Thunder: Perkins should start talking
I was like everyone else. Massive disappointment in the Kendrick Perkins story from last week. The Thunder center was charged in his hometown of Beaumont, Texas, with public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Perkins has proclaimed his innocence, through a public-relations spokesperson.
I have no idea if Perkins is guilty. I’ve liked Gran Torino since the February day he showed up in the trade from Boston. He talked straight. I liked that. Talked straight and changed a team’s culture and accepted responsibility for his own failures.
So I put a lot of stock in Perkins. Of course, I’ve also always put a lot of stock in peace officers, nationwide. We’ve got some clunkers wearing badges, but danged few. So I don’t know what happened.
But this I do know. I don’t believe any PR flack. Denise White, a publicist for Perkins, emailed our man Darnell Mayberry and proclaimed her client’s innocence and how Perkins feels he was wronged. She and Perkins’ lawyer prattled on about police brutality and getting the “real facts” out there. She also said Perkins would not be available for comment.
What a crock. Hey, Gran Torino, let me tell you what Clint Eastwood would not do in this kind of situation. He wouldn’t hide behind some shill. If he felt he was wronged, he would say so. Or at least, keep quiet and not let anyone else do his talking for him.
Here’s what we want out of Perkins. Tell us why your hometown police think you were drunk if you weren’t. Tell us why your hometown police think you were disorderly if you weren’t. And OK, maybe the city of Beaumont hired on some bad apples to tame the streets. But if so, tell us why you skipped the final day of your youth basketball camp and the banquet that night.
We know what White said; that doctors ordered home rest, because of dehydration. So then tell us why you skipped out on the kids but went out to a party — your shill’s word — with friends, where the legal problems began.
Looks bad. Looks real bad. Looks even worse when Gran Torino goes silent and lets someone else do his talking for him.
-------------Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel. Visit Berry's website here.
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Comments
Public Intoxication arrests are easy ways for cops to arrest people that disagree with them (and sometimes for being black in public). Charles Thompson’s case ring a bell? He was found guilty and his case was reversed on appeal for a complete lack of evidence.
I am not saying that him skipping out on his charity day and being at a party that night was a good choice. But if what they say is true about it being a fundraiser and all he had was water, then why is that a huge issue?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FArP_q_eEBA&feature=related
@Robert – if this is why cops arrest (sometimes for being black in public), I guess I’m gonna stick with being on the cop’s side
Manager & several PD on location were NOT white. Just because you have $$$ to throw around does not mean the bar will stay open past 2am and $$$ does not make you above the law. Rules are rules, no matter who you are. Nothing racist about this incident.
K-Perk had already been to the hospital the morning before for an altercation at Steven Jackson’s house and told the media he could not participate in his camps celebrity game, which was canceled. K-Perk did not show up for the camp banquet because he was dehydrated so he elects to get drunk that night with his homies.
What does this show the youth he was supposed to be promoting?
Perhaps Perk’s lawyer told him to stay quiet, at least until he has his day in court. That makes more sense to me than transforming into Clint Eastwood, regardless if he is innocent or not. Well, to be fair, I’m sureeven Clint Eastwood would stay quiet if fighting a criminal charge, his on-screen persona might not, but Clint the person would. This could effectively cost Perk millions of dollars, so if I had his ear, the last thing I would tell him to do is listen to some reporter. No offense, Barry, but stick to reporting, not giving legal advice to anyone.
@beaumont: What does this video have anything to do with Kendrick Perkins? And whether or not he had been drinking? And whether or not he had a dispute with the bar owner over fundraising revenue?
@P Eye: How do you know he was drinking?
Hey Mr Moral Rigidity urrr Tramel, show me one other time that Perkins has had this type of trouble ?
And the fact it was in his home town, makes it even more suspect. Sort’ve like you and Norman, ya know not everybody you grew up with, loves your arse.
And Perkins does not have to talk to you. Who made you the moral authority ?