Odds & Ends

One year ago would anyone have believed that we would wake up today and read that Boston was now a “destination” team?

It’s a beautiful world.

mchale is spot on about centers and jump shots. i would like to see more hook shots- jump and sky. perk can do this if he practices.

Perk and scoring inside. The secret to scoring inside relates to elevation and quickness (talent and finesse assumed). Alas, despite effort, Perk falls short on these essentials. Adding a hook shot won’t help unless he can speed up his delivery. Despite his strength, slam dunk attempts have been blocked because he’s slow “gathering himself” for the effort and he lacks great elevation. If only he were more proficient “shielding” the ball instead of telegraphing his intentions!

Jeff I have to disagree with you on something you said. You said that you can’t blame Kevin Garnett for wasting some many years of his career in Minnisota. Well nobody told KG to resign with the T’Wolves either. It was KG’s choice to stay in Minnisota when he sign that big contract extension. I’m sorry but KG has to share some of the blame because he could have left. Now the Owner and GM could have done a better job at signing other players but they did try with Cassle and Sprewell. The one big choice the GM made was the whole Joe Smith thing. But KG isn’t going to get off the hook with me. He went for the money and he had to deal with the it.

I think Nate has KG’s numbers wrong.
KG will average 20pts per game and 12rpg, and 4apg. and these are still very lofty numbers for a player who has 2 other AllStars on his team. KG will represent the strength and character of the C’s but the engine is still Rondo, there are going to be few guards that will be able to contain Rondo from being a penetrator and if his shot has improved there are going to be a lot of teams that will crumble at Rondo’s progress. My biggest concern for Rondo and the team is that Doc isn’t going to let Rondo run the team, I think Doc is going to have the big 3 dominate the possession of the ball and that could prove

to be an unwise strategy for the C’s

Micah, I don’t think KG will only average 4 ast per game with the players he has around him now. I say he averages at least 6.

One thing that stuck me as I watched the first preseason game is that I did not realize just how good KG really is. I’m always glued to the TV when he plays the Celtics (like I am with any game), but we really only see him once a year (twice at most), and his recent playoff drought has deprived us of really seeing him very much.
I would suspect, like Nate, that Kevin Garnett will once again lead the NBA in rebounding, post 18-24 pts a game, several assists and if not win the MVP outright, he will certainly be in top contention. It would not surprise me to see Paul Pierce there as well.

While reading the articles on daily links it was great to see PP talk about his personal desire to have a greater impact on the defensive end!

PP talks about more defensive intensity and what better opportunity than against his former teammates. No doubt there will be some trash talking (especially Ricky Davis) and I would assume a great desal of personal pride in the effort expended.

I too like Perkins for his strength, desire, intensity and dedication. I was also being OBJECTIVE in assessing his limitations. As for him scoring uncontested dunks, Jeff, I’m all for that too. In that “venue” Perk will surely shine. Of course, matchups should also be considered but even against marginal defenders, Perk will still be offensively challenged.

While perk’s toughness and long arms are positive attributes, he does lack mobility and his “moves” continually look more robotic than “fluid”. He, like Scal, maximizes his capabilities which is always admirable. What I’d like to see in a backup center would be more athleticism and a greater upside than Pollard. I was hoping that Batista could be that “developmental” project for the future.

moskqq- i agree perk has been slow to wind up for his shots in the past. he did look a bit quicker in the last game. maybe with less weight he will be a bit more quick to get off his shot.

moskqq, I think your viewing Perkins in the context of last years roster. In the past, Perk was too slow and mechanical to score consistently. But the defenses could actually double team Perk when he had the ball in the past! I would be pretty shocked if Perk sees as many double teams this year. I think Perk has improved his quickness by losing some weight, but he still is a bit methodical going to the rim. But the reality is that he will have MORE TIME to get his shots off because the defense will be stuck to the Trio. His biggest offensive asset will be his offensive rebounding. Add in some improved free-throw shooting stroke and 10 pts a game doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility at all.

Robert Parish was never fast (or quick for that matter), there have been few people in the history of the game who looked more awkward shooting, running, defending etc, than the beloved Chief. However awkward he might have looked he got the job done and was, in Bird’s words “the backbone of the Celtics.”
Perk is not the Chief (not yet anyways), but I see a powerful work ethic to continually improve and contribute in any way possible. Our starting Center may not be an All Star, or ever be considered as one, but I will take Perk over anyone else at that spot for this team. A healthy, 30min a night Perkins is going to be a 10pt (all garbage points) 10reb guy, esp with Garnett on the other side of the paint.
Talk about Perk and his contributions 20 games into the season, not based on what you percieve his limitations to be based on two seasons with a struggling team.