Not a Harden fan at all, but that response to Perk’s text is extremely respectable. Not what I was expecting but that was rather mature for a 23 year old 💯

Perk bringing the stars together is why you need a culture & vets in locker room.

Wow, Perk dropping therapy level analysis, extremely valuable information on interpersonal relationships and how they affect success.

Crazy to think how a team drafted 3 of the top 75 players of all time in a 4 year span and they couldn’t win a title because of personality conflicts.

These podcasts are like closure. I cannot express how amazing it is to be able to hear retrospective insights like this. Answers to the questions you had for years.

Some may think Perk is lying but I remember hearing in OKC media how much of a leader Perk was when he arrived.

That entire team was young. Players, coaches, front office, even the actual team itself.

I have a lot of respect for Perk. He’s going through that espn biased hate but he’s one of the realest ones on there and he’s trying to learn a new craft and balling with it. We should celebrate him

This is great insight for OKC fans like myself, thanks perk. We all knew KD and Russ were kinda faking it for the media but not to that extent. Like to the point the families weren’t even talking at one point? That’s crazy cause you really wouldn’t have been able to tell from the outside looking in

As a former Army vet!!! As the saying goes Leadership is everything!! All that talent on team! They should have been generational!!Like Perk said they’re going to look back with regret!

I had a conversation / argument with a guy for about an hour telling him how OKC trading Jeff Green for Kendrick Perkins actually helped make the OKC Thunder title contenders. He argued back and forth mainly about Perkins' stats and how he was basically a bum. I advised him guys like Perkins are chemistry and glue guys who know their role, and helped them get over the hump. He refused to believe that. This only lets me know I was right, and it's things that don't show up in the stat sheet that can build chemistry more than on court skills. Remember that KG cried when Ainge traded Perkins, so that should tell you all you need to know about him.

As a OKC fan, major props to BIG Perk trying to establish team continuity..I never knew he had leadership qualities

It makes so much sense that KD and Kyrie are friends lol… this interview gives so much context

One of the ultimate what IF teams

I absolutely love authentic basketball conversations like this, hearing a different perspective of what goes down in the locker rooms rather than hearing sas or nick wright go on about absolute BS. We need more jj reddick and draymond in media ❗️❗️❗️

I was also at that Mavs-OKC Game 4 in 2012. I had great seats behind the Thunder bench. I remember watching James Harden continually cross up Shawn Marion (an excellent defender)...and I told my girlfriend....."Man......James Harden is badass" I'm with Perk. I was not surprised at the player Harden became in Houston.

Perk sounds like he was a great teammate man

This was interesting. I remember that team. They had so much potential. KP explained talent isn’t enough. Chemistry is critical.

The series against the Heat should’ve only been the first big loss in steps going towards a championship. And that 3-1 loss to the Warriors still has to hurt. If they end up champions in 2016, the view on Russ and Durant completely change there, and maybe they don’t leave too.

As an fan of those teams this is heartbreaking

I was surprised to hear that when they went to Olympics, Lebron and some of the stars tried to break them up because they saw what these guys can do 😮

Egos between superstars are crazy….

In OKC when Harden would do his size up dribble + step back over any defender I knew the dude was an alpha and needed his own team to flourish

I'm glad Perk is setting the record straight on some of the Thunder misconceptions. Like, 5 million was the difference between James re-signing or being traded. James wanted his own team, that was the real reason he was traded. As a Thunder fan I think the media played a huge role in the relationship between KD and Russ being what it was. There was always the chatter about whose team it was Russ or KD, who was Batman, who was Robin, who was the alpha, so on and so forth. That went on the whole time they were together. So from the outside there was always that talk going on. That's why I think the organization was more guarded with them at the time in regards to press. That's why when KD left he talked about being able to be himself and the guardrails that OKC kinda had on them in regards to interaction with the media. Not realizing that they were trying to keep that stuff as far away as they could. I know that they were still hearing it, and it had to impact their relationship. As a fan there was an incident that I remember in regards to that talk and it struck me the wrong way. The Thunder were playing I believe it was the playoffs, and some of this chatter had been going on the day before the game. KD was going off this game and near the end was fouled and made the shot. I remember him under the basket near the fans and he said "This is my m'fn team". In that moment and with the context of everything going on I felt weird about him saying that. It was never talked about, but I saw it, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

That version of Kendrick Perkins was the best in my opinion, he was soo fit and could run the fast break with the young thunder big 3

something i just realized is that KD is the one who is always being left out. As Perk said KD never hung around with Harden or Russ. I heard he was also left out of the original Warriors core, said that he never got along with them. I guess he just doesn't work with others.

Wow I love how big perk try to slowly manipulate the situation by getting the team together with those type of methods big UPS to him for even trying.

As a Clippers fan, this is what we are missing right now. Say all you want about Pat Bev, Lou Will, and Trezz. Those three were really close and spent a lot of time together, which allowed us to win more games than we should’ve.

