Kendrick Perkins: Where does his defense rank among centres?

[jayk009]

I think in terms of defense he is top 3 in the league. Behind Dwight Howard and Tim Duncan, I wouldn't take anyone else in the league over him. Maybe I'm being a biased fan, but I can't think of anyone that is better then Perkins other then the 2 I mentioned. His only problem might be his tendency to be in foul trouble but I think he will greatly improve as his responsibilities lessen with a healthy KG and Rasheed. He's not the most athletic center but his strength and physicalness allows him to be very effective on defense.

Marcus Camby I always felt was severely overrated, a harsh example of a defensive stat stuffer, someone like Tyson Chandler has regressed, Samuel Dalembert is incredibly athletic but erratic, Greg Oden has potential but is still very foul prone even more than Perkins, Nene is underrated but we don't know if last year was a fluke, Hasheem Thabeet might show some flashes, After looking at the centres I feel very confident that he's the 3rd best defensive center in the league. Do you agree with this? I think he should be a lock for the all defensive third team if there was such a thing.

[moiso]

Definitely one of the best.  Good call on Howard and Duncan, as well as the fact that Camby is severely overrated.  Perk has the defensive technique, and he's always focused on that end.  Howard is more intimidating and can be far more dominating when he wants to be, but Perk does it play after play without much coasting like Howard is prone to do.

[Spilling Green Dye]

I have to agree with you.   He's also one of the most underrated guys in the league too.

Does Tim Duncan play center enough to be considered one?

Perkins even does some things better than Dwight Howard, but Dwight wins out due to his ridiculous athletecism.

I love how Perkins rotates off of picks at the free throw line and completely stays in front of his man.  He's definitely one of, if not my favorite player on the team.

[Thruthelookingglass]

Day in day out I'll take Perk against all comers.  IMHO he's more reliable on defense than anyone I saw last year, and that signature scowl helps too.

[wdleehi]

If we are talking low post defender, Perk is top 5.



Camby would not be top rated there.  He is probably the top weakside shot blocker, useful if you have perimeter players that take lots of chances.  Celtics have one of those who is a better low post defender then Camby.  KG

[Redz]

His only problem might be his tendency to be in foul trouble but I think he will greatly improve as his responsibilities lessen with a healthy KG and Rasheed.

I think he improved on this quite a bit last year.  In fact, I think he has improved on everything EVERY year.  I'm really impressed with guys like Perk.  You know he's busted his rear end to get better, and it's been a steady improvement over the course of his career.  His career has been long enough now that I think he's established that he will never stop improving until his physical situation starts to decline.  He's going to have a long, long career this way.

I'm excited about Perk this year and agree with the defensive ranking.

[Celtics17]

I have said this several times, within 4 feet of the basket he is the best in the league. I am even considering Duncan and Howard in there too. He is not quick enough or athletic enough to be rated above those two guys outside of 4 feet but around the basket he is the best. His size and strength are key. It's just hard to move a guy of his size. It's good to see Perk finally getting some of the attention he deserves.

[thebirdman]

For me he is the best low post defender in the league...

[wdleehi]

I have said this several times, within 4 feet of the basket he is the best in the league. I am even considering Duncan and Howard in there too. He is not quick enough or athletic enough to be rated above those two guys outside of 4 feet but around the basket he is the best. His size and strength are key. It's just hard to move a guy of his size. It's good to see Perk finally getting some of the attention he deserves.

Hogwash!!



I can still see him stepping out on Lebron in the playoffs last year and forcing Lebron to take a bad outside shot; over and over.

[Greenbean]

I have said this several times, within 4 feet of the basket he is the best in the league. I am even considering Duncan and Howard in there too. He is not quick enough or athletic enough to be rated above those two guys outside of 4 feet but around the basket he is the best. His size and strength are key. It's just hard to move a guy of his size. It's good to see Perk finally getting some of the attention he deserves.

At the beginning of his career I would agree. However as he has fine tuned his body, his footwork has improved tremendously. Im not saying he could stay with a quick 3 for an extended period of time but he certainly can handle switches very smoothly.

He has turned into an all around defender and I have loved watching every minute of his progression.

Remember this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vuzGIFfZ7Y&feature=related

Go to about 3:00 into the video.

[Brickowski]

IMHO Rasheed Wallace belongs in the discussion of the league's best defensive centers.

[Celtics17]

I am not saying that Perk isnt a good defender outside of 4 feet, just not the best. Howard's ability to jump and his quickness make him a better defender outside of the immediate basket area. He can even be a step or two slow and make up for it with his jumping ability. I use to jump like Howard and it makes up for a lot of mistakes. Dont get me wrong, I love Perks game and feel he is the best fit of any center for this team although I sure wouldnt kick Howard or Duncan to the curb.

[Mr October]

Yeah, Perk as number 3 behind Duncan and Howard makes sense.

His low post defense is wonderful. His ability to protect the rim keeps getting better and better - but no one can touch Howard as a rim protector.

[xmuscularghandix]

I agree with Howard, Duncan, Perkins.






And i hate that Pacers video, that was one of the worst playoff experiences i've had.

[billysan]

It is tough to say just centers for me because most guys end up playing the 'bigs' on other teams. Often we see KG covering the opposing Center for example, like against the Cavs and Z a few years back while Perk was on Gooden.

I dont disagree with your ranking, but I have to include a few more names: Yao, Amare, Horton, Sheed, Biedrins, Przbilla, Aldridge, KG and even Shaq all belong in the top defensive bigs discussion along with your top three.