Kendrick Perkins’ NBA rookie story with Gary Payton is one for the books.

Back in the early 2000s, when rookies had to endure a series of “duties” to prove their place on the team, Perkins found himself navigating the wild side of NBA culture.

As a 19-year-old rookie on a team featuring stars like Paul Pierce, Ricky Davis, and Vin Baker, Perkins was still learning the ropes—and the unspoken rules of being the new guy.

One of the most memorable moments came during a trip to Milwaukee after a late-night game.

Gary Payton, known for his sharp dressing and no-nonsense attitude, had specific expectations.

Not only did Perkins have to iron Payton’s famously creased suits himself—Payton refused to send them out to the cleaners—but he was also tasked with a late-night mission that sounds straight out of a movie.

At 2 a.m., Payton called Perkins “ugly” (a playful nickname) and demanded a bottle of Patron tequila from a club.

The catch? Perkins was only 19, well below the legal drinking age.

Undeterred, Perkins set out to find a club in Milwaukee that would let him in.

After negotiating with a bouncer and paying a hefty bribe of $500 just to get inside, he then had to shell out $800 for the bottle itself.

Despite the ridiculous cost and the challenge of getting back to the hotel in a taxi with the precious bottle, Perkins completed the mission—only to receive no tip or reimbursement from Payton, who simply thanked him and shut the door.

This story paints a vivid picture of the era’s rookie culture, where new players had to earn their stripes by doing whatever the veterans demanded, often without thanks or compensation.

Perkins also touched on other rookie duties, like always carrying a pack of Newports and beer in the locker room, reflecting how different the NBA’s culture was back then.

Beyond the anecdotes, Perkins weighed in on the NBA’s draft eligibility rules, questioning the logic behind requiring players to be one year removed from high school before entering the league.

He argued that this rule doesn’t actually aid player development and suggested that allowing players to jump straight from high school to the NBA would be better.

Perkins pointed out that young players could sit on the bench, learn the game, and gradually adjust to the professional level without being forced into college for a year.

He cited examples of talented young players ready to make the leap and criticized the NCAA for inconsistencies in age and eligibility rules.

Perkins’ reflections provide a fascinating inside look at the NBA’s evolving culture, from the gritty realities rookies faced in the locker room to the ongoing debates about how best to nurture young talent.

His wild night in Milwaukee is just one chapter in the story of how the NBA has changed—and how some traditions, like rookie duties, have faded but left lasting memories.