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I know he is not a game-changer, but Kendrick Perkins' absence definitely changed this game. Even by playing just 15 minutes, Perk has the ability to allow Garnett to defend Odom and save foul trouble, as well as keep PJ fresh by not having to play such heavy minutes. He is a very good on the ball defender and a superb rebounder.

To hear that he is doubtful for the game on Tuesday does not make me happy, as I think we all miss him more than we realize right now. He gives us a more complete frontline. By letting him take the body on Gasol, he saves KG from foul trouble and physical abuse, which I think has finally begun to wear on KG (and all the Cs to some extent).

Here's hoping that Perk can even get in there for just 12-15 minutes in Game 6. Having another 6-10+ guy out there makes things a lot easier for us. Unless we get Gasol or Odom in foul trouble, their length makes Powe and Baby non-options on defense for more than 5-8 minutes. Luckily, back at home, I expect Odom to go back to his disappearing act, and KG will be a lot less likely to end up in foul trouble.

Perk is frequently out with painful injuries. It's just part of the package of having him on a team.

I thought we missed Leon Powe. We lost a lot of loose balls tonight that Leon could've easily gotten. We really missed his dirty work inside tonight, I thought. I don't know why Doc doesn't trust Leon to get it done. We're so much more physical and aggressive when he's in the game.

I agree. Not haven't Perkins was a big loss for us. Perkins is our best low post defensive player IMO. He also brings toughness to this team. Without Perkins' toughness, Gasol and Odem and huge games. I've said this before and I'll say it again. Gasol has a hard time when he is being bodied.

Tonight, KG was forced to guard Gasol more. You had softy vs softy. Gasol, with the help of the refs, outplayed KG. Also when KG got in foul trouble, we had no one to go to. PJ was was showing his age and was playing tired. Powe was ineffective because he is too small for the Lakers staring front line.

Having to guard Gasol, this also took KG off of Odem. KG has done a great job of keeping Odem in check when he is on him. The is no way that Powe or PG can guard Odem.

I pray that Perkins is able to play in game 6. we need his defensive presence and his rebounding and shot blocking. Perkins may not score a lot, but he is a big part of this team.

Perk just brings so much to this team that will NEVER EVER be shown on the stat sheet. To top it off he doesn't do anything sexy either.

I find him to be consistently underated by even us every game. Untill he's gone then everyone is like wow maybe Perkins has something to do with the rebounding advantage and maybe something to do with being able to guard Gasol without being "gassed in teh fourth".

Priority #1 IMO in the offseason should be getting a full-time backup Center. And this is the reason so. Defense is 1/3 rebounding and we can't do that well without Perk or another Center in there. PJ would be fine if he was 30 instead of 38.

Go look at the general thread and even a couple of Laker fans have noticed how much they have gained the advantage with Perk out.