Kendrick Perkins was one of many NBA award voters who picked Rudy Gobert as the 2023-24 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
However, if the 39-year-old ESPN commentator could do it again, he would make a different decision.
Perkins discussed his vote for Gobert on ESPN's "First Take" Tuesday. He got a bit hyperbolic when discussing his vote, which he now deems to be a mistake.
"I have the biggest regret in my media career," Perkins said. "I'm retiring from voting for regular season awards because I have done a disservice using my voting rights. Me voting this season for Rudy Gobert [for Defensive Player of the Year] is an embarrassment for me."
Kendrick Perkins says that he's embarrassed he used his Defensive Player of the Year vote on Rudy Gobert and calls it the biggest regret of his media career.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 28, 2024
"He has tarnished the Defensive Player of the Year award. He has. He's not respected by his peers. We saw what happened… pic.twitter.com/P4ykITaNZu
Perkins elaborated on his opinion. He explained that while the stats surrounding Goberrt were solid, the Minnesota center has been attacked too often during the Timberwolves' postseason run to be considered the league's best player.
"He's the first player that we see every single time in the postseason that becomes a defensive liability," Perkins griped. "Don't come give me these analytics. Don't come giving me those plus-minus stats, because that's the most overrated stat in the NBA."
Beyond Gobert's performance, Perkins also says he can clearly see that his opponents don't believe the 31-year-old Frenchman is a high-end defender.
"When I look at Rudy, he has tarnished the Defensive Player of the Year award," Perkins said. "He has. He's not respected by his peers. We saw what happened to him in the Denver series, he couldn't even guard the person at his position. Karl-Anthony Towns did a better job at that."
"What is he doing right now?" Perkins added. "When you look at this series right now, do we realize that Rudy has three blocks in three games? He's averaging one block per game. At 7-3. Unacceptable to say he's a four-time Defensive Player of the Year."
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Rudy Gobert stats
Indeed, Gobert's stats against the Mavericks haven't been as strong as those he posted during the regular season. He has still posted respectable numbers, but his defense hasn't been as ferocious as it once was.
| Situation | Games | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks |
| Regular-season | 76 | 14.0 | 12.9 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 2.1 |
| Postseason | 13 | 12.2 | 10.2 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 1.1 |
Minnesota has paid the price for Gobert's decline, especially against the Mavericks. The Timberwolves have surrendered 111 points per game to the Mavericks after allowing 99.6 points per game across their first 11 playoff games.
That defensive step back has made it all the more difficult for the Timberwolves to eke out wins, especially with Towns struggling on offense.
Still, Perkins identifying voting for Gobert as "the biggest regret of his media career" is probably a bit over-the-top. After all, this is the same analyst who once claimed Deandre Ayton was the next David Robinson and who, just a few months ago, advocated for Domantas Sabonis to get MVP consideration.
So, while Gobert may be having a down series, it shouldn't make Perkins regret picking him as the regular-season Defensive Player of the Year too much.
MORE: What is drop coverage? Explaining defensive scheme used by Rudy Gobert, other NBA bigs
Kendrick Perkins NBA Awards ballot
Perkins had Gobert, Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Davis as his top three Defensive Player of the Year award choices. As such, it stands to reason that he would choose Wembanyama as the award winner if given a do-over.
But did Perkins have any strange picks in his NBA Awards ballot? Here's a look at his votes for each honor this season:
| Award | First | Second | Third |
| MVP | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder | Jalen Brunson, Knicks | Nikola Jokic, Nuggets |
| Coach of the Year | Tom Thibodeau, Knicks | Mark Daigneault, Thunder | Jamahl Mosley, Magic |
| Rookie of the Year | Victor Wembanyama, Spurs | Chet Holmgren, Thunder | Jaime Jaquez Jr., Heat |
| Sixth Man of the Year | Malik Monk, Kings | Naz Reid, Timberwolves | Bobby Portis, Bucks |
| Defensive Player of the Year | Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves | Victor Wembanyama, Spurs | Anthony Davis, Lakers |
| Most Improved Player | Tyrese Maxey, 76ers | Coby White, Bulls | Jalen Brunson, Knicks |
| Clutch Player of the Year | Stephen Curry, Warriors | Jalen Brunson, Knicks | Nikola Jokic, Nuggets |
And Perkins' All-NBA team choices were as follows:
All-NBA first-team
- Jalen Brunson, Knicks
- Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
- Luka Doncic, Mavericks
- Jayson Tatum, Celtics
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
All-NBA second-team
- Kevin Durant, Suns
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
- Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
- LeBron James, Lakers
- Tyrese Maxey, 76ers
All-NBA third-team
- Stephen Curry, Warriors
- Anthony Davis, Lakers
- Kawhi Leonard, Clippers
- Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
- Paolo Banchero, Magic
Perkins may have deviated a bit from the norm, but his ballots all seemed to be respectable. Soon enough we'll see if he regrets anything besides his decision to name Gobert the Defensive Player of the Year.
