Celtics practice with full starting five ( including Perk)

[rondohondo]

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6027614

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett and center Kendrick Perkins participated fully in Sunday's practice, marking the first time this season that Boston's familiar starting five were reunited with both Garnett and Perkins back on the floor alongside Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen.

It was a morale boost for the injury-plagued squad.

"You could just see it with our first unit -- today was the first time this year we had our real first unit on the floor," coach Doc Rivers said. "Offensively and defensively, it was just another level. They could run anything they wanted because everyone knew where everyone else was at."

Awesome, sounds like KG is could play Monday , hope he is good to go . Sucks that Shaq got hurt though , BBD is going to have to do work against Dwight on monday .

can't wait to see Perk out there beasting again real soon.

[Roy H.]

That pretty much clears up (once again) who starts when Perk gets healthy.

[rondohondo]

Yea later in the article it says Perk could be back by Feb 4th against Dallas, but that the C's could potentially move his return date up because he looked so good in practice today .

[KungPoweChicken]

This is good news on a heartbreaking Patriot night for me.

[Tai]

This is good news on a heartbreaking Patriot night for me.

Man, that was horrid to watch.

[PosImpos]

This is good news on a heartbreaking Patriot night for me.

Man, that was horrid to watch.

I'm still mad about it.  I feel duped.  It's not just that the Patriots lost, it's how they lost and to whom they lost.  Painful.  Just painful.

Coupled with the pathetic performance last year against the Ravens, and the Patriots have been a deeply disappointing team the last 3 or 4 years. 

On topic - I'm excited to see the good old starting lineup out there again, finally.  That said, I think we really need to temper our expectations for what Perk will be able to provide.  He's probably going to play very limited minutes at first, and he's going to be really rusty.

[billysan]

Just to play devils advocate and maybe ask a dumb question, If Perk can participate in full speed drills and full contact practice, why cant he dress and play very limited game minutes?

I just wonder what the big difference is, if he tightens up or has some mild pain then take him out of the game. I know practice is a much more strictly controlled environment but still...either it is full contact/speed or it isnt.

I wouldnt want to risk injury but is it really a bigger risk than practice?

[PosImpos]

Just to play devils advocate and maybe ask a dumb question, If Perk can participate in full speed drills and full contact practice, why cant he dress and play very limited game minutes?

I just wonder what the big difference is, if he tightens up or has some mild pain then take him out of the game. I know practice is a much more strictly controlled environment but still...either it is full contact/speed or it isnt.

I wouldnt want to risk injury but is it really a bigger risk than practice?

He hasn't played real basketball in a long time.  Right now, he'd probably be a bigger liability than a help out there.

[pearljammer10]

Man this is so exciting. I cant wait til the five of them get out there are the floor together. Glad to see Perks hard work pay off so well too.

And Shaq's hurt? man, playing too many minutes really does kill him.

[guava_wrench]

Yea later in the article it says Perk could be back by Feb 4th against Dallas, but that the C's could potentially move his return date up because he looked so good in practice today .

We need that Dallas game if we are going to get a win against every team in the league during the regular season.

[barefacedmonk]

And Shaq's hurt? man, playing too many minutes really does kill him.

He fell after slipping on ice...wasn't a result of too many minutes.

[jackson_34]

And Shaq's hurt? man, playing too many minutes really does kill him.

He fell after slipping on ice...wasn't a result of too many minutes.

Haven't heard anything of this... is it likely to see him miss a game or just a practice?

Also, it's excellent news to hear the starting five back playing together.

It's going to be like everyone's favourite rock band reforming after a hiatus. The Garden will be rocking at their hometown reunion gig!

[guava_wrench]

And Shaq's hurt? man, playing too many minutes really does kill him.

He fell after slipping on ice...wasn't a result of too many minutes.

I guess that is one reason to play in a warm weather city.