Perk: Playing out of his mind or finally to his potential?

[billfromBoston]

Perkins has always been capable of this level of play, he has shown as much in glimpses here and there, especially during a 14 game streak back in 2006...

...It's not like we haven't seen the types of things he's doing before, but his consistency over this stretch has been there where it hasn't for most of this season...

...My feeling is that Perkins was self-satisfied "doing his job" of making smart defensive rotations and protecting the glass...there was so much talk about not worrying about numbers this year I feel that Perk lost sight of how much the team could benefit if he really attacked the glass aggressively and swatted shots...

I don't know if PJ Brown "scared" Perk into action as much as having PJ Brown allowed Perk to play with more abandon because of the presence of another viable big...

I see no reason why Perkins can't maintain his current level of play...his points will fluxuate with no real touches to speak of, but his boards and blocks should remain steady and his PT will increase...

Perkins is 23...too many on this board have written him off because of his 5 years in the league without giving any credence to the following:

-didn't play hardly at all first 2 years
-began to break out 3rd season before shoulder injury
-missed 70 percent of off-season rehabbing shoulder
-Foot problem limited mobility and agressiveness during 2007
-has played for 4 coaches and over 40 different teammates in career
-Is enjoying his FIRST season with a stable roster and defined role

Perkins came out of HS and wasn't a superstar talent...he is just now beginning to find himself as a player and understanding how he can contribute to the team beyond solid defense...I expect this reason play to be a stepping stone forward in his career progress...

...in time, everyone will be happy that he's the team's starting center...

[Rocky5000]

Did anyone else listening to the ESPN broadcast, hear someone yelling, "Block Party!" whenever a Bulls player got into the lane and was swallowed up by Perk and KG?

[humblebum]

I think it also needs to be said that Perkins has had a HUGE role in the success of the Celtics on the defensive end. Perkins ability to defend the opposing team's best post scorer with limited help has allowed KG to flourish in the help defensive scheme. It isn't talked about often but Perkins is an exceptional defender and IMO is probably the second most important player on the defensive end.

I'd rank the defensive players on this team:

1. KG
2. Perkins
3. Pierce
4. Rondo
5. Posey
6. Ray Ray (I think he's been exceptional this season when he's going 100%
7. TA and Glen Davis

It's really no wonder why this team has been so good defensively.

[Scalamental]

I think it also needs to be said that Perkins has had a HUGE role in the success of the Celtics on the defensive end. Perkins ability to defend the opposing team's best post scorer with limited help has allowed KG to flourish in the help defensive scheme. It isn't talked about often but Perkins is an exceptional defender and IMO is probably the second most important player on the defensive end.

I'd rank the defensive players on this team:

1. KG
2. Perkins
3. Pierce
4. Rondo
5. Posey
6. Ray Ray (I think he's been exceptional this season when he's going 100%
7. TA and Glen Davis

It's really no wonder why this team has been so good defensively.

1. KG
2. Posey
3. Pierce
4. Rondo
5. Perkins
6. TA (I think he's been exceptional this season when he's going 100%) +1
7. Ray Ray

IMO

[celticfan42487]

I think it also needs to be said that Perkins has had a HUGE role in the success of the Celtics on the defensive end. Perkins ability to defend the opposing team's best post scorer with limited help has allowed KG to flourish in the help defensive scheme. It isn't talked about often but Perkins is an exceptional defender and IMO is probably the second most important player on the defensive end.

I'd rank the defensive players on this team:

1. KG
2. Perkins
3. Pierce
4. Rondo
5. Posey
6. Ray Ray (I think he's been exceptional this season when he's going 100%
7. TA and Glen Davis

It's really no wonder why this team has been so good defensively.

I see it the same.

Excpet after Posey I wouldn't even mention Ray,TA,Davis. Too inconsistent to really notice an effect even though Posey hasn't been in a groove past ten games.

Perk freeing up Garnett while playing great D is the most beneficial aspect after Garnett taken advantage of having a Center. Pierce has been astounding too and may be in contention to swap with Perk it's close.

[Justwar]

Kendrick Perkins is young and not even CLOSE to his prime. Its not surprising one bit.

[threrf23]

My best guess regarding's Perk's play of late is that he is finally 100% healthy, and perhaps was taking things easy for a bit to ensure he would be healthy during the stretch.

In any event, I just hopes this keeps up.

[rambo_ortega]

another nice double double from perk tonight. solid!

[campybatman]

I can't recall off the top of my head but does anyone know the last game in which both Garnett and Perkins finished with double digits in rebounds?

