All About Perk

by Jeff Clark on Oct 23, 2007 7:33 AM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

A few links and quotes about Kendrick Perkins who was a healthy scratch last night. All after the break:

Marc Spears has the following updates on Perkins and Pollard:

"It's kind of limited at the [center] spot right now," Perkins said. "It's just preseason."
Perkins is averaging 7.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 22.7 minutes in three preseason games. The 6-foot-10-inch, 280-pounder said he feels healthy. But his backup, newcomer Scot Pollard, has yet to practice since training camp started because of a left ankle sprain.
The 6-11, 287-pound Pollard is receiving treatment and has been doing some light running on a treadmill lately at the Celtics practice facility in Waltham. But it's doubtful he will play in the preseason. Director of operations Danny Ainge, however, said Pollard could practice as early as Thursday and is "hopeful" he will be available for the season-opener Nov. 2 against Washington.
"We need [Pollard] big time," Perkins said. "He's a very important part of our team."

Mark Murphy had the following:

Kendrick Perkins was told to sit out last night’s game - not because of an injury, but simply to give his body a rest - and the Celtics center considered the command an honor.
"I guess this means that now I’m officially a veteran," Perkins said. "I’m a veteran, and I’m only 22."
He’s also a physical player who, with a long season ahead and a reputation for working out as hard as he plays, may truly need to spend a night on the pine.
"Doc said he wants me to rest up because right now I’m the only player he has at the 5 spot," said Perkins, who added that his right foot, which endured a case of plantar fasciitis last season, is fine. . . .

Finally, Newsday (NY media) reports the following (hat tip to BullsBlogger):

A few Knicks suggested that Scalabrine is more effective as a tandem with Garnett than Kendrick Perkins. Scalabrine's ability to hit the deep ball and pull one big out of the paint opens up room for Garnett to work on the post. Though he's listed as a 4, Garnett is really playing center in this lineup. The key for the Knicks is to cause the matchup problem in the paint down at the other end of the floor.

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Comments

That Newsday article doesn’t make a lot of sense, mostly because KG doesn’t need “room … to work on the post”. KG isn’t a classic post player, and any concern about “clogging the lane” with him just isn’t valid to me. Scal is a nice role player, but he’s not an NBA-caliber starter. If Doc’s master plan is to start him at the four, I have grave concerns about where this season is headed (although I don’t think even Doc is that clueless).

by Roy_Hobbs on Oct 23, 2007 7:44 AM EDT reply actions

Oh, and if Perk is going to sit so that Doc can spread the floor, wouldn’t Posey make more sense at PF?

by Roy_Hobbs on Oct 23, 2007 7:50 AM EDT reply actions

I agree that it doesn’t make a ton of sense, but I think it makes some ‘on one side of the court’ which is what they really pointed out. On defense that becomes problematic because you really have two quality defenders and the middle three slots in your lineup are all a bit deficient on the defensive end.

With Ray and Paul teams are going to be spread of Perkins and Rondo as much as possible always trying to keep someone close enough to double the guy with the ball. While Scal isn’t the guy I’d want to have to keep his defender off KG, I can see why a guy who can consistently hit the 15 footer would be very valuable along side Kevin.

Posey’d make us undersized along the entire frontline, and while he’s a solid defender he’ll get killed in the post for long stretchs if allowed to play there.

by Scotty on Oct 23, 2007 8:54 AM EDT reply actions

KG at the 5 makes sense when a San Antonio moves Duncan to the 5 and goes with a small lineup. And even then, I don’t love it.

by Brendan on Oct 23, 2007 8:56 AM EDT reply actions

If they are going to rest Perkins to keep him healthy for the regular season (which I have no problem with), putting KG on Curry to take the beating doesn’t make sense.

I would be happy to see all the starters get less minutes from now on and have court time with the reserves.

Meanwhile, look for another big man.

by Wide Load on Oct 23, 2007 9:06 AM EDT reply actions

If I were a Knick I’d suggest that Scalabrine ought to start too. Scal is of little use if he can’t hit the three, which he hasn’t this preseason. He is Danny’s only remaining mistake, for goodness sakes keep him at the end of the bench as a towel waver and fanny patter.

by halfman/halfoyster on Oct 23, 2007 9:26 AM EDT reply actions

funny post…halfman….and absolutely correct.

by iowa plowboy on Oct 23, 2007 10:11 AM EDT reply actions

Of course the Knicks would prefer Scalabrine on the floor than Perk.

by CelticBalla32 on Oct 23, 2007 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

i am glad perk is ok physically ( the foot ). Too bad about batista. they need another biggie badly- and the preseason is giving house a chance to acclimate to game situations. i’d actually like to see more of house and less rondo especially with the first unit- nothing against rondo.

by nazzbo on Oct 23, 2007 10:51 AM EDT reply actions

If Scalabrine starting is a good idea, why did we beat the same team by 40 when Perk started?

by Cousin It on Oct 23, 2007 11:16 AM EDT reply actions

After watching the last two games it is obvious that the bench players are worse offensively than the bunch we had last year. No wonder Ainge was trying to resurrect Miller.

by flyfisher on Oct 23, 2007 2:02 PM EDT reply actions

nazzbo i agree about house, and lol at the newsday article, KG has plenty of room to dominate in the post and if the inside man comes off perk kg hits him for an open dunk! Its a win win, rather than hitting Scal for an open 3 which he may miss. He’ll have the room, where it makes no sense with scal (vs the knicks) is when we have to d up on Randolph and Curry, KG can only lock down 1 of them, we need perk to lock down the other, period.

We need Pollard back BAD, thank god he’ll be ready for the season opener to fill the need at backup.

by celtpride34pp20ra5kg on Oct 23, 2007 4:47 PM EDT reply actions

good posts and funny posts – Knicks are sending over their clone doctor so we can clone Scali X 5 and pley them 24/7

by Master Po on Oct 23, 2007 5:19 PM EDT reply actions

yeah crush the knicks by 40 or lose by just under 10
hmm let me think who should play ctr scali or perk:
who is going to fall for the knicks trying to psyche us
into playing scali, who is not named doc.

by perk on Oct 23, 2007 6:22 PM EDT reply actions