Kevin Durant Trolls Kendrick Perkins Over 2012 Thunder MVP Claim

The 2011-12 Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, reached the NBA Finals but lost to the Miami Heat. Former center Kendrick Perkins claims he was the key defensive player who helped the team overcome opponents like Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Tim Duncan in that playoff run, asserting the Thunder never reached the Finals until his arrival. Perkins detailed his defensive assignments and impact during the playoffs, which sparked a sarcastic response from Durant, who called Perkins the "real MVP" in a social media post referencing his 2014 MVP speech. Durant's reaction highlighted the ongoing tension between the two, further fueled by Perkins' past criticism of Durant's leadership and career decisions. While Perkins provided a strong defensive presence, statistics show opposing stars still produced significant numbers, suggesting his impact, though valuable, may be overstated. Currently, the Thunder, led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, are positioned for another deep playoff run with a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals, aiming for the franchise's first championship.