Richard Jefferson Claps Back at Kendrick Perkins for Calling Giannis Antetokounmpo a ‘Coward’

Richard Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins had a heated exchange after the latter called Giannis Antetokounmpo a "coward".

Richard Jefferson Claps Back at Kendrick Perkins for Calling Giannis Antetokounmpo a ‘Coward’

Richard Jefferson (Left) and Kendrick Perkins (Right) (image credits - Firstsportz)

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There is no doubt that Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the NBA today. While his performances have not translated into playoff success in recent years, he is still a player who could shift the tide to his favor whenever needed. Since the trade of Damian Lillard back to Portland, Antetokounmpo has not been a happy figure in Milwaukee.

It is not a secret anymore that Giannis Antetokounmpo wants to leave the Milwaukee Bucks. The ‘Greek Freak’ requested for a trade in the offseason but no deal was materialized and hence, Antetokounmpo decided to stay for another season. But it seems like the Bucks forward is running out of patience after a poor start to the season, as they currently find themselves in the play-in position at tenth place with a disappointing 11-15 record.

Despite not getting what he wanted, it has not stopped Antetokounmpo from performing at an MVP level. The 31-year-old is averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists this season. If the Bucks had a better record, he would be in contention for his third league MVP award.

The speculations around Antetokounmpo are getting louder with each passing day. It was reported that the two-time MVP even called for a meeting with Bucks teammates and told them not let the outside noise affect the team’s performances because the final outcome, at the end of the day, is not in his hands.

During a segment about Antetokounmpo in the latest episode of the Road Trippin’ Show, former NBA player and ESPN analyst, Kendrick Perkins had a few harsh words for Antetokounmpo, calling him a “coward”, and it did not sit well with Richard Jefferson, who fired back at Perkins.

Who are you, me, her, Channing, to tell Giannis how to handle the exit from a team that he won an MVP, a championship, and a Finals MVP with? Who are we to tell him how to handle this? They have a team… and you’re talking about ‘I’m tired of this’. No one gives a f**k, Giannis doesn’t give a f**k what you’re tired about, nor should he, respectfully.

All eyes will be on Antetokounmpo till the end of the trade deadline, as a trade of this caliber could shake up the NBA and change the odds of championship contenders.

NBA reporter reveals that teams are lining up for Giannis Antetokounmpo

It is not a surprise that teams are lining up to sign the 2021 NBA champion. While Antetokounmpo was interested in joining the New York Knicks in the offseason, the Knicks felt that they did not have enough assets to interest the Bucks after using their picks to trade for Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges.

Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Image credits – Sky Sports)

Recently, there were reports that Antetokounmpo would prefer a move to the Miami Heat if the Knicks trade does not work out. A lot of noise but nothing of interest as of yet.

NBA reporter Marc Stein said that the Bucks would not trade Antetokounmpo unless he forces them to.

Teams are calling and the Bucks keep telling teams he’s not available. The only way there will be Giannis sweepstakes is if he goes to the Bucks and says ‘I want out’. He has to firmly say it and that has not happened. They’ve danced around it, they’ve danced around it in summer time but the Bucks do not want to trade him.

Perkins may have been right. If Antetokounmpo was open about his willingness to leave, then there would be no conversations and noise surrounding him and the club. At the end of the day, he has earned that right and will go down as one of the greatest players to have ever played for the franchise, if not the greatest.

Shaquille O’Neal weighs in on the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation

As Antetokounmpo continues to nurse a calf injury on the court and stay quiet off of it, new rumors emerge every day. That is the nature of the league, especially if a player like Antetokounmpo is involved.

NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, who is well aware of how the business works in the NBA, had some words of advice for the forward on the “The Dunker Spot” podcast.

Do what’s best for you and your family. In this business, they just say there’s nobody who cares. My favorite Michael Jackson song is ‘They Don’t Care About Us’ and you know, when you’re doing great, they love you, but when s— starts to hit the fan? You gotta do what’s best for your family. Because guess what, the organization’s going to do what’s best for them. Everybody’s expendable. I said to myself, anybody can be dog meat, and I got traded, right?

O’Neal has been traded multiple times himself during his career in the NBA. Despite helping the Los Angeles Lakers win three consecutive NBA championships, he was traded to the Miami Heat and had stints in multiple clubs after that.

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