JJ Redick slams Kendrick Perkins’ suggestion NBA MVP voting is racially biased, criticizes ESPN show’s format
JJ Reddick, a former NBA sharpshooter and legendary college basketball player for Duke, edged out NBA champion Kendrick Perkins for his actions on the MVP voting.
Reddick appeared on ESPN’s “First Take” on Tuesday and pushed back strongly on Perkins’ opinion that there is racial bias in the voting. Perkins made the claim last week while discussing Nikola Jokic’s candidacy as the Denver Nuggets superstar continues to make his case for his third straight MVP award.
The former NBA veteran took Perkins’ tackle apart in a terrifying moment.
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Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic reacts during a Toronto Raptors game at Ball Arena on March 6, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
“Stephen A. (Smith), I mean no offense to you. And I mean no offense to ‘First Take’ because I think the show is so valuable,” he prefaced. “It’s an honor to be at this desk every day. It really is. But what we’ve just seen is the problem with this show. Where we create narratives that don’t exist in reality. Which means you say Are – those White NBA (award) voters are racist, that they favor white people. You just said it.
“That’s exactly what you represent Kendrick Perkins,” Redick said as his former NBA teammate shook his head.
“I did not!” Perkins said and added, “I stated the facts!”
Perkins said he applauded Reddick for bringing up the conversation because it was something that was needed. Perkins claimed that his view was that “many former African American players have felt for decades.”
Kendrick Perkins attends the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game during All-Star Weekend at Wolstein Center on February 18, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
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Reddick appeared ready to let things be gone and cooler heads prevail.
Perkins said Wednesday that only three players since 1990 have won an MVP despite finishing outside the top 10 in points per game: Jokic in his first MVP campaign in 2020-21, Dirk Nowitzki (2006-07) and Steve Nash. (2004–05, 2005–06).
“What do those guys have in common? I’ll let it sit there and marinate. You think about it,” he told co-host Stephen A. said examining Smith.
He also used a famous Jay-Z song: “Is it ‘Ochy Valley’ or is it ‘A Mike?'”
The rhyme scheme suggested that rival Nas’ songs sent two distinct messages. “Ochi Valley” has misogynistic lyrics, while “One Mike” is more socially conscious. The lyrics have now become a phrase commonly used to call out hypocrisy and double standards.
JJ Reddick announces the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Nuggets at the Ball Arena on Oct. 26, 2022, in Denver. (Jamie Schwabero/Getty Images)
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Jokic averaged a double-double in his MVP seasons the last two years. The Denver star is currently averaging 24.4 points, 11.8 rebounds and 10 assists and is on his way to another MVP award.
Fox News’ Ryan Morick contributed to this report.
