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Kendrick Perkins agrees with Adam Silver on why the NBA needs to return to 'more physical defense'
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- Kendrick Perkins agrees with Adam Silver on why the NBA needs to return to 'more physical defense'
It is no longer shocking to see how the modern-day NBA has evolved into an offense-friendly league, where rule interpretations heavily favor scorers and defenders are often left at a disadvantage. Soft foul calls, restricted defensive contact, and freedom-of-movement rules have collectively made scoring easier than ever.
However, Commissioner Adam Silver recently acknowledged that the league may have leaned too far in this direction. He suggested that a return to harder, more physical defense could be the best way moving forward for the NBA. That admission resonated strongly with Kendrick Perkins , who believes this shift is long overdue.
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Kendrick Perkins doubles down on Adam Silver's admission
One of the clearest examples supporting this argument is the rise of the OKC Thunder. While Shai-Gilgeous Alexander's elite scoring is a primary reason for their success, the true foundation of this team's dominance lies in their defensive identity.
With elite perimeter defenders such as Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, and Jalen Williams, combined with rim protectors like Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder boasts players who can turn the tide of the game through their defensive impact.
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And now, when this young Thunder team boasts the best defensive rating in the league, they seem on the path to chase the best-ever regular-season record in league history, considering their 24-1 start in the 2025-26 season.
Big Perk highlighted this very point, emphasizing that teams willing to commit to defense can still rise to the top in today's NBA. While offensive explosions may draw headlines, many fans have grown tired of watching games where there is practically no defense, and both teams easily rack up more than 120 points a game.
" This is an area that we need to clean up," Perkins said on an episode of the 'Road Trippin' podcast. " Because the only team that consistently plays defense at a high level is…I will give a little nod to Detroit, but OKC. "
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Hard defense can elevate the league to a new extent
In contrast to today's era, where teams often score 125 to 130 points and still lose, there was a time when games were won through defensive grit and discipline. Teams regularly secured wins without reaching 90 points, simply by suffocating their opponents and controlling the tempo. That brand of basketball was equally compelling, built on intensity, strategy, and physical endurance.
Moreover, Adam Silver's recent comments suggest that the league recognizes the value of restoring some of that balance. Scoring averages also reflect how drastically the game has changed.
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Lastly, seeing multiple players average over 30 points per game has become almost routine. In earlier eras, crossing that threshold was rare and immediately signified historic dominance, precisely because scoring at that level was far more difficult. This is perhaps why even Perkins wants real talent to shine through, rather than every second player increasing their scoring average by exploiting the rules and shooting more field goals.
Now it remains to see how the league alters its rules, mainly since Silver, too, has clearly grown tired of watching no defense on the hardwood.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Dec 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
