Kendrick Perkins lashes out at 'The Voice' coach Adam Levine

Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Kendrick Perkins went on a heated social media rant directed at Adam Levine after the singer's most recent performance as a coach on The Voice.

Perkins -- a free agent after being waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers in July -- is apparently a big fan of the show, particularly singer DeAndre Nico. The R&B singer was eliminated after Levine put his support behind one of his other singers, Reagan Strange, who was too sick to perform.

"This sucks man," Levine said. "You are an exquisite singer. I am a little confused as to why you are in the bottom, that perplexes me. It has happened more than once. But I want to say this, there is a really, really talented little girl right now who is not fortunate enough to fight for her position on the show."

"You were fortunate enough to be able to sing and you sang like a champ. I can't sing for Reagan. Reagan has to sing for Reagan and she is not here. As much as I urge you to vote for this man ... I have a very special relationship with Reagan and I have two little girls at home and the thought of breaking her heart by not urging everyone to give this girl a shot to redeem herself would be too far beneath me, so, I want you to know I love you, I appreciate what you've done here tonight and, honestly, I think you should both be there, but I've got to fight for my girl."

Levine's support resulted in Strange making it into the top 8 instead of Nico.

The move prompted social media users, including Perkins, to light up Levine's accounts.

"That was disgraceful and dead wrong for you guys to rob DeAndre Nico like that," the 2008 NBA Finals champion wrote on Instagram. "How can you win a singing competition and don't sing? Please make me understand the logic behind that [expletive]? Adam Levine you pulled out your pocket knife and stabbed DeAndre Nico right in the back with that [expletive] you pulled tonight! Adam Levine you are [expletives] for that [expletive]! Excuse my language everyone but that was wrong!"

Perkins included the caption on a photo of Nico. This isn't the first time the 14-year NBA veteran has had beef with a singer. Perkins, 34, got into a spat with Drake in May when the rapper was sitting court side for Game 1 of the Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors' Eastern Conference playoff series.

Strange is Levine's only remaining singer. Team Kelly Clarkson still has contestants Sarah Grace, Kymberli Joye and Chevel Shepherd. Team Jennifer Hudson still has Kennedy Holmes and MaKenzie Thomas. Kirk Jay and Chris Kroeze are still alive for Team Blake Shelton.