“All due respect to LeBron James but the Los Angeles Clippers are better”: Kendrick Perkins firmly predicts Paul George and co are favored over the ‘GOAT’ and the Lakers

Kendrick Perkins believes the Los Angeles Clippers are currently the favorites to win the West, over LeBron James and the Lakers. 

It seems as though no team in this COVID-ravaged 2020-21 NBA season can stay healthy for extended periods of time. Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers have had to put out lineups with a bevy of their stars sidelined due to injuries, such as the Lakers without LeBron James and Anthony Davis, while the Clips have had to manage with Kawhi Leonard and Serge Ibaka out for over a month. 

The Clippers however, have fared extremely well in their time since the All-Star break, posting up a record of 19-7. Paul George has been at the helm, leading the Clips to impressive wins over contending teams and remaining competitive as Kawhi Leonard continues to tend to a sore right foot. 

With the Clippers rolling, Kendrick Perkins has shifted his faith from believing in LeBron James, to going all out with a prediction regarding the Ty Lue led squad. 

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Kendrick Perkins says the Clippers will get out of the West, instead of the Lakers. 

Kendrick Perkins, known for being a LeBron James fanatic, took to ESPN Los Angeles yesterday to say that he currently has the Los Angeles Clippers coming out of the Western Conference, instead of the Lakers. In all fairness, the Lakers have been in a pseudo-freefall, even after getting Anthony Davis back from injury. 

“With all due respect to the GOAT, LeBron James, the Clippers are looking like the favorites to come out of the West this year! The only thing that the Clippers were missing was a floor general and a leader. They got that in Rajon Rondo. A guy that’s going to help out Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and get guys into their spots.”

With all due respect to the 🐐 @KingJames the @LAClippers are looking like the favorite to come out of the Western Conference this year! Carry on… https://t.co/SFO79lx4pG

— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) April 29, 2021

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Though Rondo’s stats don’t jump out of the page, he’s most certainly a crucial piece for the Clippers going forward. Kawhi and PG finally have a true point guard at the 1, someone who’s not opposed to posting 6 points and 8 assists a night. Surprisingly, the trio of Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Rajon Rondo has played merely 12 minutes together this season. 

On the other hand, the Lakers cannot be dismissed as they do not have their clear-cut best player, LeBron James. Given the fact that the Clippers combusted in the second round last season, while the Lakers went out and won a championship, the latter should be given the benefit of the doubt until proven wrong.