No Perk, No Rings

[Greenback]

Do ya think we missed him in game 6 and game 7?

[Bankshot]

We could have won this game without Perk (not the series, but the game).  If KG had rebounded and Ray made shots, we win. KG and Ray Allen got outrebounded 33-5.

[ManUp]

Speaking of Perk will he even be ready to go at the start of next season?

[Who]

We could have won this game without Perk (not the series, but the game).  If KG had rebounded and Ray made shots, we win. KG and Ray Allen got outrebounded 33-5.

I wouldn't compare Ray's rebounding to Kobe Bryant. Most of Kobe's rebounds have come when defending Rajon Rondo, when he's allowed hang out at the foul line and dive in to grab the ball.

There was still a negative rebounding differential Kobe vs Ray but Kobe did most of his damage on the glass, throughout the series not just last night (8rpg over 7 games ... one board every five minutes which is off the charts for a guard), while defending Rondo (6.3rpg, one every six minutes, also stellar).

[Bankshot]

We could have won this game without Perk (not the series, but the game).  If KG had rebounded and Ray made shots, we win. KG and Ray Allen got outrebounded 33-5.

I wouldn't compare Ray's rebounding to Kobe Bryant. Most of Kobe's rebounds have come when defending Rajon Rondo, when he's allowed hang out at the foul line and dive in to grab the ball.

There was still a negative rebounding differential Kobe vs Ray but Kobe did most of his damage on the glass, throughout the series not just last night (8rpg over 7 games ... one board every five minutes which is off the charts for a guard), while defending Rondo (6.3rpg, one every six minutes, also stellar).

Yeah, I wouldn't compare Ray's rebounding to Kobe, it's just that 15-2 is really eye opening.  But more concerning is the 18-3 discrepancy between KG and Gasol.  Ray is not supposed to be a good rebounder, but KG is.

[Who]

We could have won this game without Perk (not the series, but the game).  If KG had rebounded and Ray made shots, we win. KG and Ray Allen got outrebounded 33-5.

I wouldn't compare Ray's rebounding to Kobe Bryant. Most of Kobe's rebounds have come when defending Rajon Rondo, when he's allowed hang out at the foul line and dive in to grab the ball.

There was still a negative rebounding differential Kobe vs Ray but Kobe did most of his damage on the glass, throughout the series not just last night (8rpg over 7 games ... one board every five minutes which is off the charts for a guard), while defending Rondo (6.3rpg, one every six minutes, also stellar).

Yeah, I wouldn't compare Ray's rebounding to Kobe, it's just that 15-2 is really eye opening.  But more concerning is the 18-3 discrepancy between KG and Gasol.  Ray is not supposed to be a good rebounder, but KG is.

Garnett's lack of rebounding was killing me all night long.

Sometimes the ball doesn't go in. Shooters miss shots. But rebounding is an effort category. Something that is more reliable, that you can depend on.

Very disappointing to see Garnett fail in that area and fail so badly.

[Greenback]

I can't help but think the C's could have won with Perk

[wdleehi]

It is very possible. 

[vinnie]

I thought Sheed gave us more than what Perk would have given us. Hell, he had 10 rebounds and 11 points, didn't he? The fact that Garnett snagged only 3 rebounds was a killer.

[greg683x]

I can't help but think the C's could have won with Perk

I think we would have.  Big Baby guarding Gasol throughout the 3rd/4th quarter was killing us.  Injuries happen though, you cant use them as excuses.

[Mr October]

Yup. If Perk's knee held up, the Celtics would have won. I am convinced. But he was injured and the Lakers killed us on the boards. Tough, tough loss. I really hope this team can get one more shot it.

[fujkami78]

Perk did the heavy lifting many times and KG would turn sideways and get burned over and over again. Add few rebounds for KG last night plus the less than stellar shooting in the series. - Paul had the city of L.A. in his head, friends, family and so on. - Ray was open many times and not passed to, then passed to when he had pressure. - Baby should have shot from his sweet spot. - So yeah we DID miss Perk. Perk is the big oak in the middle.

[Chris]

Perhaps.  Or the C's would have struggled even more to score, and the results would have been the same, with the score 10 points lower on each side.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter.  Injuries are part of the game.  The C's had amazing luck all playoffs long.  It ran out at the wrong time.  I personally do not see any use dwelling on what might have been, because there is no way to know.

[FLCeltsFan]

Perk's importance to this team isn't seen in the box score.  I do believe if we had Perk we would have won.   His defense was missed inside.  His boxing out is one of the reasons that the Celtics were able to beat the Lakers on the board in the 3 games they won.  He may not get the rebound, but his presence keeps the Lakers bigs from getting them.  Did you notice that the only games Gasoft showed up in were the ones that Perk was out?  And on offense, Perk's screens were missed to get the shooters open looks and open lanes to the basket.  Yes, Perk was definitely missed.  And, I fully believe that if he had played, we would have won.