Kendrick Perkins has called out what he sees as a double standard in how NBA fans and analysts judge LeBron James compared to Nikola Jokic.
Following the Denver Nuggets’ 112-105 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5, fans began calling for more help around Jokic despite his stellar performance—44 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and two steals on 68% shooting, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Denver blew a 12-point third-quarter lead and struggled late in the game, going seven minutes without a field goal until Jokic finally ended the drought. With no other Nugget stepping up during the crunch time, the blame quickly shifted to the lack of supporting cast around the reigning MVP.
Perkins took to X (formerly Twitter) to address the contrasting narratives.
“Bron gets tired at 40 years old and people question his greatness… but Jokic gets tired and it’s ‘he needs more help.’ We gotta stop moving the goal post,” Perkins wrote.
LeBron James has often faced heavy criticism for not maintaining peak energy throughout games, despite being 40 years old and carrying a heavy career workload. When the Lakers fall short, the conversation often centers on James’ diminishing impact, rather than his lack of support.
In contrast, when the Nuggets lose, the focus tends to shift toward Jokic’s supporting cast—or lack thereof. Jokic, a three-time MVP and statistical powerhouse, is frequently shielded from criticism, even when his team underperforms.
Perkins’ comments highlight a growing conversation among fans and analysts about how narratives are shaped around star players—and how inconsistent those standards can be.