According to slamonline, after the Memphis Grizzlies’ Game 1 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Zach Randolph went on to say that Kendrick Perkins was too slow to guard him. Here is what Randolph had to say about Kendrick “the scowl” Perkins’ defense:
“Perk’s good, but all Perk can do is foul me. That’s the only thing he can do. The best thing about his defense on me is to foul me . . . He can’t (stop Randolph). He’s too slow. He’s a big body. He can foul. I don’t think nobody in the league can stop me. Not only Perk. I tell Perk to his face. I already told him before.’”
It is rare to see Perkins on the wrong end of the trash talking. Usually Perkins is the one dishing out the criticism, most notably on Pau Gasol’s “softness” and Phil Jackson’s “arrogance”.
Randolph may have a point about Perkins’ inability to guard him, if one looks at the Game 1 box score as their reference. Randolph finished with 34 points, ten rebounds and three steals.
Conversely, Perkins finished with two points and six rebounds.
Considering Perkins’ reputation as one of the toughest guys in the league, I don’t expect Randolph’s stat line to be so gaudy in Game 2. On the other hand, Randolph has scored at will this postseason. So, maybe Perkins will just have to scowl a little fiercer and hope for the best.
On any note, this match-up should be very fun to watch as the series progresses.
Joshua Sexton is a lifelong basketball fanatic, who watches as many games as possible. In addition, He has played and coached the game at the high school level. He has recently started writing about the game of basketball.
