Shaq is a vast upgrade over Perkins.

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Shaq vs Perkins.

Catch and finish ability - Shaq with ease. Perk's greatest weakness and my biggest beef with him he's too methodical. And he doesn't have the softest hands either. Shaq has been thriving simply by doing this all season.

Passing from the post - Shaq. Perk sometimes doesn't know when to quit and pass it out. It seems everyone, but Perk recognizes these moments. Shaq on the other punishes you when you try to double team or passes it out just to get better position.

Scoring in the post - Shaq, but not by as much as most would think. Perk's hook is pretty reliable when he gets good position and there's no help. For both players their offense gets a lot, better when they're playing physically weaker opponents.

Shot Blocking & Post defense - Wash. Perk does his work early not allowing his man to get position and is tough to move. He forces opponents into difficult positions. Shaq is tough to move and is hard to get around off his size alone.

Rebounding - Perk by a hair. Perk grab's between 7-8 rebounds in 27 minutes. Shaq is getting 6 in 21 it's arguable he could out rebound Perk if he played the same minutes (but he can't play those minutes so Perk).

Help Defense - Perk by a million. This is the only area where I think Perk really outshines Shaq. Perk is more active, is quicker to spots, and simply tries harder. 90% of Shaqs fouls seem to come on help defense which our entire defense is predicated on (trusting the next man has your back).

Shaq, wins out 3 to 2. He's a better finisher off the catch, passer from the post, and post scorer. Perkins is a better defender and rebounder. In my opinion, we don't need Shaq to score from the post and it's not like he's that much better than Perk anymore so that can be thrown out. So I would consider it a wash between the two it's all preference. Do you value Shaqs quick finishing ability and ability to pass out of the post to open shooters, or Perkins better defense, and rebounding. Before the season I probably would've went with Shaq, but I think our defense needs Perk more. From the few (  )games I've seen our defense has been pretty average. I think Perkin's help defense would make it a lot better. Offense isn't really an issue for me (Rondo's better and KG's healthy, Ray and PP are about the same) we've managed the last few years haven't we?

TP for the breakdown.

Personally, I'd give the rebounding slight-edge to Shaq, as I'm not sure Perk is that interested in rebounding.  Regarding minutes, at no time has Perk averaged 30 minutes per game, so I can't give him an edge on this one.  A tie would make it 3-1 in Shaq's favor, which is a decisive advantage, by I give him the rebounding edge to make it 4-1.

One other thing that might be harder to manage is the hard-foul break down.  Perk tends to pick up a few offensive fouls setting screens, so doesn't have them to give on the defensive end.  Shaq has been very willing to enforce the McHale "no-layups" rule, circa [before Rambis got contacts].  That's important.  I was quite pleased with his laying out of Lebron, who usually gets an open lane to the hoop due to his large size and velocity.  Not with Shaq in the middle...actually, though called for a flagrant on a couple of those fouls, I think he might have really wanted to lay that one on Lebron.  That's an added plus for Shaq in my book.

Final score:  Shaq, with a record of 5-1-2 (ties).

[Fafnir]

Shaq this year compared to Perkins last year.

I think everyone is forgetting just how easily the Celtics were able to exploit Shaq in that Cleveland series. His inability to contest any pick and pop or provide any sort of help defense will really hurt us against the better teams in the playoffs.

[wdleehi]

Oh how we forget.


When Perk went down in the playoffs, the interior defense took a huge hit.



Never overlook the fact that Perk can and did jump out at guys like Lebron and Kobe.  Shaq can not do that.



They are a two headed monster come playoff time.  Perk starts to be KG's dirty job man down low.  Shaq comes in and abuses the other teams number 2 C. 

[KCattheStripe]

They are a two headed monster come playoff time.  Perk starts to be KG's dirty job man down low.  Shaq comes in and abuses the other teams number 2 C. 

I can't wait for Shaq versus LO/ Theo Ratliff.

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Oh how we forget.


Never overlook the fact that Perk can and did jump out at guys like Lebron and Kobe.  Shaq can not do that.

We're not really sure Perk will be able to do that, either.

Oh how we forget...

And I'm not too sure how long (into his career) he could be relied on for that, either...not exactly a topic for this thread, but something to consider when thinking about a long term contract if this, in particular, is his main calling card.

And I hope that shoulder is healing up right along with the knee...

Perk's a pretty solid role player, but one the whole is much overrated on CB, IMHO.  Even in his advancing years, Shaq is still a much better all-around player.

