Catching up with Perk
by Roy_Hobbs on Aug 17, 2007 5:39 PM EDT
in Boston Celtics News & Links
Email
PrintOkay, so I know it's a stretch placing this as frontpage news, but it's been a slow news week for the Celtics. Shira did an article on Kendrick Perkins today, and she included this nugget:
"I've got to be able to give my best every night," said Perkins, fully recovered from the left foot plantar fasciitis that sidelined him for a spell and prevented him from playing at top form during the second half of last season. "I'm excited about this season and I'm trying to put my all into it. This is a blessed opportunity to be on a team with Paul [Pierce], Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen."
To that end, Perkins has spent a lot of time at the Celtics' practice facility, working on his conditioning, strength, and 15-foot shot and returning for only brief stays to his hometown of Beaumont, Texas.
There are two big things of note in that article. One is that Perk is working on his conditioning and his jump shot. If Perk can better develop those two elements of his game, he'll be a much more effective player. In terms of the conditioning, that will obviously help him get up and down the court more effectively, but most importantly, it will cut down on cheap fouls. Tired players foul more, and foul trouble is something we can't afford from Perk this year, with Scot Pollard being the only experienced backup center on the roster. With the jump shot, if he starts knocking that down semi-consistently, that can only help open things up inside for KG and company. It would be a huge weapon for Perk to have in his arsenal.
The most important part from that quote, though, is that bit buried in the middle: "fully recovered from the left foot plantar fasciitis". Plantar fasciitis can be a nasty, nasty injury, and it certainly took a toll on Perk last year. It's an injury that can stay with a player for multiple seasons; Chris Bosh has struggled with it in recent seasons, and it recently caused him to withdraw from Team USA. The news that Perk is "fully recovered", then, is tremendous news.
Perk also had some quotes about departed friend Al Jefferson, which are worth noting:
I'd be lying if I said [watching Jefferson leave] was easy," said Perkins. "I think about it every day. I know we made a decision for right now. We got a great deal on our end with KG, but on the other side, Minnesota got a great deal for the future. For real. We got the best, but we gave up a lot. The sky's the limit for those guys [who went to Minnesota].
"Honestly, they're way better than what I'll ever be. I've still got a long ways to go and I'm still young in this league, too. But I just think Gerald [Green] and Al, especially, their potential is on another level from everybody else. ...
According to Perkins, Jefferson struggled in the days after the deal.
"He didn't take it too good," said Perkins. "I think he's doing a little bit better with it now. After he talked with the personnel, owners, and stuff in Minnesota, he was more comfortable."
"I saw in [Danny Ainge's] eyes when he made the trade that it hurt him to give up Al. I was right here when we all put in a lot of time to see [Jefferson] develop. He's still my boy no matter what, but we're on separate teams."
As hard as it was for us as fans to see a guy like Big Al go, it has to be one hundred times tougher for somebody who played with these guys day in and day out. It's good to hear that Big Al is starting to adjust to life in Minnesota. I wish him the best, but as Perk reminds us, he's on a different team now. As hard as it was to see him go, if he was the price to pay for KG, it was a move that Danny had to make.
More on Perk can be found in the Herald.
16 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Good article. I’ll throw this in. If Perk is beginning to struggle with an injury, he needs to shut it down for a few games if that’s what is needed, even it we have to rely on Pollard, Garnett, or other young one to fill in.
Too many times in recent years, this team has had players on the court aggravating or further injuring themselves instead of shutting it down. Players, management, team medics, let’s work together for a prosporous healthy season.
by docextension on Aug 17, 2007 5:47 PM EDT reply actions
Good article. I think Perk and Al Jeff are both class a guys. In addition to the good news about his foot, I love his honesty; saying that guys like Gerald and Al have alot more talent. Perk is a humble guy, a realistic guy, who works his butt off and never has his ego get in the way. He really is going to be a good complement on a team with 3 superstars. We will be fine at the 5 spot, IMO. Go Perk. The last vestige of the young guns.
Nice job Mr. Nelson, you are movin’ on up.
by AllabouttheGREEN on Aug 17, 2007 6:24 PM EDT reply actions
Good article Roy! Actually, if it is about Perk, I love it. I have been telling people for years the Perk is going to be a top center in this league and I believe he is going to break out this season! His play is one of the keys to this season.
by FLCeltsFan @ CelticsBlog on Aug 17, 2007 6:27 PM EDT reply actions
for as much as i can criticize kendrick perkins the basketball player, at least from the limited tidbits we get from the media, he seems like a class act and a genuinely good man. all the best to him, big al, and the rest
by SHEEEEEEEEEED on Aug 17, 2007 9:10 PM EDT reply actions
Right now he looks like an 8/6 kind of center if he can’t stay in shape and out of foul trouble. Agreed on that 15-footer — like we need that? How about the jump hook, Perk? You’re like 5-10 feet out of position on that one. We have two inside/outside forwards in Garnett and Pierce, and don’t need anyone else roaming any kind of perimeter. Perk needs to be down on the block and just live there.
I too think he’s all class, all heart and with what’s starting to feel like a major talent ceiling. This year will determine it all for him.
all i ask of him to his rebound/block and dive for hustle for loose balls like his life depended on it. I dont care about him scoring , i really dont because we already have 3 awesome options to go when it counts. This team needs it dirty work guy and he has to be it , he has no choice as i see it.
by havlicekstoletheball on Aug 18, 2007 5:21 AM EDT reply actions
This team needs it dirty work guy and he has to be it , he has no choice as i see it.
Big Perk is the great hope for the season. Your defense is
fundamental for the Celtics.
by Trinità on Aug 18, 2007 8:58 AM EDT reply actions
Perkins may well be a class guy and a wonderful teammate, which does count for something. However, in his four years in the league, injuries or not, he has yet to show he can be a decent player. He moves his feet like they’re stuck in molasses and has little concept of team defense. His offense? Thankfully the team won’t need anything from him except the occasional clean-up rebound and put back.
Ainge must have seen something in him to prompt the contract he signed. We can only hope Perk begins to show that certain something this season.
by lemonadesky on Aug 18, 2007 6:31 PM EDT reply actions
lemonadesky: has little concept of team defense
He does know team defense. Alot of his fouls came from covering for other guys screw ups. He was also the one telling Big Al where to be on defense. He will be much better with his new team and I think you grossly underestimate his abilities, even offensively.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Behind the Box Score, where the Spurs won Game 1 with an inspired fourth quarter
- Kendrick Perkins does not think much of Andrew Bynum’s relative intelligence
- Behind the Box Score, where the Boston Celtics are moving on to the conference finals
- NBA Playoffs Fan Fiction: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- The Indiana Pacers? Gone till November
