Perk Is Back

by Jeff Clark on Oct 14, 2008 7:26 AM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

Kendrick Perkins’ goal on his first day of full contact was brutally basic. Take a hit, or give one out, as quickly as possible, and try not to think about that surgically repaired left shoulder. By the end of yesterday’s practice, coach Doc Rivers already had charted a trend involving his starting center. "Two or three players went down today, and Perk always seemed to be the guy standing nearby when it happened," Rivers said. Perkins, who is expected to play in his first exhibition game tonight against the Cavaliers in Pittsburgh, also was the player bounding around the court yesterday like a kid who just had been let out of school.

Frank Dell'Apa reports too:

"Perk fouled a couple people hard," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "He threw a couple elbows. I saw three or four people grabbing their face and saying, 'Wow, Perk must be back.' So that's what he does.
"Obviously, he was winded, but I was still impressed with how he got up and down the floor. He looked pretty good."
"If Perk said he's going to play, he's going to play," Rivers said. "Who am I to fight Perk? I don't know how much, but he'll play."
"One thing Perk adds is know-how," Rivers said. "It's amazing watching him and Kevin. Kevin is better because Perk is on the floor, because they know each other so well. Kevin knows exactly what Perk's role is and Perk knows exactly where Kevin is going to be. They have amazing chemistry and we can take advantage of that.
"I thought toward the end of the year it was much better, and in the playoffs they got even better. We could have won Game 5 [against the Lakers], but we clearly missed Perk. When he showed back up, the difference he made was amazing in Game 6. Kevin is a good defender but with Perk he is really good."

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I really don’t know what Perk could have shown coming out of high school that he could have gotten picked in 1st round. And right up to the start of last year he was a foul prone, ball fumbling, slow shot gathering, inarticulate, not really starting caliber player. But he always worked hard. And, by God, with some help from KG, he did it. He nailed down the starting center position on the NBA champion team and he’s only 24-25 years old. Really, he is an inspirational story. Now if he would just lose those diamond earrings.

by Wildblu1 on Oct 14, 2008 7:41 AM EDT reply actions

I love Perk!!! ;D

by FLCeltsFan @ CelticsBlog on Oct 14, 2008 8:22 AM EDT reply actions

perk is a beast. let’s refine the offense and watch out settingicks and reaching in.

by nazzbo on Oct 14, 2008 8:51 AM EDT reply actions

Perk just makes the team better. He maximizes KG’s strengths among other things. Just the positive effect on KG’s play is enough to qualify him. His all around defense is worth 10 points a game. Just hope that shoulder holds up.

by TrueGreen on Oct 14, 2008 9:46 AM EDT reply actions

Anyone think that Perk’s position as starting center might be challenged this year by POB?

Was there anything more than caution to the decision to have Perk rest as much as he has and see as much of POB as they have?

Obviously backup center was a big question mark that needed to be convincingly answered.

by GreenBalls on Oct 14, 2008 10:00 AM EDT reply actions

By the way: Perk is a beast

by GreenBalls on Oct 14, 2008 10:01 AM EDT reply actions

As to POB challenging Perk, no. But POB is a better fit with the second unit anyway. They need more offense there and POB’s range, length and speed is best applied there—rather than in pairing with KG.

by clover on Oct 14, 2008 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

It’s great to have Perk back in action. I’m amazed at how important he’s become to the C’s over the past 12 months. Great work by Perk.

by Who on Oct 14, 2008 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

River said “Who am I to fight Perk?” Indeed! Perk’s got a fire that the team needs. I wish him a healthy, happy, foul-free season.

by Thruthelookingglass on Oct 14, 2008 1:53 PM EDT reply actions

Perk is the kind of 5 that the Cs need. Defense and rebounding
and making the paint difficult for the opposition. The quicker
he gets back to game shape the better it will be for the Cs.

by Greg37 on Oct 15, 2008 6:49 AM EDT reply actions