Kendrick Perkins on His Media Career, LeBron’s Journey, and Stories From the Thunder and Celtics 

“I can’t let nobody disturb my peace. I’m going to sleep every single night with the AC on 60 and the fan blowing in my face.” -Kendrick Perkins, 2022

Crazy that Perk played with LeBron, Shaq, KD, KG, AD, Westbrook, Harden and Wade. This man has had an amazing journey

The most GOATED CONFESSION of all time! Had me crying 😂😂

Perk confessed about praying on Bron’s downfall and I really had tears in my eyes man 😭😭😭😭

JJ and perk definitely have a great dynamic I’d be entertained by a show of theirs for sure

I liked Perk's confession about literally praying for LeBron's downfall because he was terrified of him. Oftentimes we hear people say LeBron isn't feared like Kobe but obviously that's not true. He may not take 30+ shots like Kobe but he clearly instilled fear in his own unique way.

Love Perk and how true and authentic he is. This quote had me laughing for sure: “I’m not really good on numbers, hell, I’m not even good at reading. I’m good at watching the game of basketball.” Man must know his limitations. Know his role. Lol

I grew up and played in Texas. I was a grade above Perk . First time I saw him was in a newspaper. They called him “Baby Shaq.” Everybody was terrified of the dude.

"If you put me in a room with a chicken I can catch it, wring its neck, and have it ready for you to cook in 30 minutes."🤣🤣Quote of the year

I can’t lie, this was a way better interview than I was expecting.

Damn, I didn't know Perk was that entertaining ! 😂 I'm a big fan of his now

Big Perk is great to listen to. Speaks from the heart. No BS.

Was no Perk fan before but so much insight and backstory from this masterful interview makes him a lot more palatable, likable. Kudos.

Hilarious. That story about wanting Bron to tear his ACL had me dying for like 10 minutes 😂

When this man said, “At this stage in my life, I’m 37 years old…300lbs” is when I realized how insane it is for Lebron to be playing how he is now, when he is only 1 month younger than Perk

My perception of Perk was totally changed by this interview. All his stories from his playing career were gold lol.

JJ, thanks for having Big Perk on the show! Man, this just felt like a good ol' family friend dropping by to share good stories. Perk has a warm and fuzzy demeanor about him. Loved hearing about his upbringing. I could tell that you and your co-host enjoyed yourselves as well, and are probably just as pleased and pleasantly surprised at how relaxed and chill the conversation was. Totally opposite of some of the others.

43:44 Bron got media training. I always felt there was something about how that young man handled the media, that was way beyond his age, and where he started.

I'd watch this pairing as an EPSN show....have the guests be the talking heads of the day and they all gotta stand up the to "Players Scrutiny" or some such....it'd be gold

Bro I lost it when Perk made his confession🤣💀

I absolutely loved this podcast with Perk. One, you don’t get to see this side of him that often. Two, I love it when older players reminisce or tell old stories especially since I am the same age as JJ and Perk. Love it! The dap towards the end just made me smile so big!

I’m not crazy about perk on TV but I always love him on podcasts. His episodes on Road trippin, the Lowe Post, on KG’s podcast, on Woj’s pod etc, are some of my favorites lol

This might be the best interview to date. Very authentic and transparent. Perk is a gem as is JJ. Great GREAT interview 💯

The JJ and Perk dynamic is a MUST ! We need more. Great episode!

Tommy always asks GREAT questions. He interjects at the perfect time to bring up intelligent talking points and gives the whole show great structure.

This was incredibly entertaining! I love watching and hearing Big Perk talk! What a life of Kendrick Perkins!

By far my favorite pod, always draws me to listen to every week. We need Richard Jefferson next from the ESPN crew

Big shout out to Perk man. Always keeps it real and is this shows he’s genuinely a good guy. Would love to see more of these two!

Amazing interview, always loved Big Perk, but I didn't know he was that dude in HS, his stats was crazy!!

My favorite interview so far. Perk has so many stories having played with and grown up around so many legends, who would've known 👏

Perk seems really comfortable with this in person style format.

