JJ Redick slams Kendrick Perkins’ suggestion NBA MVP voting is racially biased, criticizes ESPN show’s format
JJ Redick, a former NBA sharpshooter and legendary college basketball player for Duke, unseated NBA champion Kendrick Perkins for his opinion on MVP voting.
Appearing on ESPN’s “First Take” on Tuesday, Redick strongly pushed back on Perkins’ view that there is racial bias in the vote. Perkins made the claim last week when discussing Nikola Jokic’s candidacy as the Denver Nuggets superstar continues to argue for his third consecutive MVP award.
The former NBA veteran took apart Perkins’ score in a fiery moment.
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Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets reacts during the Toronto Raptors game at Ball Arena on March 6, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
“Stephen A. (Smith), I don’t want to offend you. And I don’t want to offend ‘First Take’ because I think this show is extremely valuable,” he entered. “It’s an honor to sit on this desk every day. It really is. But what we’ve just seen is the problem with this show. Where we’re creating stories that don’t exist in reality. The implication you’re suggesting – that the White voters who vote for NBA (awards) are racist, that they favor white people, you just said that.
“That’s exactly what you suggested to Kendrick Perkins,” Redick said as his former NBA colleague shook his head.
“I do not have!” Perkins said, adding, “I’ve stated the facts!”
Perkins said he appreciated Redick bringing up the conversation because it was something that needed to be had. Perkins claimed his view was how “many former African-American players have felt for decades”.
Kendrick Perkins attends the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game during All-Star Weekend at Wolstein Center on February 18, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
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Redick seemed poised to let bygone days pass and cooler heads prevail.
Perkins said on Wednesday that only three players have won an MVP since 1990 despite being outside the top 10 in points per game: Jokic in his first MVP campaign in 2020-21, Dirk Nowitzki (2006-07) and Steve Nash (2004-05, 2005). -06).
“What do those guys have in common? I let it sit there and marinate. Just think about it,” he said, testing co-host Stephen A. Smith.
He also used a famous Jay-Z lyric: “Is it ‘Oochie Wally’ or is it ‘One Mic?'”
The rhyme insinuated that rival Nas’ songs sent two separate messages. “Oochie Wally” contains misogynistic lyrics, while “One Mic” is more socially conscious. The lyrics are now a phrase often used to denounce hypocrisy and double standards.
JJ Redick announces the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Nuggets at Ball Arena on October 26, 2022 in Denver. (Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
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Jokic has averaged a double-double in his MVP seasons over the past two years. The Denver star currently averages 24.4 points, 11.8 rebounds and 10 assists and is well on his way to another MVP award.
Ryan Morik of Fox News contributed to this report.
