Kendrick Perkins tells Shannon Sharpe ‘fix your body language’ on First Take after shock call for LeBron James to retire
ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins has stunned his First Take colleagues by calling on LeBron James to retire.
The former NBA star, 39, made the comments during Monday’s edition of the sports debate show.
ESPN/First TakeKendrick Perkins has told off Shannon Sharpe for his body language live on air[/caption]
ESPN/First TakeThe ESPN analyst has called on LeBron James to retire[/caption]
GettyThe 39-year-old Lakers star is still hunting for his fifth NBA title[/caption]
Perkins joined Stephen A. Smith, Shannon Sharpe, and stand-in host Christine Williamson to talk all things NBA.
The analysts were asked if James, 39, having ten coaches over his illustrious two-decade career “hurt his GOAT case.”
James’ star power and career is often compared to NBA icon Michael Jordan.
LeBron‘s quest for a fifth NBA title ended in playoff heartbreak as his Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets last month.
The 39-year-old has since refused to rule out leaving the NBA behind.
NFL Hall of Famer Sharpe shook his head and put his hands on his face as Perkins discussed LeBron potentially hurting his “legacy” by continuing to play.
“Shannon, you can fix your body language,” Perkins told his ESPN colleague.
“I wish LeBron James would retire,” he said later in the segment.
“Not because I don’t want to see more of LeBron James.
“The more LeBron James continues to play the game of basketball, the more it’s going to hurt his legacy and the more it’s going to continue to hurt his GOAT argument.”
“I don’t think there’s anything that he could do to hurt his legacy on the court,” wrote one fan in response on X.
“I think he’s in the GOAT argument regardless,” said another.
“Lebron is one of the greatest to ever play the game and is playing at an elite level still after 20 years! Better than any other HoFer at the end of their career. His stats back it up,” argued a third.
Perkins joined Malika Andrews on ESPN’s NBA Today following his appearance on First Take.
And he doubled down on his comments, advising LeBron to go out while he’s still “on top.”
First Take viewing figures
First Take went from strength to strength under the guidance of Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim last year.
The weekday ESPN debate show averaged 496,000 viewers in 2023 – making it the most-watched year in program history.
Their December average of 611,000 was a 24 percent year-on-year increase compared to 2022.
The show also reported more than 250 million views on YouTube.
First Take was helped by the addition of Shannon Sharpe alongside Smith and Qerim after he left Fox Sports’ Undisputed.
“LeBron James said he’d never cheat the game of basketball, and we believe that,” Perkins said.
“He is going to continue to play at an elite level. If he can’t play at that level no more, he will walk away from the sport of basketball.
“I’m not saying he can’t go out there and average 25 or 28 points per game.
“All I’m saying is, why not retire when you’re on top?”
First Take airs every weekday from 10 am ET on ESPN.
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