Former NBA champion and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins has picked the LA Clippers to win the NBA Finals. But with one caveat.
Perkins, a 14-year NBA veteran, has been with ESPN since retiring as a player. He is never shy about sharing his stance on NBA topics. Perkins offered a strong one when asked about the upcoming NBA playoffs.
Perkins was asked on ESPN’s NBA Today if anyone in the league could dethrone the Denver Nuggets, and naturally, the star-studded Los Angeles Clippers came up.
When healthy, the Clippers have performed at an elite level the past few seasons. But, with this typically injury-riddled franchise, there’s a heavy emphasis on “when healthy.” And Perkins made sure to say as much in his prediction.
Kendrick Perkins says Clippers will win NBA Championship
"This team, healthy, is not only winning the West, but in my eyes is winning the entire NBA Championship this year."@kendrickperkins says the Clippers are winning it all 🏆 pic.twitter.com/AR7rIhxWBV
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 30, 2024
“[The Clippers], if healthy, is not only winning the West but, in my eyes, is winning the entire NBA Championship this year,” Perkins said to Malika Andrews.
He also offered an apology to the newest Clipper, James Harden. “And I need to apologize to James Harden [because of] the way that he’s playing right now alongside Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. Listen, the Clippers are not lacking anything.”
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Perkins rounded out his point by highlighting the coaching staff in Los Angeles. “And they have a championship coach in Ty Lue,” he said matter-of-factly.
According to Perkins and many NBA fans, there isn’t a better team in the league when the Clippers are healthy.
The Clippers are 21-4 since December 1st This is what happens when you have Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard No one is stopping this team 🏆 pic.twitter.com/jtV1itwNWu
— Beastbrook (@Beastbr00k0) January 27, 2024
Nearing the NBA All-Star break, the Clippers sit at the fourth seed in the West but are only two games out of first place.
Leonard has been held out of four games this year, while George has only missed two games himself.
Health has been and will continue to be the primary focus of the Clippers as the second half of the regular season ramps up. Will the injury bug finally stay away?