I met Clifford Ray last week...

[Weird Facts]

I met Clifford Ray at Wild Willy Burger in Watertown.

We we're both waiting for take-out orders so I asked him how Perks shoulder was doing and we got to talking.

I am a division III college coach and I was working the Rising Star camp in Waltham the coming week. 

I asked him if he would mind coming and giving a guest lecture.
He gave me his number, I gave him a call and we set the date and time.  He came and spoke at the camp on Tuesday the 15th.

It was terrific, Absolutely great to hear him pass his knowledge along to the kids. 

One of our campers asked him who the best defender on the Celtics was.

He asked who do you guys think?

first one kid yelled out KEVIN GARNETT

Coach Ray shook his head.

Next was PAUL PIERCE

Coach Ray shook his head again

fallowed by Posey with another head shake.

Then he yelled out KENDRICK PERKINS...  He said no one plays harder on the defensive end, no one tires out his opponent more on the defensive end and no one rotates better on the defensive end than PERK.

He went on to say the best big men he's ever worked with was Dwight Howard and then Al Jefferson.

But no big man he's ever coached has been more tenacious or more willing to learn than Perk.

Just thought this was a fun story.



On a side note, What a great guy Clifford Ray is.  He brought his son to the camp for the remainder of the week to work on his game. 

Once he grows, he sure is gonna be good.



Have a good week!

[Cman]

Wow, great story and TP for passing it along to the rest of us.
Thanks!

[TrueGreen]

It's quieted down recently, but no Celtic player seems to take more of a bashing on this blog than Perk. It's great to hear Clifford Ray say what he did.  Also, thanks for this story. It puts a human face to the team. We've spent so much time lately talking about players that we miss the importance of good coaching. Many on this blog don't like Patrick O'Bryant. I know nothing about him except that he seems to have underachieved. Let's see what Clifford Ray does with him.

[Emmette Bryant]

These forums are great just because of posts like yours.

Thanks for sharing and TP for you.

[wdleehi]

It's quieted down recently, but no Celtic player seems to take more of a bashing on this blog than Perk. It's great to hear Clifford Ray say what he did.  Also, thanks for this story. It puts a human face to the team. We've spent so much time lately talking about players that we miss the importance of good coaching. Many on this blog don't like Patrick O'Bryant. I know nothing about him except that he seems to have underachieved. Let's see what Clifford Ray does with him.

[Weird Facts]

It's quieted down recently, but no Celtic player seems to take more of a bashing on this blog than Perk. It's great to hear Clifford Ray say what he did.  Also, thanks for this story. It puts a human face to the team. We've spent so much time lately talking about players that we miss the importance of good coaching. Many on this blog don't like Patrick O'Bryant. I know nothing about him except that he seems to have underachieved. Let's see what Clifford Ray does with him.

No Problem guys, glad you all enjoyed.

Speaking of O'bryant, I did take a quick jab at that, I asked Clifford if he thought the kid would help us.  His response was,

"He's got a lot of potential, but he isn't ready yet."

Where did I hear this before?  Oh yeah Gerald Green... haha

[jay_jay54]

It's quieted down recently, but no Celtic player seems to take more of a bashing on this blog than Perk. It's great to hear Clifford Ray say what he did.  Also, thanks for this story. It puts a human face to the team. We've spent so much time lately talking about players that we miss the importance of good coaching. Many on this blog don't like Patrick O'Bryant. I know nothing about him except that he seems to have underachieved. Let's see what Clifford Ray does with him.

****...TP for that one,you got that right.

[Last Train]

It's quieted down recently, but no Celtic player seems to take more of a bashing on this blog than Perk. It's great to hear Clifford Ray say what he did.  Also, thanks for this story. It puts a human face to the team. We've spent so much time lately talking about players that we miss the importance of good coaching. Many on this blog don't like Patrick O'Bryant. I know nothing about him except that he seems to have underachieved. Let's see what Clifford Ray does with him.

That guy plays?

[zerophase]

all hail the god, cliff ray. TP for the story.

[jdpapa3]

Awesome story. Great words about Perk and Cliff seems like one of the nicest guys you could meet.

Anyone remember the Celtics feature with Cliff and Perk out fishing? Now, that's a coach!!! Give that guy a raise.

[Redz]

Thanks for the story.  By all accounts Clifford is one hell of a good guy.  Hearing him talk about Perk like that is inspiring.  Perk does indeed work at it, and that bodes well for his future (so long as he can keep his arms attached to his shoulders). 

[Dvd716]

I don't think I heard his name mentioned one time during the playoff run.
But, those of use that have been around thanked him in our minds everytime we saw him sitting behind the bench.

[JollyGreen17]

Great read, So glad to have Cliff Ray as one of the coaches on the C's.

[wil]

OP...i'm glad to give you your 50th TP for that post.  Great story.  I love hearing Clifford Ray stories.  And I love to hear what he thinks about Perk.  I'm just glad we have the big guy (Perk) locked up at a good price for the next few years. 

[FLCeltsFan]

TP from me as well.  Great story.  I have been on the Perk bandwagon since his first season.   I am glad to hear Clifford Ray agrees with me LOL.   I really hope they get new contracts with both Clifford Ray and Tom Thibodeau done.  Those two coaches are just as crucial to winning as any players they sign.   Anyone who doubts how important Perk's defense was to the team, just watch Gasol and Odom take over in game 5 when Perk didn't play.