Drake is often found on the sidelines during big Toronto Raptors games. With LeBron James in town, it was no surprise that he was posted up on the sideline for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. But what we didn’t expect, was him getting into it with Kendrick Perkins.
Here are Drake and Perkins, going back and forth while Jose Calderon tries to (smartly) keep Drake back at the end of the first half.
DRAKE VS KENDRICK PERKINS?! OK pic.twitter.com/ecl3VKRBmp — Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 2, 2018
And it happened again after the Cavaliers stole Game 1 from the Cavs.
Drake and Kendrick Perkins exchanged more words postgame pic.twitter.com/Z0rdXDe1uL — Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 2, 2018
Bruce Arthur appeared to have heard some of the second exchange.
This went all the way into the tunnel, with Drake calling Perkins a "f------ p----" and calling for him to come out. "I'm here in real life," he said. He was mad. https://t.co/3DJ2HBvrWN — Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) May 2, 2018
After the game, Perkins cleared up his side of the story in regards to how the shouting matches got started.
In a text message to ESPN, Kendrick Perkins says: “What happened was I was talking to my old teammate Serge (Ibaka) walking into halftime telling him ‘We about to win this game,’ and Drake butted in talking shit to me. So I said something back to him.” https://t.co/sJ3Ntx6zVy — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 2, 2018
I know Drake works out and likes to think he’s in fairly good shape, but he does not want that Kendrick Perkins problem. Perkins in 6’10, and weighs 270 pounds, per Basketball Reference. According to a quick Google search, Drake is 5’11, and weighs 172.
Just based on the size matchup, he really does not want a piece of Big Perk. It doesn’t matter what was said between the two, Drake has a whole lot to lose in that moment. NBA players are some of the best athletes on the planet, and Drake is... Drake. A good musician, and probably not a great fighter unless he’s been keeping a black belt from us. Which, sure, is totally possible.
Drake should probably not try any player on either bench.
CLOSE SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports NBA reporters Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt break down Tuesday night's playoff action. USA TODAY Sports
Drake talks to LeBron James during Game 1. (Photo: John E. Sokolowski, USA TODAY Sports)
TORONTO — Rapper and Toronto Raptors brand ambassador Drake had multiple heated exchanges with Cleveland Cavaliers reserve center Kendrick Perkins on Tuesday night.
One exchanged happened in the immediate aftermath of Cleveland’s 113-112 overtime victory in which Drake cursed at Perkins as Perkins, who was inactive for the game and wearing a suit, headed to the locker room.
“I’m here in real life,” Drake yelled.
Drake, who during the game was at his usual courtside seat, also had words with Perkins as Cleveland left the court at halftime. Cavs guard Jose Calderon, who previously played for the Raptors, tried to calm down Drake, and Cavs guard J.R. Smith implored Perkins to leave the court.
(Video contains NSFW language)
Drake and Kendrick Perkins exchanged more words postgame pic.twitter.com/Z0rdXDe1uL — Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 2, 2018
Earlier in the day, USA TODAY Sports asked Perkins about hecklers and replied, “I’ve said something back to fans before. As grown men, you’re going to say things back. It’s happens. You’re going to retaliate in certain circumstances.”
Cooler heads didn’t exactly prevail with time. Perkins left Air Canada Center with his trademark scowl.
The NBA playoffs are a highly physical and emotional affair, which often leads to bad blood, beef and sometimes even actual scuffles on the floor. Usually those feuds involve players on the floor, but such is not the case in the second-round series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors.
No, the latest showdown from that series involves none other than noted rapper, Drake, and glorified Cavs assistant coach Kendrick Perkins. Drake, of course, is a usual at Raptors games, sitting courtside in the same seat every single game. We've seen him exchange words with players before, including John Wall and Kelly Oubre during the Raptors' first-round series against the Washington Wizards.
But this time the drama escalated to more than just friendly barbs during the game. It started at halftime, with the two yelling at each other as the Cavs made their way off the floor.
But that wasn't the end of it, as the two also sparred verbally after the final buzzer.
Drake and Kendrick Perkins exchanged more words postgame pic.twitter.com/Z0rdXDe1uL — Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 2, 2018
Drake, according to reports from media at the game, was genuinely upset about the incident after the game.
This went all the way into the tunnel, with Drake calling Perkins a "f------ p----" and calling for him to come out. "I'm here in real life," he said. He was mad. https://t.co/3DJ2HBvrWN — Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) May 2, 2018
Drake was steamed as he left the arena. Was yelling that nobody should speak to him like that. https://t.co/uRfv5oDwUu — Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) May 2, 2018
Following the game, which the Cavaliers won 113-112 in overtime to take a 1-0 lead in the series, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski got in touch with Perkins to hear his side of the story. Not much here, except Perkins acknowledging the two were talking trash.
In a text message to ESPN, Kendrick Perkins says: “What happened was I was talking to my old teammate Serge (Ibaka) walking into halftime telling him ‘We about to win this game,’ and Drake butted in talking shit to me. So I said something back to him.” https://t.co/sJ3Ntx6zVy — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 2, 2018
So, first of all, what a random and bizarre beef!
Also, it wouldn't be shocking if Perkins crossed a line in the heat of the moment, but, of course, without a transcript of the exchange, we'll never know. However, it's probably best for Drake that Perkins didn't actually come back out. An actual fight between those two would not end well for Mr. Graham.