Y'know I feel like guys like Perk who isn't the main guy gives much more details than the main guys themselves like KD or Russ, because guys like Perk dont have much to lose anymore so they let it all out being more honest, gotta get more guys like Perk!

The 2012 thunder team is so op on 2k lmao

Damn Perk built their relationship. Glue guy at its finest.

This team is forever gonna get talked about

I think the Harden trade was bigger than just losing Harden as a player, he was a huge part of their culture together and it was the first domino to fall in all of their subsequent chemistry failures leading to KD leaving the team. Also, Harden would have developed into the next Ginobili more than likely.

Great interview. Perk would make a great coach. It takes more than mere individual talent to win a championship. Perk understands that very well.

These interview videos are so cool to see the ins and outs of the NBA!

I love Perk man. Dude keeps it real 100%. Even said details I had no idea about till now.

It really did hurt when we lost harden, could’ve been a big dynasty. Also if we drafted Draymond Green instead of Perry Jones 3rd

when perk talked about other players trying to break them up man....everybody was scared of them. makes me think about when people were celebrating when kobe and shaq broke apart too. idk how much the media played into it but they couldve been special had they all stuck together, the bond might have been better too. sounds like kd has always been alone though like that lonely kid in school

This is amazing! Best interview hands down! 😂😂😂😂

Been waiting for this! BIG PERK in the house laying it down!!!!

Man the amount of NBA lore this show brings out.... amazing.

Damn I thought KD and Westbrook were cool with each other in OKC until KD left for the Warriors and James Harden was the odd man out the whole time. Now I realize it all makes sense because Westbrook went to Houston to team up with Harden because they were cool with each other until that experiment didn't work anymore. The odd man out was KD, who seems to isolate himself from a lot of people.

Thanks Perk's for finally giving us closure on that amazing team

Hope JJ can get a Warriors player. Preferably an off the bench player like Poole, GP2, Belly or Otto

I know hindsight is 20/20, but I’ll never understand somebody who didn’t see Harden becoming a star. His production off the bench didn’t make sense, and he was the de facto PG over Russ. I was absolutely sick the exact moment I learned of the trade, and am still lowkey down on Presti/cheap ownership to this day

Gota love how Perk keeps it real man.

Kendrick Perkins get so much backlash from the media but he’s really good at what he does.. he keeps it 100

Thanks for the insight and everything you have given to the Thunder, Mr. Perkins.

I love how THEY manage to post this to the Minute honestly Incredible Sending LUCK

Honestly I think if the Thunder had a different coach and fostered more of a team all for one atmosphere they would have had a better outcome. I watched to many Thunder games where they just won on pure greatness with what looked like very little actual game plan being adhered to. When Durant came to the warriors that motion offense looked like it was poetry in motion. I have always been a big Westbrook and Durant fan it's still crazy to me that Durant, Harden, Westbrook team didn't win a couple titles....

I could listen to Perk talk all day about team dynamics in the locker room, especially between all-stars in Boston, OKC and Cleveland. People weren't kidding when he was always hailed as an amazing leader behind the scenes.

And this is why coaches like Steve Kerr, Greg Popavich, Phil Jackson etc etc are needed. All of these players are talented but dealing with different personalities and egos is a skill. It's more than just X's and O's.

I'm still pissed at the C's for ever letting Perk go to OKC. You couldn't replace his fire and will to win and the intimidation factor he brought to the middle. Such a team player, stuck on a team in Oklahoma that was more bout the egos than the rings.

Very interesting insights by Big Perk. James should be starting since 2012, maybe 2011 and then Brooks should stagger the three stars' minutes, he was waaay to good to be coming off the bench. He needed to be a star starter in order to enjoy all the... perks that come with it. Team culture, that's what Kerr, Steph, Klay, Draymond, and Iggy built in GS. I hope Iggy stays with the team in whatever role if he retires.

Talent is not enough without team chemistry. These three guys have found that out time and time again with all the different organizations they've played with since they all joined the league.

I like JJ, he doesn't concentrate in media hating players, but on true facts of NBA and playing the sport we love.

Insight to why KD never felt moved to tell Russ he was leaving OKC & I’m shocked to why Russ felt so hurt/disrespected by it

So Lebron..Carmelo Wade were planting seeds in Harden's brain in order to break up this very good n promising okc nucleus. Im not surprised... But OKC were so stupid to waste a damn good trio like they gotta.. Coaching was the issue Period!!!

Goes to show: Talent alone is not enough, you also have to be good with people. You need to be a good leader whose teammates will gladly listen and stand behind.

Jj podcast is blowing up because Kp and some of the guest he bring in keep it 💯

Feel like KD and Kyrie are those 2 unpopular kids/outcasts who became friends lol

Kendrick Perkins is a Real Dude!