As of now this is definitely a top 3 episode of Old man and the 3

I'm piddling away my time watching great basketball and commentary. What I want is to learn something about the game, and I did this year. I'm 79 and have loved the game since I was 9. I made a good living as an analyst and planner. Rather than worry about the climate constantly this year I chose to watch a great team, the Warriors. I felt that Steph was a truly great player, much better in terms of results than CP, so I loved when Pat B. said what he said. Then I watched the deep analysts dissect Warriors games and learned why Steph is so great. It has to do with how he makes hiss teammates better. It has to do with creating openings for others. It has to do with defense. It has to do with doing what's right for the team. I also love Steve and Pop, and I'm at my advanced age learning a lot about why. I'll give this up in a few months and go back to something that really makes a difference -- climate and energy, but from you guys I want insights into the actual game.

I knew this interview would make me like Perk. Totally different perspective of what’s going on with Perk analyzing basketball. I’m at the part where he talked about his prayer about Lebron

PERK, make a compilation of your early network career man, such a great progression bro. You blooming and laughing now man.

It's always a pleasure to see Big Perk and with JJ it was truly special. How real are those two guys trading stuff with each other. This show was so Real. Thank you guys.

this is one of the best episodes of the show. Perk is an amazing storyteller. His journey from humble beginnings to championship basketball player and sports media star is captivating and truly inspirational. This gave me a whole new admiration and respect for Perk, who I always thought was just another hater in the media. big props to JJ and Tommy for being wonderful hosts and masterfully guiding the interview as always.

Lmfao the “Confession” had me rolling 😂😂😂😂

BIG PERK! Love the vibe and energy. He so goofy. Love this episode

Hellll yeah they got Kendrick "Here's the thing" Perkins finally! Been looking forward to this ep!

JJ! i wanna see steph's interview this summer! pray from japan🇯🇵 🙏

This man is a national treasure. I look forward to the next 20 years watching him on XYZ. Thank you for having him on your podcast

Thank you so much for this interview! I loved that early 2000s Celtics team so this was great.

If KP could be this relaxed on ESPN he'd be so much fun to listen to.

Tommy on a couch always has 9 year old meeting his parents' friends vibes.

Really liked the insight into his playing career. He stopped on a few sick rosters. Feels like it deserves it’s own hour but obviously the media is big In what he’s doing

Idc what nobody say Big Perk is necessary and brings something different to the table....and his actual knowledge is underestimated 💯

This interview gonna be a banger for sure

JJ's and Tommy's laugh has no sound. They laugh silently 😂😂

Perk being so scared of how Bron was about to play in that Game 7 that he prayed he tore his ACL. 😂😂😂😂. This man is nuts. I love KP. Too Real for TV.

This was a good one Guys. Had that "just kickin" it vibe!!

I wasnt expecting this to be this good, but damn it was a chill vibe

Perk is such a great guy! One of my favorite guests on First Take! Real stand up dude. 🙌🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️

I don’t see how people don’t like perk he entertaining and keep it real he gone say he wrong when he wrong

one thing thats a fresh breath of air. People who actually give Lebron his roses. Maaaan that JJ story about sharing their takeaways in the dorms was powerful.

One of the best interviews

It's funny how chill and nice he comes across here. I could see myself being friends with Perkins and I would never say that after watching espn, lol.

"Maybe you were praying he had a sprained ankle" "Nope"😐. I love Perk😂😂

I am so enjoying every interview. So insightful, so entertaining, such a unique vibe… keep up the good work guys

been loving all the espn analyst interviews. tim legler, SAS & perk 💯💯💯💯

Perks Lebron stories are amazing!! He was scared and actually prayed that Bron would get hurt lol. And his Lebron teenager story is great. Lebron was so mature even at 16

Perk is an absolute Gem.

