Serge Ibaka believes Kendrick Perkins’ “joke” about his age is no laughing matter.
During Monday’s edition of “First Take,” the ESPN analyst made a comment about Ibaka’s age that the Bucks forward clearly didn’t appreciate.
That initial remark led to a back-and-forth on Twitter between the former Thunder teammates, who played together from 2011 to 2015.
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Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins beef, explained
What did Kendrick Perkins say?
While discussing which NBA teams had the most at stake this season, Perkins compared the current Celtics to the Thunder team that reached the 2012 NBA Finals.
“We was a young team that actually went to the NBA Finals,” Perkins said. “And you know what everybody kept saying? Oh, Kevin Durant is only 23 years of age. Russell Westbrook is only 22. James Harden is 22.
“Serge Ibaka is 21, although he was probably 30 at the time because we already know how certain individuals lie about their age. But we’re not about to get into that.”
What did Serge Ibaka say?
Ibaka, 33, responded to a since-deleted clip of the “First Take” segment that had been circulating on Twitter. As The Athletic’s Law Murray noted, he had previously addressed age-related rumors five years ago, saying that Africans “need to take a stand” against allegations “based on stereotypes.”
Ibaka, who was born in the Republic of the Congo on Sept. 18, 1989, said in a Twitter thread that it was “disappointing to hear someone I shared a locker room with spreading misinformation to be relevant and get views on TV and social media.”
You can talk about my game If I don’t play well, I will never have a problem with that. But to talk extra for no reason is really not acceptable. It is disrespectful to me and I feel like it is disrespectful to many Africans who have to live with that unfounded accusation.
— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka) December 26, 2022
He added that he will always understand criticism regarding his on-court performance, but Perkins’ “unfounded” accusations about his age were “not acceptable.”
If I was 30 in OKC I guess I am 45 now? The truth is I never lied about my age and I work extremely hard everyday without cheating and I have never been suspended. Everyone in the league knows that. You cheated and didn’t respect the game.
— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka) December 26, 2022
Ibaka then claimed that Perkins broke the “locker room code” in Oklahoma City by “spreading lies” about Durant and Westbrook.
“When [Durant] had a bad game you criticized him behind his back, and when [Westbrook] had a bad game then you criticized him,” Ibaka tweeted.
When KD had a bad game you criticized him behind his back, and when Russ had a bad game then you criticized him. You were not a locker room leader, and then you continued doing the same in the media.
— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka) December 26, 2022
“I understand everyone needs to do their job and take care of their families, but you are proof not everybody knows how to do it with class and dignity,” Ibaka tweeted to conclude the thread. “I have more to say about you but I am not that kind of person, but this time you went too far.”
I understand everyone needs to do their job and take care of their families, but you are proof not everybody knows how to do it with class and dignity. I have more to say about you but I am not that kind of person, but this time you went too far.
— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka) December 26, 2022
Kendrick Perkins (sort of, but not really) apologizes
Perkins had an odd reaction to Ibaka’s thread. He initially responded by calling Ibaka overly “sensitive.”
Bro it was damn joke. Stop being so damn sensitive.
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) December 26, 2022
He then appeared to change his tone and offer an apology.
Hey @sergeibaka my bad homie if I offended you. It’s was a joke! My bad if it made you feel some type of way!!! My apologies my brother https://t.co/n1SCzEnQL1
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) December 26, 2022
But Perkins later shifted his focus to Ibaka’s comments about his behavior as a member of the Thunder, saying that Ibaka doesn’t want him to discuss “what you were doing in that locker room.”
Did you say spreading lies at @sergeibaka ? Please don’t get me started homie!!!! Please don’t. I’m not about to talk about those OKC days and what you were doing in that locker room. I will not… but you definitely need to stop because you know I KNOW!!!! Carry on tho…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) December 26, 2022
The beef has cooled down since that last tweet, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Perkins address the situation during his next appearance on an ESPN program.
