“White version of LeBron James” - Former NBA legend Kendrick Perkins stuns everyone while complimenting rookie athlete Cooper Flagg

Kendrick Perkins is known for his unfiltered opinions. Especially in his podcast that the former NBA player hosts alongside Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye. In one of the latest episodes, Kendricks grabbed the spotlight with another compliment. This time it was about the Dallas Mavericks rookie athlete, Cooper Flagg. Cooper has been setting records for the NBA Rookie of the Year race since his debut game.

While making the comment, Perkins compared the rookie athlete to one of the legends within the league It was none other than the Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. Perkins tagged Flagg as the “white version of LeBron James,” stunning everyone present in the podcast. While Flagg has just started his career, LeBron is in his 23rd season within the league. Cooper is currently averaging 19.1 points with 6.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists. As a rookie athlete, the Mavericks star is leaving a mark in his debut season.

Kendrick Perkins makes shocking claims comparing Cooper Flagg with LeBron James

In the recent episode of the Road Trippin’ Show, Kendrick Perkins made an interesting statement. He compared one of the rookie competitors to one of the veteran players within the league. The comparison was between Cooper Flagg and LeBron James. While making the statement, Perkins stated, “Keep the main thing to the main thing. The main thing is Cooper Flagg. You know what I am saying. That’s the main thing. The white version of LeBron James, minus the athleticism.”



While Perkins was quite convinced about the statement that he made, the other members of the podcast did not agree with the former legend. They claimed it as “a reach right there.” When Perkins asked for an explanation, Richard Jefferson stated, “He is James Harden minus the crossover.” Perkins defended the statement by praising Cooper. Perkins added, “I think he is leading the team in every category. There is nothing this man does not do for his ball court.” When Richard believed that instead Luka is more like LeBron, Perkins stated how the Slovenian player does not play defense but Cooper does.

How has Cooper Flagg’s performance been in the 2025-2026 season?

Cooper Flagg has broken records in his debut season itself. The Dallas Mavericks rookie dropped a career-high 42 points, breaking LeBron James’ decade-old record. He became the only 18-year-old athlete to have scored a 40-point game. The rookie athlete has given all the right reasons to the critics and fans of the game to compare him with the Los Angeles Lakers veteran LeBron James. Cooper is currently averaging 19.1 points with 6.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists.

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