7:40 That’s what leaders do. Perk was so overlooked. And humble enough to care about you.

Keep making these videos. The insight is top notch.

Yooo jj you should try to get iman Shumpert on this podcast I think it would be great but love all the previous podcasts and this one too

Champion teams are not about skill only , chemistry is important.

This podcast is really fascinating stuff. I'm glad I found it

Big Perk very professional 👏🏻 and great speech and story I agree with him 1000%

I don’t see how people don’t like perk he entertaining and keep it real he gone say he wrong when he wrong

3 future MVPs on the same team and they didnt win 1 title.....one of the biggest let downs ever and i believe Perk's story here. They're all very quirky guys who do their own thing.

Perk, JJ, and Richard are the best ESPN has to offer.

I really hope he has a good offseason and fully recovers from the injuries he’s had the past couple years. I just think the league will be more interesting if he can really contribute to the duo of him and Embiid.

It’s because Presti is an awful team builder, but a great drafter. He surrounded KD and Russ with absolute offensive liabilities. It was basically 2 on 5 basketball with no shooters on the court. Not to mention Scott Brooks ughhhh.

After all this time the media made it seem like KD and Westbrook were best friends back in OKC but Kendrick Perkins gave us the real story on why everyone split up it makes sense bc if KD, Westbrook & Harden stayed together they could've won a ring if they interacted with each other. S/0 to JJ Redick for giving us these exclusive interviews that the media won't tell us about

he speak the realest sht you can hate em but you can’t say he don’t speak facts he speak straight from the heart

Former players will hate on him for being so transparent but as fans this is what we need

Thunder could have been like the Spurs .. three stars drafted like TD, Tony and Manu. They didnt stay together and KD only won two titles with the Warriors.

4 years wasted from 2011 to 2014 because the Thunder had this guy as their starting center. Anybody else with hands that can hold onto the basketball and they win at least 1 title.

I wasn't going to watch his interview, but after watching these 8 minutes I changed my mind.

I remember watching games where he would score 29 to 35 of the bench and I was thinking it was BC KD & Westbrook were hard enough to stop. But if you watched the playoffs, you saw he was next level

Clicked faster than kd with a burner account

Scott Brooks is the main culprit of this debacle How come Sam presti didnt fire him ..thats baffling..

I remember when I seen Harden on those playoffs and I was like we need him at Houston.

Bro the first 15 seconds HOOKED

They should have tried kept James if they kept James they would have won a title 🤷🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️

He said “including me”, like he is a tougher matchup hahaha

Perkins is old school. Trying to get everyone to play as one. Need more guys like him. In the league.

Really highlights how role players can be really valuable to a Championship Team...even if they dont get many minutes

Forcing to make your teammates to talk is difficult especially if it’s not natural they were a special team but at least Kendrick put effort to try to bring together the team as a whole that’s a real one 👏

Perk's the realest. wish he and Kob played together

I started watching basketball because of this team It was the grizzlie vs okc 3 ot game 😮😮😮 An Automatically fell in love with the game and especially Westbrook and Kevin Durant

This squad and the Shaq-Penny Magic are the greatest what-if teams in my lifetime

As great as Russ is it seems like he would be hard to play with from an on court chemistry standpoint. He’s just to ball dominate and doesn’t have a real PG IQ. KDs always been better than Russ but the OKC thunder organization and Russ never acted like they knew that. That had to be frustrating for KD. You could see the frustration in Bron and ADs face this whole season. Russ takes horrible shots at the worst times. KDs not as good of an all around player as Bron but he has Lebron talent and as much as some people may not want to admit it he’s close to being as good as Bron talent wise but Bron does have him beat.

Really one of the biggest what if’s. It real real crazy when u think about it. Could have easily been the most talented team that could have translated to the best team ever

Wow, finally something concrete behind the curtain.

they lost because instead of being forward looking and building around their great small players they added perkins and built big like old school teams. ibaka, green, kd, harden & a 3&D wing instead of russ is the ideal NBA team. switchable bigs. amazing shooting. instead they went with russ & perk. they could have been the warriors. sad. had they just kept harden and traded russ OKC would have been a dynasty. ibaka was an amazing versatile 3&d big. harden & kd would have given you elite shooters who can go 1v1 and drive and kick. but they had no idea about what was to come in the 3 ball era. tell me analytics don’t matter.

I agree with Kendrick. This team was so incredibly good to break up the way they did. KD & Russ should have won at least 2 titles together but the egos ruined it. It’s a shame!

wow, wow, and wow. so much revelations from perk. golden

I swear i felt like i heard Perk say like 5 words his entire career now he's everywhere LOL , i would have never ever guessed he'd be a media member after retirement

KD and Kyrie are separatists. Steph created a culture. That's the greatness KD wanted joining the warriors. He wanted to do his work and go home the hard part is bringing people together he had Steph for that.