JJ bro idk if you read the comments but damn I love this pod. I remember finding this when you first started out and I just fell in love with how real these conversations are. I would consider myself a casual NBA fan at best, but your work has definitely made me more interested and has done a great job of showing the more human side of all these people in the media and the league that most people dont know about. Congrats on your success with Tommy, looking forward to hitting that 1 Milly milestone with the rest of the OM&3 fan base

This was so fantastic! One of the best chats ever. Loved it all.

Love Big Perk. He is a unique voice on TV. Been a fan of J.J since he was at Duke. He has become one of my favorite bball analysts in 2022. I think he is a natural as well. This podcast will be a top 5 sports podcast before the year ends. I see over a million subscribers before summer is over. I was here when it was less than 10 thousand and now it is already at over 500 thousand? That's crazy bug well deserved.

I enjoyed this one - good to get some insight into Perk and his life

One of the best nba podcasts/conversations I’ve ever enjoyed. Thanks for this ! Love ya Big Perk! You a real one 💯

yo loving the long form interviews JJ + Tom , pls keep em coming!

Love watching these podcasts bro 💪🏽 great minds !

Best podcast yet. Well done!

Great interview. Perk has come along way with much more room to grow in the media space. ✨🏆💪🏾

Real talk we need. JJ perk and Tommy on more episodes together

love seeing this side of perk. real cool dude. him and jj work real well bouncing off each other. great episode

Its cool that Perk highlighted his Kawhi-MJ take For me, thats when i felt like he was put on the map as a relevant sports analyst

Phenomenal convo and interview with Perk! Thanks guys, this is one of my favorite pods great stuff always

Another great episode! Truly the best podcast in the business.

54:09 J.J. is trying his best to save Perk but Perk don't care! 🤣

Listening to JJ and Perk talking about Booray, definitely down for the idea of them making a "how to" video. Them, a few other dudes who have been on the pod that love the game, drinking heaps of wine and playing cards. Sounds hilarious and I bet some old stories would come out. Sounds like good content!

Keep up the great work JJ, this was an awesome show - up there with the one you did with Tim Legler (which I must’ve listened to 3-4 times). You’ve given us a behind the scene look at what these cats are like and because of it I have so much more respect for dudes like Perk (for being himself and keeping it 100% real) and young bloods like Trae. Loved this!

Love to listen to Perk... he has the best never heard words or descriptions he comes up with out of nowhere.

Loved the part where Kendrick talked about his upbringing. Respect

My favorite episode. I hate to say things I’ve read in the comments but there right - Perk and JJ need to team on content this is gold

Really love the show! The podcast never disappoints…Big Perk and JJ keeping it real

Best episode hands down and you’ve had sone great ones

Loved this episode ngl. The part about Perk wanting Bron to get injured had me dying

The best guest you ever had on, y'all most make a show together, espn should give y'all a show and call ying yang twins

I'm only 14:15 minutes in and I can tell this is about to be one of the best episodes of this show, ever.

Great stuff as usual. Perk is an open book and seems like a great human being. Appreciate you guys!

Love this episode Perk is such a nice guy

This was great pod!! Love Perk

Best interview you have done JJ! Perk is now definitely an OG!

Big Perk…. I’m a life long Knicks fan…. Living my best life N the Bay these days… Now a Warriors fan ! LOL! Keep CARRYING THE HELL ON my man ! We love your commentary on B Ball !

Just JJ and Perk bringing the heat on a Friday morning. They do it every week, ain't nothing strange about it. Carry the hell on!

Perk says that Nick Collison was the best teammate he ever had. That probably wouldn’t have been my first guess lol but I guess there’s a reason why his number is retired

My favorite show in a while ! Big Perk preachin

Been definitely waiting for this one. 👍🏾👍🏾

Big Perk🏀🏆...was definitely an excellent 👌 interview....thanks JJ Reddick for having him cuz I always felt that Big Perk...has always kept it 💯 when he speaks and this podcast interview .....showed just that💯💪😎👊🇵🇷🇺🇸⚒️

Perk: No, you can't edit this out this is real. perks so awesome man. always loved him.

This is probably the best one yet. JJ and Perk are both awesome personalities

Perk was such a great interview. Also, we need more Booray stories!