Jayson Tatum appeared on Jimmy Fallon this week and made the prediction that he would win MVP for the 2024-25 season and Kendrick Perkins has weighed in.
On NBA Today, Perkins was asked about Tatum’s prediction and he didn’t hold back on the subject, while relating it back to his playing days.
“He’s selfish, and it’s a great way of saying it,” Perkins said. “I’m not being negative right now, but seeking or concentrating on one’s own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others,” Perkins said. “Here’s the thing, I understand basketball is a team sport, and I get championships have helped define a lot of guys’ legacies. I’m still called the NBA Champion to this day.
“If a guy wants to hit individual accolades, I’m all for it. [Kevin Garnett] and I back in 2009, 2010, we actually got into a heated battle, which almost cost us our relationship after we won the championship because KG thought I was playing to try and make the All-Star team, and I was. I did have my own personal agenda. And the Big Fella had to go think about it, he came to me a few days later and said ‘Perk, I should want you to make the All-Star team, you should want that for yourself.’ So I don’t have a problem with a player being somewhat selfish and wanting to accomplish things on an individual basis.”