It seems to be that the biggest surprise for fans is Garnett's absence from the double-double player's list this season. The drop off in his points was expected and he's always good for at least one assist a game. But, I prefer that he's a monster on the boards every game than score a lot of points. Paul, Ray, Tony and a few others can handle the scoring in games. That is, unless both Pierce and Ray Allen are having off shooting games that you hope that Kevin will dominate and attempt more shots. Still, like Perkins, I enjoy it more when Garnett is rebounding, passing and blocking shots among other things. Who can't get enough of hearing Kevin yell: Get that (expletive) out of here! Kevin likes to swear.

[greenkoolaid34]

Perk is the man and he is wise beyond his years. In this league where so many players think it is cool to be "thug" or "gangsta" Perk goes about his job in such a hard working, blue coller, way that is rare nowadays. He is a role model to everyone on the team and has been since he became part of the ledgenday tradition that is the Boston Celtics. Perk is Celtic Pride. Even more remarkable is that he signed for an amazingly resonable contract, while all those other sucka big man in the league are demanding huge pay outs with little production. By doing this he made sure he would be part of the organization for years to come. He works hard for his money unlike so many players and gives the celtics exactly what they need from a starting center. GO PERK!

[TheCelticTruth]

i say a little of both. most centers with perks ability get hyped up and drafted high when they come outta HS. this didnt happen to perk and the height of his hype was probably his sophomore year. his learning curve has been a little slow, but he is an impressive physical talent if not a specimen. he has consistently gotten better and probably will continue in said fashion as it seems he is learning the game better.

i think hes playing a bit out of his mind right now, but his potential has always been better than he gets credit for.

[UGA Hayes]

Perk is probably my favorite player. He seems to take the game more seriously than even KG sometimes. I'm with the guys who have said this shouldn't be a total surprise. Perk has made huge strides with his footwork, fouls, defensive IQ, and hands catching and shooting the ball.

Really the only thing that he does that annoys me is try to make interior passes from the 3 point line and, dunk every shot, and put the ball on the floor.

Also I think the guy who brough up injuries is spot on. Since starting his career, Perk has had his injuries during his best stretches of games. He was playing really well before straining his should this year had some bad games which led to Perk stinks threads, and now he is playing well again. Also Centers are such an apatheltic group you have to stick with the ones that play with fire. In the NBA at the center position Fire often trumps skill.

[SeizeCoup]

It's all mental and physical.

First of all, I think Perk knows what he can do. He knows what refs will let him get away with, and in general he understands the nuances better than ever before.

Also, his lift off the ground is at an all time high. He has been flying in for jams. When he first came into the league he could barely rise off the floor, now he's going up above others to grab rebounds, tapping the glass with the ball on the way down.

The kid is strong. He's hard to move, he moves people easily. Now he knows how to do this without fouling. You can see his patience, around the basket he's almost automatic, I've always believed he can destroy single coverage.

Knowledge, and the ability to apply.

[Datruth345]

Perk is a Beast, and he is only 23 years old

if you have/had written him off already, you should be ashamed

the guy is a tireless worker, who has been hit but some very unlucky and untimely injuries over his career

he is nowhere near where his top level of play imo

kind of OT: but does anyone remember some of the high school prospect lists that had perk as the #1 prospect above lebron at one point in time?

[phoolishly_insane]

I was getting impatient with Perk because he's been playing for 5 seasons and he wasn't doing much in the centre position. I was ready to write him off and trade him to someplace.

Finally, he's hitting some double-doubles and I hope he keeps going through playoffs and finals.

[freakon0mics]

I was getting impatient with Perk because he's been playing for 5 seasons and he wasn't doing much in the centre position. I was ready to write him off and trade him to someplace.

Finally, he's hitting some double-doubles and I hope he keeps going through playoffs and finals.

I too was impatient with him. He has been in the league for about 4-5 years and on occasion he looked nice and other times not. Hope he can continue this. Its all about consistency with him. The better him and Rondo plays, the better this team plays.

[rambo_ortega]

I can't recall off the top of my head but does anyone know the last game in which both Garnett and Perkins finished with double digits in rebounds?

It seems to be that the biggest surprise for fans is Garnett's absence from the double-double player's list this season. The drop off in his points was expected and he's always good for at least one assist a game. But, I prefer that he's a monster on the boards every game than score a lot of points. Paul, Ray, Tony and a few others can handle the scoring in games. That is, unless both Pierce and Ray Allen are having off shooting games that you hope that Kevin will dominate and attempt more shots. Still, like Perkins, I enjoy it more when Garnett is rebounding, passing and blocking shots among other things. Who can't get enough of hearing Kevin yell: Get that (expletive) out of here! Kevin likes to swear.

garnett doesn't get that much rebounds in this defensive system because he facilitates the defense of this team and even stretches out to help on the perimeter. that's why if you notice, the small guys crash the boards as well as perk who camps under the rim coz he is our last line of defense.