Kendrick Perkins Reacts to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Being Snubbed From Top 10 Greatest Players List
Former NBA champion and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins has never been one to shy away from bold opinions, and he made headlines once again with his fiery response to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s exclusion from a recent list of the NBA’s top 10 greatest players. The debate erupted after a prominent sports media outlet released its all-time rankings, omitting the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar despite his historic 2023-24 season. Perkins, known for his passionate takes, did not hold back in defending SGA’s case as one of the game’s elite.
“How in the world do you leave Shai Gilgeous-Alexander off a top-10 list right now?” Perkins exclaimed on *NBA Today*. “This man is putting up MVP numbers, carrying a young Thunder team to contention, and dominating every single night. The disrespect is unreal.” Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished second in MVP voting this past season while averaging **30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game**, has undeniably entered the conversation as one of the league’s most unstoppable offensive forces. Yet, his absence from the list sparked outrage among players, analysts, and fans alike.
Perkins argued that SGA’s two-way impact sets him apart from many of his peers. “We’re talking about a guy who drops 30 a night *efficiently*, plays lockdown defense, and makes everyone around him better,” he said. “If you’re judging greatness by current production and influence on winning, Shai belongs in that top tier—no question.” The debate highlights the ever-evolving nature of NBA rankings, where legacy often clashes with present-day dominance. While the list in question likely favored established legends like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry, Perkins insisted that Gilgeous-Alexander’s recent body of work deserves recognition among the game’s best.
The snub also reignited discussions about small-market bias in NBA discourse. Despite leading the Thunder to the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed and earning All-NBA First Team honors, Gilgeous-Alexander has often been overshadowed by stars in larger media markets. Perkins pointed out the double standard: “If Shai was doing this in L.A. or New York, we’d be calling him a top-five player already. But because he’s in Oklahoma City, people act like they don’t see it.”
Gilgeous-Alexander himself has remained characteristically unfazed by the debate, focusing instead on team success. However, Perkins’ defense resonated with many who believe the 25-year-old guard is being undervalued in historical conversations. “Greatness isn’t just about rings or longevity—it’s about who’s the best *right now*,” Perkins concluded. “And right now, Shai is on a short list of players you’d take over almost anyone in the league.”
As the NBA continues to evolve, so too will the debates over its greatest players. But if Gilgeous-Alexander maintains his trajectory, it won’t be long before his name becomes impossible to omit—whether analysts are ready or not.
