Animosity first developed between Zach Randolph and Kendrick Perkins during the 2011 Playoffs, when the two engaged in battle on the low block throughout a hard-fought, seven-game Western Conference Semifinals series. Randolph, who was in the midst of putting together one of the more remarkable playoff runs in recent memory, dominated in three Grizzly victories, but Memphis ultimately went on to lose by 15 points in the deciding contest. Many of you likely recall Z-Bo’s assertion that Kendrick Perkins stood no chance in trying to guard him, stating that Perk is “too slow” and that he told him so “to his face.”
Now it seems that Randolph not only believes that Perkins can’t guard him, but that he can’t fight him, either. Late in Wednesday’s nationally-televised game between the Grizzlies and Thunder, Randolph could be heard telling Perkins he’d “beat his ass.” It happened after the Grizzlies had essentially secured themselves a victory, and both players were ejected by referee Ken Mauer. Listen carefully around the five-second mark of the following video…
Seems like pretty standard trash talk to me, but I suppose Mr. Mauer figured he ought not to let the situation get out of hand in a game that was all but decided. According to reports, however, the situation still got out of hand. It didn’t happen in front of the cameras, but supposedly in the area around the locker rooms. Via SBNation…
Zach Randolph and Kendrick Perkins may have engaged in a physical altercation after being ejected from the Memphis Grizzlies’ 107-97 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night.
Darnell Mayberry of The Oklahoman first tweeted the two “had an altercation near the locker rooms. Police investigating.” Later, however, Mayberry sent out that “Police captain saying an altercation did not take place and there is no investigation underway.”
Other tweets, however, indicated that something may still have occurred, but the police involved are not commenting further:
@johnhollinger Oh, there was something. We had a NewsOK staffer who heard the yelling and something hitting against walls, doors. — Jenni Carlson (@JenniCarlson_OK) November 15, 2012
I asked an OKC police officer what happened and he smiled and said “no comment.” — Royce Young (@dailythunder) November 15, 2012
Perkins offered no help on the incident, declining to speak to reporters in the locker room.
Being that the police aren’t going to investigate any further, it seems unlikely that we’ll ever know exactly what (if anything) actually happened last night. So, I’m just going to assume Randolph whipped Kendrick upside the head with his trusty pool cue.
i think it is childish if they did fight, i mean leave that stuff on the court. all they are wanting from this is attention. just because you fight about something doesnt tell the other person that he is better than you at a specific sport, now it does earn respect but doesn’t say you are better. i just feel like if you know you cant gaurd him because hes too slow then accept that and try to work on your foot work and speed, simple as that