LeBron James' Former Teammate Has Message For Kendrick Perkins
03/27/2025 06:23 PM
LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith's feud has grown into a national referendum on how the NBA is covered in the media. That's led to a discussion on some of James' forays into content creation like his new podcast.
James will host the "Mind of the Game" podcast with Steve Nash and JJ Redick, but one of his former teammates asked why he didn't host the podcast with others.
During Thursday's episode of ESPN's "First Take," Kendrick Perkins questioned why James didn't start a podcast with Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye, Phil Handy, or Draymond Green despite having great relationships with them.
Bron been on @RoadTrippinPod so many times 😂😂🙄 https://t.co/qjttUNZaCH
— Richard Jefferson (@Rjeff24) March 27, 2025
Jefferson responded to his colleague on social media, letting him know that James has personally appeared on his "Road Trippin'" podcast with Frye.
"Bron been on Road Trippin so many times," Jefferson said, responding to Perkins comments about James selecting who he does media appearances with.
"I'm glad y'all brought up the 'Mind The Game podcast. He [LeBron] is one of the brightest basketball minds I've ever been around," Perkins said.
"Okay, you lose JJ Redick, and you go out and get Steve Nash. I would never question Steve Nash IQ or his intelligence when it comes down to the game of basketball.
But, Richard Jefferson just got hired on our A-Team, to cover the NBA Finals. He's smart as hell. Channing Frye, who won a championship with LeBron James and does NBA TV, he's intelligent as hell. Phil Handy, who LeBron James won two championships with, who's now doing his own thing, he's intelligent as hell.
So what I'm getting at is, why none of those guys, LeBron? These are all your guys, so why none of those guys for 'Mind The Game?' I'll leave it at that."
Perkins played with James in Cleveland during LeBron's second stint with the team, and he also played against him as a rival for several years with teams like the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder.
We've heard from several members of the basketball media over the last few weeks, and James and Smith's comments over the last two days will surely invite more discussion from those involved with the league.
Related: Brian Windhorst Responds To Criticism From LeBron James
