Kendrick Perkins is never one to hold back his opinions, and he certainly wasn’t going to stay quiet after JJ Redick suggested that the Los Angeles Lakers looked “tired” during their recent struggles. On ESPN’s First Take, Redick analyzed the Lakers’ performance, pointing out that their body language and energy levels seemed to be slipping as the season wore on.
But Perk wasn’t having it.
Perkins Fires Back
The former NBA big man and outspoken analyst strongly disagreed with Redick’s assessment, calling it an “excuse” and challenging the idea that fatigue is a valid reason for the Lakers’ inconsistent play.
“Hold on, hold on,” Perk interjected. “We’re talking about LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and a team full of veterans. You’re telling me they’re just ‘tired’? That’s what we’re doing now? Making excuses?”
Perkins argued that while LeBron is in his 21st season and has logged heavy minutes, the real issue isn’t exhaustion—it’s execution. According to Perk, the Lakers’ struggles come down to lack of urgency, effort, and consistency, not just fatigue.
“If you’re out there playing, you gotta bring it every night. The greats don’t make excuses,” he added.
Are the Lakers Really Tired?
Redick’s point wasn’t completely baseless. The Lakers have dealt with injuries, a demanding schedule, and heavy workloads for their key players. LeBron, at nearly 40 years old, has had to carry a significant offensive load, while Anthony Davis has been asked to anchor the defense on a nightly basis. When you combine that with a deep Western Conference full of younger, faster teams, the Lakers’ occasional sluggishness is understandable.
But Perkins sees it differently. He believes the Lakers have enough depth and leadership to overcome any signs of fatigue and that a championship-contending team can’t afford to look “tired” this early in the season.
“Look at the Nuggets, look at the Celtics—are we saying they look tired? No. Because they handle their business,” Perk argued.
Lakers’ Response on the Court
The real question is: How will the Lakers respond? If fatigue truly is an issue, they’ll need to adjust by managing minutes, improving rotations, and finding energy from their younger role players like Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. If Perkins is right, and this is more about mentality than exhaustion, then the Lakers need to lock in, tighten up their defense, and play with more intensity.
LeBron has made it clear throughout his career that he doesn’t believe in excuses. Whether they’re tired or not, the Lakers will need to prove their doubters wrong—because in the NBA, no one feels sorry for a struggling team, no matter how many miles are on their legs.
🔥 What do you think? Are the Lakers really tired, or is it something else?
