As he stood from the bench and walked toward the court, the nerves began to rattle inside Kendrick Perkins. He might be a 13-year veteran with nearly 1,000 games of NBA experience, including two trips to the Finals, but none of that mattered Wednesday when he entered a preseason game to a polite ovation with 5:29 remaining in the third quarter.
Perkins couldn’t find a job last season, meaning his appearance against the Hawks was his first time on an NBA floor in 18 months. That explains the nerves. He blames only himself for his absence. While the Cavs were winning a championship, Perkins spent the 2015-16 season with a 30-win team in New Orleans.
Kendrick Perkins ate himself out of the NBA. Now he's fighting to get back in
