Kendrick Perkins calls out ‘pile of s**t’ Rockets in Lakers series

The Houston Rockets face a pivotal Game 3 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, trailing 0-2 in their first-round playoff series, as former NBA player Kendrick Perkins delivered a harsh assessment of Houston’s performance.

Perkins criticized the Rockets during a recent episode of The Road Trippin’ Show, pointing to issues across the roster and coaching staff.

“The Rockets look like a pile of s**t, and I mean a pasture of it. A pasture of s**t, all across the board. Starting with their coach, all the way down. They are a dysfunctional group. They’re embarrassing to watch. The Lakers came into this series as a heavy underdog… Sengun is looking like a liability, offensively and defensively. This is a guy that’s quote unquote their franchise guy. Kevin Durant, he comes back pouting, bad body language, complaining, yelling at his teammates. He’s supposed to be empowering those guys.”

Perkins’ comments reflect Houston’s early struggles in the series. The Rockets have averaged 96 points through two games while shooting 39% from the field and 29% from three-point range, both among the lowest marks in the postseason. Meanwhile, Los Angeles has scored 104 points per game on 52.9% shooting, including a league-best 48.9% from beyond the arc.

Individually, Alperen Sengun has posted 19.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game, but has shot just 38.5% from the field, highlighting inefficiency concerns raised by Perkins. Kevin Durant returned in the Game 2 loss after missing the opener with a knee contusion, finishing with 23 points, six rebounds and four assists. However, he also committed nine turnovers after scoring 20 points in the first half.

“The Rockets look like a pile of sh*t… Starting with their coach all the way down… They’re embarrassing to watch.”

Kendrick Perkins on Houston going down 0-2 to the Lakers

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Kendrick Perkins rips Rockets’ execution, contrasts Lakers’ leadership and coaching edge

Perkins continued his critique, pointing to specific moments that he viewed as indicative of broader issues within Houston’s approach.

“Reed Sheppard pulled up a three in transition. They got the rebound, kicked it to KD and he had a little 15-footer but he was running the lane and he just pitched a b**ch about Reed Sheppard not kicking it ahead and the pull up tre and I’m like bro, ‘no, no, no, no.’”

He contrasted Houston’s play with Los Angeles’ execution and leadership.

“On the other side of things, we’re watching LeBron James empower Luke Kennard, ‘oh, we got a transition three? I don’t give a damn if I’m running the lane, shoot that thing.’ JJ Redick is coaching circles around Ime Udoka. One team looks fully prepared and the other team don’t.”

The Lakers have managed their early success without Luka Doncic, who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Austin Reaves is listed as questionable for Game 3 as he continues to recover from an oblique strain.

Houston will attempt to respond and avoid a 3-0 deficit when the series resumes Friday at 5:00 p.m. PT on Prime Video.

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