In the 2020s, the best players in the NBA have mostly been European. As the likes of LeBron James and Stephen Curry entered the twilight of their careers, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Luka Doncic have taken over. And Kendrick Perkins thinks it’s an issue with American athletes.
After Trae Young was recently traded, Ja Morant’s name has come up in trade conversations. The Memphis Grizzlies will likely move on from the star guard as he’s about to enter what should be his prime. And Perkins used Ja’s example to question American superstars.
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Three years ago, we was just talking about Ja Morant being the face of the f****** league. being the face of the league!” Perkins said on the Road Trippin’ podcast. Comparing him to the European stars, Perkins added, “They’re not only taking over our league and setting the example on the floor… They’re doing it off the floor.”
“Jokic? We don’t have problems with him off the floor. Giannis? No problems with him off the floor. Luka? No problems with him whatsoever. Wemby.
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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant gestures during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
“In these next 3-4 years, they have so many franchise guys coming up through these drafts, that teams are saying, ‘I’m not f****** dealing with this bull****. I’m not gonna sit up here and have to max out a Ja Morant $200 million to deal with this headache no more.”
It’s hard to disagree with Perkins on this one. Non-American superstars have won the last seven MVPs, and that looks unlikely to change soon. Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum have the best chance at reversing this narrative.
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