Kendrick Perkins, Shaquille O'Neal Beef with Each Other on Twitter

The NBA playoffs are a time for upsets, buzzer-beaters, championship pursuits and, apparently, a social-media feud between Shaquille O'Neal and Kendrick Perkins, too.

While enjoying some NBA playoff action on Monday night like the rest of us, the Oklahoma City Thunder big man took exception to Shaquille O'Neal steering a conversation between Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley in his own direction.

Naturally, the only thing left to do was take to Twitter and question why "Shack" talks about himself so much.

Read into the misspelling of Shaq's name accordingly (even though Perkins corrected it). 

Word of Perkins' social-media exploits reached O'Neal the following day, so he heeded Kendrick's advice and began to talk about someone other than himself instead.

That someone else was Perkins.

Shaq also ripped Perkins apart numerous times in TNT's Inside the NBA as well, bringing every conversation he could back to the center's remarks.

Kind of brings a whole new meaning to putting someone on blast, doesn't it?

A former teammate of O'Neal's with the Boston Celtics, Perkins had to know that Shaq wouldn't take too kindly to implications of being self-absorbed; he had to know a rebuttal was coming. 

And Perkins didn't make it difficult on Shaq, either. He finished Game 2 against the Memphis Grizzlies with four points, six rebounds and three turnovers in 24 minutes, giving O'Neal plenty of ammunition.

"I need more out of the great Kendrick Perkins," Shaq said following Oklahoma City's loss. "Kendrick Perkins dominated tonight."

Oof.

Who would have thought a single inquiry into Shaq's on-air demeanor—typo and all—would have caused so much drama? 

Now we're left patiently waiting for Perkins to respond. Whether his reaction comes via Twitter or in the form of another four-point disaster remains to be seen.

"I'm going with OKC once the great Kendrick Perkins steps his game up," Shaq went on to say when discussing who the favorite in the series had to be.

Knowing how poorly Perkins has played in these playoffs (and all season), O'Neal might want to rethink his pick if he's relying on the former to elevate Oklahoma City's play.

But we know he's not. He merely jests—at Kendrick's expense, no less. That's just what he does. He's Shaq. 

And Perkins would do well to remember that next time he tries to humiliate Shaq in 140 characters or less. 

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