A week ago, Kendrick Perkins tweeted his top 10 NBA players list that did not have LeBron James at No. 1.
Even the fact that Perkins ranked his former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate second to 2018-19 MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo did not sit well with James, who sent Perkins a text message that showed his motivation for the 2019-20 season.
My Top 10 rankings!
1. Giannis
2. Lebron
3. Harden
4. Kawhi
5. Steph
6. AD
7. Embiid
8. Dame Dolla
9. Jokic
10. Russ
Kevin Durant didn’t make the list Due to Injury!!!— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) September 26, 2019
On Thursday, Perkins made a guest appearance on the “Scal & Pals” show where he told host Brian Scalabrine about James’ text.
“I had Giannis at No. 1 because I had to show respect that he won the MVP last year. His team had the best record in the league, had the best offense, best defense in the league last year,” Perkins said. “I texted LeBron and said that’s the only reason I had you No. 2. Know what he told me? ‘In due time I will reclaim my throne.’”
Antetokounmpo led his Milwaukee Bucks to the Eastern Conference Finals last season after putting together career-high averages of 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game, to go along with 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks a night.
Meanwhile, James played in only 55 games last season, the lowest of his career. Nevertheless, he still put up MVP-type numbers with 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game.
What may be more frustrating for the Los Angeles Lakers superstar and his fans, however, was the fact that he missed the playoffs for the first time since his second year in the league.
Despite James’ highly motivated text, Scalabrine expressed concern over the four-time MVP’s various businesses. But Perkins allayed those fears, saying that this is nothing new to the 16-year veteran.
“We acting like this is new. He’s been doing this,” Perkins said. “He’s been on commercials. This is not his first movie. This is not his first TV show or all these different things outside of basketball. He was doing this when he was in Cleveland; he was doing this in Miami. LeBron knows how to be a true professional.”
Many pundits worried about James when he signed with the Lakers last year, saying that his off-court interests would take his focus off of basketball. He seemingly proved them right when he failed to lead the Lakers to the playoffs.
With a revamped roster and an extended offseason to rest his 34-year-old body, James is certainly primed for revenge when the regular season kicks off in a few weeks.
