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Charles Barkley and Kendrick Perkins are beefing. Earlier this week, Perkins went viral when he said the Lakers saved the NBA after trading for Luka Doncic and going on a winning streak.
“Right now, the Los Angeles Lakers are saving the NBA.” 😯 @KendrickPerkins is excited about the potential matchups in the NBA playoffs this season 👀 pic.twitter.com/SuUOvPXXdP
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 5, 2025
“I saw a fool, idiot on TV talking about the Lakers ‘saved the NBA.’ Yeah, yeah, he’s an idiot and a fool. … Kendrick Perkins.”
“He said, the Lakers — first of all, the Lakers have had a great two weeks,” Barkley said. “He said the Lakers saved the NBA season. That’s because them fools on the other network, which we’re going to be working for next year, that’s all they talk about. Let me tell y’all something. And first of all, I want all the smoke. I don’t whistle when I walk by the graveyard or anything like that.”
Charles Barkley calls Kendrick Perkins a fool for saying that Lakers saved the NBA
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) March 7, 2025
An angry Perkins appeared to challenge Barkley to a fight on social media while responding.
Hey @NBAonTNT might wanna tell that senior citizen Charles Barkley that I’ll be around. When he see an idiot or fool in person make sure he keep that same energy. He can come playing with me if he want to and imma Address his ass like the numbers on a house. Straight from the 409…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) March 7, 2025
Update: Barkley responded to Perkins at halftime of the Lakers-Knicks game.
Charles Barkley at Knicks-Lakers halftime: “I’m not a hater. I’m just worried about people on the other network (ESPN). They’re gonna be sad tomorrow. They’re gonna be sad and crying. (Crying noises) A Laker loss!…”
….
Ernie Johnson: “Do me a favor. Let it go…” 😂😂😂 https://t.co/18PPaS51AR pic.twitter.com/o7KJ86Mje9
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 7, 2025