ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins and Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant have had a rather tumultuous relationship, especially ever since Perkins ended his playing career and crossed over into the media field. The former Oklahoma City Thunder teammates were once best friends, up until that point. The media profession requires players to give opinions that may not favor their former teammates who are still playing. It’s what caused former Rockets forward Charles Barkley to fall out with Michael Jordan. Players take the criticism personal. Some more than others. Which is understandable. Especially in the case of hot takes or analysis that lacks context, which is also what debate shows have boiled down to. Narratives are often what drives takes and ratings. We see them all of the time on social media as well. But those who remain in the industry for the long while have mastered it. Stephen A. Smith shifted over from being a reporter to being an analyst and perpetuating hot takes and recycled narratives.…