Luka Doncic Dethroned? Kendrick Perkins Suggests New Name to NBA’s Top 5 Stars

Kendrick Perkins makes bold claim about Cade Cunningham over Luka Doncic.

Luka Doncic Dethroned? Kendrick Perkins Suggests New Name to NBA’s Top 5 Stars

Kendrick Perkins on Luka Doncic (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Kendrick Perkins excluded Luka Doncic from his top five NBA players, favoring Cade Cunningham instead.
  • Cade Cunningham is leading the Detroit Pistons to a top record in the Eastern Conference with strong performances.
  • Kevin Durant was praised by Perkins as the greatest scorer in basketball history, highlighting his efficiency and skill.

Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins named his top five players in the NBA at the moment, and there was no place for Luka Doncic in his list. Doncic is coming off an impressive showing against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night. The Lakers registered a convincing 129-101 victory over a shorthanded Warriors at the Chase Center.

It put an end to the Lakers’ three-match losing streak. The Lakers are currently placed at sixth in the Western Conference standings with a 35-25 record. Since joining the Lakers at the trade deadline last season, Luka Doncic has been the focal point of the team as the club prepares for life in the post-LeBron James era. The Slovenian guard leads the league in scoring and is currently averaging 32.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 8.6 assists this season.

His performances this season have made him a favorite for the MVP award. However, despite being in contention for a direct playoff qualification, many still do not view the Lakers as championship contenders this year. One of the main reasons being Doncic’s poor energy in defense. With James at 41, the Lakers’ lack of defense gets exposed far too often against young and athletic teams.

Another player whose performances went under the radar for the majority of the season is Cade Cunningham. The Detroit Pistons sit at the top of the Eastern Conference standings and the league with a 44-14 record, and this is largely due to the performances of their former number one pick in the 2021 NBA draft.

Former player turned analyst Kendrick Perkins named his top five NBA players on the Road Trippin show and had Cunningham in his list over Doncic.

SGA, Giannis, Jokic and guess who is right next after them? Cade Cunningham. Cade Cunningham has just leapfrogged Luka Doncic for top five NBA players in my eyes. Jaylen Brown is in that conversation right now. You know why? Forget the point he went and gave [the Knicks] a 40 piece all flats. It’s the 8 rebounds, it’s the 13 assists and Cade Cunningham plays both sides of the basketball.

Cunningham has finally started to show his potential after a rough start to his NBA career which was derailed by a long-term knee injury in his second season. Cunningham is having a career-best season and deserves to be a strong candidate for the MVP award. The Pistons guard is averaging 25.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists so far this season.

Kendrick Perkins urges Deandre Ayton to keep his ego in check

Drafted by the Phoenix Suns as the number one pick in the 2018 NBA draft, Deandre Ayton has struggled to cement his place as one of the best centers in the game. The 27-year-old center joined the Lakers in the offseason and has not performed to the mark. Recently, Ayton said the Lakers were trying to use him like Clint Capela.

Kendrick Perkins gave Ayton a harsh reality check after his statements. He said,

Deandre Ayton
Deandre Ayton (Image credits – Los Angeles Times)

You know what Deandre Ayton hasn’t accepted yet? That he’s not Beyoncé. MFer, you’re not irreplaceable. You’re not Beyoncé, You’re not irreplaceable. Your a— could be replaced. There’s about 10 MFers can do what they want Deandre Ayton to do: rim running, lob threats. They on their way in these next couple of drafts.

Currently in his eighth season in the NBA, Ayton is averaging 12.8 points and 8.4 rebounds in 51 appearances for the Lakers. It remains to be seen if Ayton can end the season on a high and secure his future in LA.

Kevin Durant is the greatest scorer to ever play basketball

Two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant is one of the, if not the most skilled, offensive players in NBA history. With four scoring titles to his name, he is undoubtedly one of the greatest scorers to play basketball.

Durant’s former teammate during their time in the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kendrick Perkins, crowned Durant as the greatest scorer ever on ESPN’s First Take.

He’s the greatest scorer to ever play the game of basketball. When you talk about a guy that has zero flaws, he’s Beyoncé on the offensive end. He’s flawless. When we talk about the greatest scorer, not only do I think what he can do on the offensive end, you know he has no holes in his game, but I also look at efficiency. When you talk about a guy that’s “Mr. 50/40/90”, it’s Kevin Durant.

Currently in his 18th season in the NBA, Durant has shown no signs of slowing down. The Houston Rockets forward is averaging 26.2 points and is shooting at 51% from the field, 40% from beyond the arc, and 89% from the line this season.

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