The Dallas Mavericks made sure they put on a show in front of their home crowd to take a 2-1 lead in their series against the Los Angeles Clippers. This time, the captain of the ship was not just Luka Doncic, but also Kyrie Irving, who managed to impress former champion Kendrick Perkins. The ex-Boston Celtics center took this opportunity to not just credit Irving, but also give a fitting reply to Mavericks governor Mark Cuban, for his remarks on Luka Doncic’s leadership. 

Right before the Mavericks defeated the Clippers, 101-90, Perkins tweeted, “Kyrie leadership has been a huge bright spot this year for the Mavs!!! Carry the hell on…,“ crediting Irving for his efficient 21-point display today. Although Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are the two anchors of the team, analysts have often chosen only one of them as the leader for the Mavericks. Perkins believes it is Irving, but Mark Cuban thinks it is Luka Doncic. 

During an interview earlier this month, Cuban told the media, “Luka always takes the blame… I get and I respect that he wants to take the blame, but it’s not on him,” making a case to highlight Doncic’s leadership ability. He also called out Perkins for criticizing Doncic. The former Celtics big man has often had a problem with Doncic’s “accountability“. Even after the game today, Perkins went on to throw the spotlight only on Irving’s leadership but ignored Doncic’s. 

However, at the same time, Perkins has had a few problems with Irving’s leadership in the past. Let’s take a look at it. 

Kendrick Perkins once called out Kyrie Irving for his “lack of leadership“

2020 was a rough year for Irving overall. He was subjected to a lot of backlash, and Perkins was also one of them. Irving was with the Brooklyn Nets in 2020. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Perkins tweeted, “If you take Kyrie Irving’s brain and put it in a bird right now, guess what that bird is going to do…It’s going to fly backward because Kyrie right now is confused, he’s showing his lack of leadership.“

The Nets made it to the playoffs that season but got swept by the Celtics in the very first round. Four years later, it looks like the 2008 champion has finally witnessed a change in Irving’s qualities. Also, what’s to be noted here is that Perkins has endorsed Irving throughout the season this year. He has often called Irving and Doncic one of the best backcourt duos in the NBA. And finally today, the badge for leadership was also given to the 2016 champion!