[Fafnir]

If Shaq is a better all around player, why is he available for the veteran's minimum? If he's a better all around player, why has Doc said the Celtics wanted him on the court in the Cleveland series?

[dark_lord]

imo, shaq is better offensively and perk is better defensively.

i legitimately think the celtics are the best possible fit for shaq at this stage in his career.

[guava_wrench]

Shaq this year compared to Perkins last year.

I think everyone is forgetting just how easily the Celtics were able to exploit Shaq in that Cleveland series. His inability to contest any pick and pop or provide any sort of help defense will really hurt us against the better teams in the playoffs.

It does get a little frustrating watching Shaq just lean towards guys taking jumpers and not closing out when I've become used to our intense defense.

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If Shaq is a better all around player, why is he available for the veteran's minimum? If he's a better all around player, why has Doc said the Celtics wanted him on the court in the Cleveland series?

Some possible responses:

1) Shaq wasn't going to the highest bidder this time.  His dollar value consequently measured by this contract.

2) Mike Brown was the 2nd worst NBA coach last year (behind Nellie), and didn't know how to use any of his players, including Shaq.  Though Doc said he wanted him on the opponent's lineup, he's also starting him right now (and ahead of JO in that brief window of his heath) ahead of BBD, who is very mobile for his...ahem...girth.

No question Shaq is not himself of 2000-2002 (the Finals MVP years), and now a coach has to figure out how and when to use his weapons while avoiding exposure by his weak areas.  During the Middle Years (between dominance and present role-player status), quite a few coaches (and Shaq himself) didn't figure out how to use him.  Doc, IMO, has mostly worked it out.  Shaq is actually getting better defensively right now, more than I've seen him in quite a few years.

[greenpride32]

It doesn't matter who's better on O or D.  Bottom line is Shaq is the better all around player even at his advanced age.  The biggest advantage Shaq gives us over Perk is an inside offensive presence.  No longer are we going to be that strictly jump shooting team that can sometimes get into those strings of stagnant possesions.  We are going to put the other teams into the penalty quicker and more often.  Not only is Shaq more talented but his attributes improve the team more than Perk's.  Shaq can also convert all those easy buckets whereas with Perk you just had to close your eyes and pray.  I love Perk and all, but he is not a dominant defender or rebounder, but and above average to good defender.

[indeedproceed]

Shaq is not a vast upgrade over Perkins. Perkins is vastly better defensive player, because he can actually defend the pick and roll, and honestly as ridiculous as it is to say, Perkins has better range.

On top of that, I don't think Shaq converts on a much better clip than Perkins does around the hoop. Shaq is shooting 63% from the field, Perkins shot 60% last year.

Honestly I don't think Shaq plays the offensive side of the ball much better as an individual, and he's not a better defensive player, period. The one big advantage Shaq has on Perkins is that Shaq is massive. He draws way more fouls. I wish we had a "fouls drawn per shot attempt" stat, but since we don't, some basic excel data will show us:

Shaq: Career FTA's/25 mins 6.7, this season 4.2
Perkins: Career 2.1, last season 3.3

Not a huge disparity, but one that is pretty important.

[BballTim]

I love Perk and all, but he is not a dominant defender or rebounder, but and above average to good defender.

  He's one of the best defensive bigs in the league.

[guava_wrench]

It doesn't matter who's better on O or D.  Bottom line is Shaq is the better all around player even at his advanced age.  The biggest advantage Shaq gives us over Perk is an inside offensive presence.  No longer are we going to be that strictly jump shooting team that can sometimes get into those strings of stagnant possesions.  We are going to put the other teams into the penalty quicker and more often.  Not only is Shaq more talented but his attributes improve the team more than Perk's.  Shaq can also convert all those easy buckets whereas with Perk you just had to close your eyes and pray.  I love Perk and all, but he is not a dominant defender or rebounder, but and above average to good defender.

Of course it matters. It matters because no player is alone on a team. It might be easier for the other players to replace Shaq's contributions if he isn't there than for the other players to replace Perk's contributions. Especially considering the minute cap on Shaq's contributions if he is going to try hard enough to be effective.

[paul]

If we use Shaq right, he massively upgrades our strength in the post, and especially our offensive power there.

But he's not a fulltime player anymore.

[Tgro]

Shaq vs. Perk seems like a [dang] good problem to have if both are healthy and can both contribute solid minutes. We lost Perk for both game 6 and 7 in the Finals and had neither him nor Shaq to fill in once he went down and ultimately lost the series.

How great would it be to have both rotating all game when needed??? Gotta be twice as good as having neither.