Kendrick Perkins Calls Former Celtics Teammate Brian Scalabrine 'A Coward' After Brutal Comment

Former NBA center Kendrick Perkins called out former teammate Brian Scalabrine after Scal referred to Perk as a ‘banned’ figure in Boston.

Scalabrine, who played in the 2008 Boston Celtics championship team alongside Kendrick Perkins, revealed that Perk wasn't invited to the C's recent championship parade, which upset Perkins.

Scalabrine made the comments on SiriusXM and was asked about Perkins' absence from the parade.

"No, no, no, no, no, no," Scalabrine responded, calling Perk a pariah inside the Celtics organization.

"Big scarlet letter. … It’s not really an open-arms thing with Kendrick Perkins."

Perkins has been busy since leaving the NBA in 2018, playing as a journeyman. 

ORLANDO - Paul Pierce #34, Brian Scalabrine #44 and Kendrick Perkins #43 of the Boston Celtics walk onto the court against the Orlando Magic in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Celtics Kendrick Perkins and Brian Scalabrine. (Photo by Matthew West/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)

Responding to Scalabrine on the Felger & Mazz show, Perkins called his former teammate a "coward." He also shared that he hasn't kept up with the Celtics or former teams since leaving basketball and that he's focused on being a media figure.

Perkins explained that his absence at the championship parade shouldn't be considered surprising, even if other members of the 2008 Celtics team were seen there.

"Right now I feel like Scal is a coward," Perkins responded. 

Perk went on a minutes-long tirade where he separated himself from the Celtics, short of rebuking the team.

"Was I the only 2008 member missing from the duck boat? No, I wasn’t," Perkins said. 

"[Eddie] House, my guy, he was there. Leon Powe, great friend of mine as well, he was there. Scal was there and Paul [Pierce] was there. There was still 11 other guys missing. And to be honest with you, if I would’ve got an invite, which I didn’t — I didn’t know we was supposed to — but anyway, nine times out of 10, I would’ve turned it down."

The 39-year-old Perk is frequently seen on ESPN's NBA coverage, firing off hot takes at a low hit rate. In the meantime, Perkins won't be expected at any Celtics games, outside of assignments for the Mothership. 

Perhaps Perkins isn't telling the full story.

"That’s not our moment. That’s 2024’s moment," Perkins said. "Let those guys have their moment."

(Does Perkins have a point or was he intentionally left off the Celtics' guest list? Send us your thoughts: [email protected])

CHICAGO - ESPN Analyst, Kendrick Perkins, reports on the 2022 NBA Draft Combine on May 18, 2022 at Wintrust Arena. (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

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