Perkins Criticized ESPN Player Rankings
Kendrick Perkins voiced disagreement after Jalen Brunson landed outside the top five on ESPN's new player list.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Basketball
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ESPN released its top-100 player rankings for the 2026/27 NBA season, placing Jalen Brunson at number six behind Luka Dončić. The list sparked public debate after Kendrick Perkins argued that Brunson deserves a top-five spot.
Why it matters
The ranking controversy centers on the evaluation of postseason performance, as Perkins highlighted Brunson's dominance in the Eastern Conference over the last three years. This debate questions whether individual statistical output or recent championship success should carry more weight in player projections.
Jalen Brunson, who led the New York Knicks to a title, averaged 32.6 points, 4.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game during the Finals. He currently holds the sixth position in the rankings, trailing the top-five leaders led by Nikola Jokić.
The players
Jalen Brunson
He is an NBA player for the New York Knicks who was named the NBA Finals MVP last season.
Kendrick Perkins
He is a former professional basketball player turned analyst who frequently provides commentary on NBA Today.
Luka Dončić
He is a professional basketball player who was ranked number four on the ESPN top-100 list.
Nikola Jokić
He is a professional basketball player who holds the top spot on the ESPN ranking for the upcoming season.
ESPN
It is an international sports television network that publishes annual player ranking lists for the NBA.
The details
During an appearance on NBA Today, Perkins argued that Brunson should be ranked in the top five given his status as the best player in the Eastern Conference over the previous three years. The discussion underscores the high expectations for the Knicks as they attempt to win back-to-back titles.
Timeline
Thursday, September 24, 2026: Kendrick Perkins criticized the rankings.
2026/27 season: The upcoming NBA season start date.
2018: The last year a team won back-to-back NBA titles.
Season Trajectory
The controversy over Brunson's ranking reflects the immense pressure on the Knicks to become the first team to win back-to-back titles since the 2018 Golden State Warriors. This narrative shifts the focus from individual accolades to the historical difficulty of maintaining a championship standard.
Brunson’s sixth-place ranking suggests that even after a Finals MVP performance, his individual statistical profile is viewed by some analysts as inferior to top-five stars. This assessment will likely influence future discourse on his value in fantasy basketball drafts and MVP award conversations.
The takeaway
Player rankings often serve as a catalyst for debate about whether historical success or current form defines greatness. Readers should remember that such lists are subjective tools that often prioritize different metrics than those used in actual team-building.
Further reading
Explore the full Basketball coverage for more analysis on the upcoming season.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pro Football Network.
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