The tension between Kendrick Perkins and Bill Simmons reached new heights following a fiery exchange sparked by comments made during the 2025 NBA Draft. The feud kicked off after Perkins boldly predicted that Toronto’s first-round draft pick would elevate the Raptors into the top six of the Eastern Conference a statement that didn’t sit well with Simmons.

During his live draft reaction, Simmons scoffed at Perkins’ take, suggesting it was enough reason to "find a third broadcast option" beyond ESPN or ABC. Perkins, never one to shy away from confrontation, quickly fired back in a passionate rant, calling Simmons “bitter” and accusing him of acting like the self-appointed gatekeeper of basketball.

"Who Gave You the Keys?"

Perkins didn’t hold back. “Who the hell gave you the keys to the game of basketball?” he asked. “Just because someone doesn’t say things the way you would, or ESPN doesn’t cover it how you’d like, doesn’t make it wrong.” Perkins went on to highlight how Simmons has been detached from ESPN for over a decade, questioning why he still takes jabs at the network and its analysts.

He also criticized Simmons for being more interested in gossip than basketball itself. The former NBA big man, now an analyst, expressed frustration with what he perceives as elitism in sports commentary. “What have you even done in the game of basketball?” Perkins asked. “Have you ever played?”

The heated back-and-forth continued on social media, where Perkins called Simmons a “cupcake ass” and claimed the sports commentator always has his name in his mouth. Despite the controversy, Perkins stood by his Raptors prediction, insisting it wasn’t outlandish.

“That’s a real take,” he said. “You just didn’t like who it came from. Stay mad.”