One really can’t forget the LA Clippers bottling a 3-1 lead in the second round of the 2020 playoffs. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were nowhere to be found when their team was struggling in Game 7. As a result, they had to carry the blame for putting up a miserable performance that crushed the expectations of the fans. 

The Clippers’ superstar duo received a lot of flak following their playoff exit. The NBA community was eagerly anticipating an all-LA conference final clash for the first time in history. Kawhi and PG were compared to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but we found out which duo meant real business. 

Likewise, 2008 NBA champion Kendrick Perkins negates that Leonard and George possess the same skillset as LeBron and AD do. “You look at LeBron and AD but you really couldn’t compare Paul George and Kawhi to LeBron and A.D,” Perkins mentioned on ‘The Ringer’ podcast. 

Well, that’s a statement which tons of fans would agree. But Perkins escalated a step further and identified the main reason behind the Clippers bottling their chance.

“I say this time and time again, the reason I didn’t trust the Clippers was because I didn’t trust Paul George!” Perkins exclaimed. 

Also Read | Clippers’ Paul George Points Out the Reasons for His Struggles in the Orlando Bubble

Why Kendrick Perkins has zero trust in the LA Clippers and Paul George

An avid NBA fan needs no rewind button to remind them about the hype the 2020 LA Clippers received. Of course, a team with stars like Leonard and George would be considered favorites, but they failed to succeed.

George averaged 20.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in the playoffs, but shot just 39.8% from the field. He wasn’t the player from his Indiana days, and Kendrick Perkins is aware of how PG fails to step up when the situation demands.

“It was overtime what he done with the Thunder, like I told you in a close-out game with the Utah Jazz, Russ was going there and have 45. [Paul George] had five points and I watched Paul George just have these lapses where he would just disappear in the big moments,” he stated. 

“So I’m like you know what I really don’t trust him like he’s gonna have to show me,” Perkins further added. Furthermore, Doc Rivers was the HC of the Clips, and Tyronn Lue was his assistant in the coaching team.

Now Perkins is quite thick with both of these coaches as he’s played under them during different stints. But when the former Celtic was rooting for the Lakers, Rivers and Lue raised an eyebrow, to which he replied: 

“I’m like ‘Yeah it’s not because of y’all though, I don’t trust Paul George’”

It is quite evident that Paul George has lost the trust of Kendrick Perkins. In fact, we’re unsure if he earned it in the first place. However, George has signed a massive extension with LA and we’ll see how it works out when the season unfolds!

Also Read | “I’m on Motherf**ker’s A**es”: Clippers’ Paul George Leaves a Bold Message Ahead of Next NBA Season