LeBron James Unfollows Kendrick Perkins, Sparks Controversy on “First Take”
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has stirred the pot on social media by unfollowing several people on Twitter, including former NBA player and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins. This move did not go unnoticed, especially by Perkins, who addressed the issue head-on during a recent episode of ESPN’s “First Take.”
In a spirited segment, Perkins described James as “sensitive” for the unfollow and expressed his disappointment that the NBA icon didn’t reach out to him directly. “If LeBron had an issue with anything I said, he should have just picked up the phone,” Perkins asserted on the broadcast, which was highlighted by NBACentral.
The rift seems to have its roots in Perkins’ critical commentary on various matters related to James and the Lakers. Perkins has recently criticized the Lakers’ handling of head coach Darvin Ham’s situation, the ongoing coaching search, and James’ involvement in his son Bronny’s NBA draft journey. Perkins speculated that these remarks might have prompted James to hit the unfollow button, effectively silencing Perkins on his social media feed.
Reflecting on their long-standing relationship, Perkins reminded viewers that he has known James for over two decades. “We go way back. If there’s a problem, we should be able to talk it out,” Perkins said, hinting at his frustration over the perceived snub.
The exact reason for James’ decision to unfollow Perkins remains speculative. It could be as simple as a routine clean-up of his social media accounts, or perhaps the recent criticisms did indeed strike a nerve. Whatever the cause, it’s clear that the move has rubbed Perkins the wrong way.
Perkins made it clear that despite the social media snub, he has no plans to alter his approach. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll keep doing my job, speaking my mind on TV,” he declared, suggesting that James will have to get used to his commentary, whether he likes it or not.
As for LeBron, he has yet to comment publicly on the unfollowing of Perkins. Known for his often subtle and sometimes cryptic social media responses, it remains to be seen whether he will address this budding controversy directly or through his usual online channels.
The unfolding tension raises the question: Is this the start of a back-and-forth between the two former friends? With Perkins steadfast in his role as a vocal analyst and James’ history of not shying away from addressing critiques, fans and observers alike will be watching closely to see if this spat escalates into a full-blown public dispute.