WEEI : Perk Update - Perk has a severe PCL strain, very doubtful for game 7

[celticinorlando]

bynum is only going to give them limited minutes IMO...he is in just as bad shape as perk..

[FallGuy]

Update: Team source says Perk's done.

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5290682

Perkins was hopeful, saying: “I’m going to try to give it a go [on Thursday].” But a team source told ESPN.com’s Chris Sheridan: “He’s done.”

Perkins underwent X-rays during the Lakers’ 89-67 win that tied the series at 3. He suffered sprains to both his medial collateral ligament and posterior cruciate ligament, sources told ESPN The Magazine’s Ric Bucher. The team said that Perkins will be re-evaluated on Wednesday, which likely means an MRI to ascertain the extent of the damage.

[twinbree]

Tough break but a severe strain still sounds better than a tear so I pray it stays that way after the MRI. I'd hate to see him get severely injured right before a contract year. Get well soon Perk.

[BirdLegend33]

bynum is only going to give them limited minutes IMO...he is in just as bad shape as perk..

I'm not sure you can count on that. Bynum can give them enough for it to make a big difference.

[slamtheking]

bad news about Perk but at least it's not a career threatening injury. 

the critical element to game 7 is how long can Sheed play and contribute?  will he get quick whistles that put him on the bench? will he play matador defense early in the game to conserve his fouls for the second half?  Will the refs let him play a reasonably physical game so that he can stay on the floor?

all big questions that won't be answered until the game.

[Kuberski33]

If the rest of the team shows up to play and Sheed & Baby come up big, they'll be fine.  Perk's been a liability on offense the entire playoffs and his rebounding this series hasn't been all that great.  They'll miss him on defense, but if Sheed plays smart they can deal with that.

Keep in mind, Sheed is finally in shape. For one game -- and especially with Bynum good for about one 6 or 7 minute stretch per game right now -- I think they can overcome Perk's loss.

[celticinorlando]

i think they are going to have to play KG more minutes...40 plus

[vinnie]

Biggest loss with Perk is that he is the team's best rebounder and he truly is the only "tough" guy on the team. The rebounding issue has been huge in this series and they will miss Perk's toughness. Anything's possible, though.

[Drucci]

It sucks, obviously, for the team but especially for Perk.

I feel bad for him, he always works hard, plays tough D, never flops, talks straight... and he gets injured, and he misses the two biggest games of his career. Talk about horrible luck, wow... I feel so bad for him.

Plus, it will make the day of Gasoft and Odom, these two guys are ultra soft but only play great when Perk is out (see last night or game 5 of the 2008 Finals, when Perk didn't play and wasn't here to defend the paint). Terrible.

That said, I'm confident Sheed will bring it. The problem is, he can't play effectively for more than 25 minutes because of his age, his condition and the fact that he will probably get in foul trouble (the refs won't make him any favor with Perk missing and thin rotation for our big men, you can be sure of that).

We can do it, and it would be awesome to win it in such a tough situation. Let's win it for Perk, Celtics, he deserves it!!

[Evantime34]

It might not hurt in order for Sheed/Baby/KG to get rest by going with a small lineup with Pierce as the 4.

We really need Rondo to have a good game and the best way to do so is running. Playing with a small lineup would force us to run.

[Steve Weinman]

I'd hate to see him get severely injured right before a contract year.

Or right before, say, a decisive seventh game of the NBA Finals.

Sorry, couldn't resist.  But I admire the concern for Perk in the long-term as well, Bree.  

-sw

[FallGuy]

I'd hate to see him get severely injured right before a contract year.

Or right before, say, a decisive seventh game of the NBA Finals.

Sorry, couldn't resist.  But I admire the concern for Perk in the long-term as well, Bree.  

-sw

A TP for your reemergence, Steve!

[Eddie20]

I'd probably lean towards Scal over Williams if we get plagued by fouls. Think Scal would cover Odom better than Williams, along the perimeter, and at least keep him honest on the other end.

[FLCeltsFan]

I too would go with Scal over Sheldon who has not been able to hold on to either passes or rebounds in this series.  Scal is pretty good on defense and he plays smart for the most part. 

[Mr October]

I've now got a ugly feeling about this next game. We didnt just lose we got blown out all the momentum is with them. They have homecourt, which no matter how good of a road team we are in a game 7 they got the HUGE advantage. No Perk the next game, if Wallace starts why am I afraid he will either be in foul trouble and/or t'd up before the half?

We saw the results tonight of what happens with no Perk. I'm very very worried.

If there is one thing I have learned about this team, and all the series I watched, is that there is very little momentum from game to game in a seven game series. ....well, unless you are the Orlando Magic.