Kendrick Perkins Shares Strong Statement on Thunder Star Amid NBA Finals

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Robert Marvi | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 3:21 AM ET

In recent months, many have been giving Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lots of praise, especially after he was recently named this year's regular-season MVP. But the Thunder have another star who is coming into his own.

In Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday, Gilgeous-Alexander had a stellar 31 points and 10 assists. But forward Jalen Williams dropped 40 points on 14-of-25 shooting from the field to ensure a 120-109 win over the Indiana Pacers and a 3-2 series lead.

Williams is coming up fast, and ESPN personality Kendrick Perkins took to his X account to remind everyone of that fact.

"J-Dubb standing on Bidness in these Finals," he wrote.

J-Dubb standing on Bidness in these Finals
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) June 17, 2025

This wasn't the first excellent game Williams had in this championship series. He had 26 points in Game 3 and 27 points in Game 4, and he is seemingly getting better before everyone's eyes.

He averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.6 steals a game during the regular season. He hasn't made the All-Star game in three pro seasons, but one has to assume that at least one berth in the midseason classic is inevitable for him.

In fact, on ESPN's "Get Up," Brian Windhorst said that many believe Williams can follow in the footsteps of Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, a six-time NBA champion.

"There are people in this league who believe that Jalen Williams can have a Scottie Pippen-like career."

- Brian Windhorst

( @GetUpESPN )

pic.twitter.com/r2NEBDthIe
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 16, 2025

With him and big man Chet Holmgren expanding their respective bags, the Thunder are well-positioned to be monsters for the next several years.

They may not become a dynasty, and they may not even win it all this season. But barring something catastrophic, they should have multiple chances to claim the Larry O'Brien Trophy in the years to come.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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