Perk Owns Dwight Howard......Stats don't lie!

[rondohondo]

I was watching sportscenter earlier today and they put up a great stat. Dwight Howard has the 2nd least amount of FG'S made( 3) against an opponent they have played at least 80 mins against this season. Perk is such a stud on defense and last year held Howard far below his FG% and is doing the same again this year.

Believe it or not I think Perk may be one of the top 3 key players on the team this year if the C's plan on winning a championship. If he can come close to playing this kind of defense against Howard, Shaq and Bynum in the playoffs the C's are going to be really tough to beat!

[twinbree]

Yeah I saw that. The interesting was the only other person with fewer FGs made against the Celtics was Noah with 1. Another center. Really speaks to the unbelievable work Perk is doing.

[Amonkey]

So far, the only hole on his defense was against Al Jefferson, who is not necessarily just a post up player.  I think Perkins may have a little problem with centers that have multiple post moves on the base with the up fakes and all that stuff.  However, there really aren't that many centers out there with those kinds of skills, and Perk is so good at pushing the centers out of the post and making them uncomfortable that I don't think that ever becomes a problem.  Perkins has been incredible on the defense.

Also, we have to give some credit to Rasheed too.  He did a pretty good job on Howard last night too, pushing him out of the paint and getting some good block outs preventing those offensive boards.

[Drucci]

If we stay healthy for the playoffs, we will simply have the best defensive froncourt of the league, and it's not even close. The Perk/Sheed rotation will do wonders against Howard/Shaq/Gasol/Bynum. And we can match their power forwards (Gasol/Lewis/Bass/) with KG, Glen and Sheed.

Perkins is such a great defensive player and his overall game is a beauty to watch develop this season.

[Jon]

I partially agree.  He did wonders last year in the playoffs.  But to be fair, let's remember he only played a hair over 20 minutes last night.  So we certainly have to give Rasheed some credit as well who played most of the rest of the minutes on Howard.   

[P2]

I agree. Perk has a killer attitude, but he needs to be careful with his fouls, as you could see yesterday.

[Change]

Its true Perk owns Dwight. And Sheed punk'd him big time.

[moiso]

Perk has been awesome guarding Howard.  And although I can't stand Sheed, I have to admit that he may be the best I've ever seen at stealing passes that are going to the man he is guarding in the post.  It's pretty amazing.

[housecall]

Bsically Perk used his strength to keep Dwight in ck and Sheed used his bb IQ...Rondo took Nelson out of the game completely.Great game plan!

[4THQTR]

I partially agree.  He did wonders last year in the playoffs.  But to be fair, let's remember he only played a hair over 20 minutes last night.  So we certainly have to give Rasheed some credit as well who played most of the rest of the minutes on Howard.   

Sheed was awesome last night. Very efficient on offense, great shot selection (only two three point attempts too) and his defense was fantastic, not only one-on-one on howard but also with his help-defense, active hands, deflections, etc. and his rebounding was on point as well.
Not to take anything away from Perk, but I just get the feeling people don't fully acknowledge how good Sheed's performance actually was...
If he can give the Celts that type of game with consistency they will be a very hard team to beat.

And last but not least: Perk is just sensational this season. Should get consideration for most-improved player, but probably won't...

[KJ33]

I partially agree.  He did wonders last year in the playoffs.  But to be fair, let's remember he only played a hair over 20 minutes last night.  So we certainly have to give Rasheed some credit as well who played most of the rest of the minutes on Howard.   

Sheed was awesome last night. Very efficient on offense, great shot selection (only two three point attempts too) and his defense was fantastic, not only one-on-one on howard but also with his help-defense, active hands, deflections, etc. and his rebounding was on point as well.
Not to take anything away from Perk, but I just get the feeling people don't fully acknowledge how good Sheed's performance actually was...
If he can give the Celts that type of game with consistency they will be a very hard team to beat.

And last but not least: Perk is just sensational this season. Should get consideration for most-improved player, but probably won't...

You're right.  Perk picked up 2 quick fouls, and overall played far fewer minutes than usual.  He always does a great job on Howard, but yesterday has to go to both he and Sheed.  If Perk went out in the first 5 minutes last year, the C's would have been in big, big trouble guarding Howard. 

The reasons for acquiring Sheed, especially for the playoffs, were eminently clear yesterday.  Now Perk can be aggressive early, and if the refs are calling it tight like yesterday, what a great replacement to have Sheed to come in and really not miss a beat against Howard.

[timpiker]

I told a friend awhile back that playing Howard or Shaq means nothing to me because of Perk.  Perk's extremely good against those kind of centers.  I am not surpirsed at all.

I also told my friend about Rondo being so unbelievably talented distributing the ball - keeping his dribble, passes equally well with either hand, makes great passes, sees the whole court - a modern-day Bob Cousy is what Rondo is.  Then about 2 weeks ago my friend told me I was right.

I know we have the "Big 3" but Rondo and Perk are the real story.

[wdleehi]

As long as the Celtics are allowed to play the physical defense they played when they won the title, the defense of Perk (along with KG, Wallace and even Davis), they can push around just about any of the top teams (with Cleveland being the only team as physical)

[Fafnir]

I told a friend awhile back that playing Howard or Shaq means nothing to me because of Perk.  Perk's extremely good against those kind of centers.  I am not surpirsed at all.

I also told my friend about Rondo being so unbelievably talented distributing the ball - keeping his dribble, passes equally well with either hand, makes great passes, sees the whole court - a modern-day Bob Cousy is what Rondo is.  Then about 2 weeks ago my friend told me I was right.

I know we have the "Big 3" but Rondo and Perk are the real story.

Cousy could shoot though, Rondo still can't.

I never saw Couz play, but I don't imagine he was quite the defensive terror that Rondo can be.

[Fafnir]

As long as the Celtics are allowed to play the physical defense they played when they won the title, the defense of Perk (along with KG, Wallace and even Davis), they can push around just about any of the top teams (with Cleveland being the only team as physical)

That's one of the reasons I'm so glad for Sheed. Having another big who can defend the paint in case the refs are calling it tight is huge!