as Perkins slipped up on an episode of the “Road Trippin'” podcast, Durant was there to stick it to him.
What Prompted Kevin Durant’s Reaction?
Discussing if off-court adversity should factor into “GOAT” debates, co-host Allie Clifton asked Perkins his opinion on the matter. The former NBA player answered in his own fashion, giving yet another hot take.
“I wasn’t there, but I will say everyone’s had their own form of adversity. Back then, it was racism and death threats, right? But having to battle through the adversity of f—g social media as a player elevates right up into that when you talk about mental toughness.”
Bad take
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 5, 2025
Perkins’ comments led to Durant taking to Twitter and calling the take a “bad” one, despite Perkins trying to clarify his stance.
“I get it. Like people’s lives were on the line, but like mental health is a real thing. And like we see so many guys logging off of social media, right?” Perkins said. “John Wall talked about how he wanted to commit suicide, like it’s a real thing. So everybody’s affected in a different way.”
While Perkins is known for his controversial takes, this one has seemed to cross a bit of a line, as the comparison of systematic racism with online trolls isn’t one that was well received. However, it must also be noted that Perkins clarified he’s not trying to “put the two together,” despite how it seems.
Kendrick Perkins argues that the adversity players face with social media in today’s NBA is right up there with the racism and death threats that players like Bill Russell faced in his era
(🎥 @RoadTrippinPod / h/t @MrBuckBuckNBA )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 4, 2025
“I would never take what the guys, Bill Russells, and what they had to go through for us to be able to perform at a high level or even be in the NBA, for the NBA to even exist,” Perkins said. “I’m not trying to put the two together. All I’m saying is this day and age, a lot of these guys are dealing with their own form of adversity, right?”
Despite Perkins’s attempted damage control, clips of his answer have been circulating on social media, and we can only assume Durant would be enjoying Perkins facing the heat.
