Mar 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

ESPN Star Sends Harsh Message To LeBron James

Originally posted on New Orleans Pelicans on SI
By Liam Willerup | Last updated Mar 27, 2025 2:21 PM ET

NBA fans got something they've wanted for a long time this week: an unfiltered conversation with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. James joined The Pat McAfee Show ahead of the Lakers' contest against the Indiana Pacers, sharing everything from Michael Jordan to stories with the Miami Heat. Included in that conversation, he took some shots at ESPN stars.

Mentioning Brian Windhorst and Stephen A. Smith, James' comments didn't sit well in the media, according to reactions online. In an ESPN segment Thursday morning, former teammate of LeBron and ex-New Orleans Pelicans center Kendrick Perkins took some time on the air to send a message to the Lakers star.

Kendrick Perkins goes after LeBron James

"LeBron James need to stop. He needs to stop. I’m so sick of him with this ‘oh how the league is covered’ because he wanted to be covered a certain way."

(h/t @awfulannouncing )

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— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 27, 2025

"LeBron James needs to stop. He needs to stop," Perkins said on ESPN Thursday morning. "I’m so sick of him with this ‘oh how the league is covered’ because he wanted to be covered a certain way...Everything that comes out of LeBron James' mouth ain't the d*** gospel."

Ever since getting into the media, Perkins has never been afraid to speak his mind on current topics such as this one. Perkins was teammates with James in the 2017-18 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now with James taking shots at his coworkers Windhorst and Stephen A., Perkins came to their defense with his remarks.

Kendrick Perkins doesn’t understand why LeBron chose not to do the Mind of the Game podcast with guys like Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye, Phil Handy, or Draymond Green, and instead chose to do it with Steve Nash and JJ Redick

( @FirstTake )

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— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 27, 2025

An interesting saga to pay attention to as James has positioned himself against the traditional media, it's clear that Perkins had a strong side in this conflict.

This article first appeared on New Orleans Pelicans on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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