ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins isn’t backing down in his ongoing feud with TNT’s Charles Barkley, calling him out once again on The Road Trippin’ podcast.
“The latest clash erupted after Barkley took issue with a clip of Perkins saying the Lakers had ‘saved’ the NBA season.”
This time, Barkley singled out Perkins by name, calling ESPN analysts ‘idiots’ and ‘fools’—a jab that didn’t sit well with Perkins, who wasted no time firing back.
“You Don’t Want All the Smoke”
“You know what, I’ve been waiting on this moment,” Perkins said in a fiery response.
“Barkley said he want alls the smoke.’ No, you don’t, because I could be the smoke. You don’t want all the smoke, and you ain’t doing nothing, so that’s number one.”
Perkins then called out Barkley for acting like he regularly watches ESPN’s NBA coverage when, according to him, Barkley based his criticism on a single viral clip.
“When the Lakers added Luka, an international superstar, they started winning and became a legit title contender. Now, with a potential Celtics-Lakers NBA Finals in June, excitement is building—exactly the kind of buzz that helps the NBA.”
“Respect Has to Be There”
But Perkins’ frustration wasn’t just about the disagreement—it was about Barkley’s aggressive delivery.
“He called ESPN “fools and idiots” with aggressive gestures—shaking hands, moving lips, and sweating. My wife was even like, ‘Damn, who gets that mad over another man?’”
Perkins wasn’t buying the excuse that this was just how Barkley talks.
“And by the way, you’re about to be working at this network. If you think you’re going to change ESPN from talking about the Lakers or the Warriors, he’s lost his damn mind.”
Perkins Calls Out Stephen A. Smith
Perkins didn’t just direct his frustration at Barkley—he also had an issue with his own colleague, Stephen A. Smith, for how he responded to Barkley’s criticism.
“It pissed me off when Stephen A. tweeted at Charles,” Perkins said.
Perkins made it clear: it’s not about agreeing or disagreeing—it’s about respect.
“We can have different opinions, but the respect needs to be there,” he said. “We can’t keep giving people a pass, saying, ‘Oh, that’s just Chuck.’ Nah, f*** that.”
