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Feb. 10, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA: Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (right) and center Kendrick Perkins on the bench against the Phoenix Suns at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

'The Actual Real MVP': Kevin Durant Backs Kendrick Perkins’ Claims Of Locking Up Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan In 2012 Thunder Finals Run

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated May 23, 2025 7:48 AM ET

Kevin Durant is standing by his former teammate Kendrick Perkins—sort of. In a recent episode of Gil’s Arena, Perkins clapped back at critics who downplayed his role on the 2012 Oklahoma City Thunder squad that reached the NBA Finals. The conversation sparked when former NBA forward Kenyon Martin suggested Perkins would’ve been a liability in a hypothetical matchup between the 2012 Thunder and today’s 2025 OKC team.

Perkins wasn’t having it.

“I was one of the main reasons why we made the Finals,” Perkins said. He added that while his stats didn’t jump off the page—averaging 4.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks—he made his mark defensively, claiming to have “locked up” legends like Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker.

Durant, amused by his former teammate’s passionate defense, took to X (formerly Twitter) with a playful post:

“The actual real MVP,” Durant wrote.

While KD’s tweet seems more tongue-in-cheek than a true endorsement, Perkins has continued to double down on his leadership role within that Thunder team. He even claimed that he was the team’s emotional leader, not Durant, Westbrook, or Harden.

“Craziest Sh*t I’ve Seen”: Kevin Durant Reacts to Perkins’ Claim He Was OKC’s Leader in 2012 Finals Run

Back in February, Kendrick Perkins made waves with another hot take, claiming that he—not KD, Russ, or Harden—was the true leader of the 2012 Thunder.

“It doesn’t mean your best player is your leader,” Perkins said. “When I was with the Thunder, it wasn’t KD, it wasn’t Russ, it wasn’t James. I was the one leading.”

Apr 29, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) talks to center Kendrick Perkins (5) during a timeout against the Houston Rockets in the second quarter in game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Durant, never shy on social media, fired back with a hilariously blunt take:

“I know this may be a reach, but this comment is by far the craziest sh*t I’ve seen this week.”

May 29, 2012; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder players Russell Westbrook (0), and Derek Fisher (37), and Kendrick Perkins (5), and James Harden (13) and Kevin Durant (35) on the court during a timeout in game two of the Western Conference finals of the 2012 NBA playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. the Spurs won 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

While Perkins insists his presence and locker room leadership were crucial, the numbers tell a different story. Durant averaged 28.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists that postseason, while Russell Westbrook added 23.1 points and James Harden chipped in 16.3 points as the Sixth Man of the Year.

Whether leader or loudest voice, one thing’s for sure: Perk will always have his say—and KD will always have the last laugh.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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