Perk is the best defensive center in the NBA period. Howard is a quality shot blocker and help defender but Perk was eating him up offensively with baby hooks, drop steps, even fadeaways. The Perk-KG tandem reminds me alot of the Admiral-Duncan combo that dominated defensively. His versatility defensively is also underrated. I remember Jeff Van Gundy saying how he was surprised that Perk was guarding Lamar Odom in the Finals but in the end I don't remember Odom having much of an impact in that series. Granted KG and Perk took turns guarding him. Howard and the rest of the NBA better watch out next year when Perk will start getting the "benefit-of-the-doubt" calls defensively.
I am truly amazed and proud of where Perk is now as opposed to where he was just two years ago. As great as he is as a defender his biggest improvement was seen on the offensive end. He was always fumbling the pass or getting stripped down low or would never convert an offensive rebound to points.
The emergence of Rondo and Perk will offset any decline (if any) from the Big 3. I expect Boston to be the only team in the NBA to have all 5 starters average double figures next year. Our offense will become as diverse and confusing as our defense. I truly expect next year barring injury, will be the best team of the new Big 3 Era. The combination of the financial troubles of some teams and a relatively solid crop of free agents available will mean that we will have the chance to sign some quality bench guys on the cheap. Finance 101...excess supply + lower demand = lower market price.
