What happens when Perk is back? (Chemestry issues)

[Spilling Green Dye]

When Perk Comes Back:

Semih Gets no minutes
Davis gets less minutes
Shaq stays about the same

This is when Perk not only comes back, but is back & healthy for good.  Personally I think Shaq fits the 1st unit better, but I don't think Perkins would be great on the 2nd unit at all.  Tough call. 

[ducksawce]

I totally agree with Megatron.  Though I don't think there will be a true starter per se, I do think both Shaq's and Perk's abilities are better maximized with the 1st and 2nd units respectively.

3 things:

1. The biggest problem with the first unit is scoring.  During the playoffs especially, the starters go through some godawful droughts.  As we've already seen in several games this year, Shaq's presence often ends these droughts or prevents them before they start. 

2.  In addition, don't underestimate the effect that Shaq has on first unit spacing...KG and Ray benefit the most from this!  Shaq sets some of the best picks in the NBA, and there's arguably no player more dependent on good screen-setting than Ray Allen!  It's a match made in heaven.  For KG, Shaq occupies the attention of opposing defenses to such a degree that Kevin can now be aggressive in the paint without having to worry about double teams.

3. Shaq's abilities are maximized with Rondo on the floor (the other way around is somewhat true as well!)  This is pretty straightforward.  Rondo's passing ability allows Shaq to do what he still does best...FINISH.  No longer does Shaq have to be relied upon to create his own offense.  THAT was what doomed his experience in Cleveland!
 
Also, think about what the bench needs more of.  I don't think it needs more scoring punch.  What it needs is more rebounding and defense.  It's the lack of these two things that has made the bench so unpredictable and occasionally ineffective.  Perk (and Jermaine!) would provide these two things in spades.

In the playoffs, I think Shaq, Perk and Jermaine will split the minutes pretty evenly.  Shaq will probably start, Perk will play big minutes with both units, and Jermaine will end games (especially against teams in which Baby's presence becomes a liability...i.e unable to guard lengthy bigs such as Gasol or Bynum).

Either way, barring injuries our bigs situation is pure gold.  Need reliable offense?  Insert Shaq.  Need sure-fire defense?  Insert Perk.  Want a little bit of both along with great 4th quarter free throw shooting?...Jermaine's the man.  This team's flexibility in bigs matchups will be ridiculous once everyone is healthy.

[Dybdal]

Aight! wanna breathe some new life into this discussion by presenting a hypothasis that my father voiced concern about over dinner about a week ago.

So we have discussed weather or not Shaq and Perk can co-exsist on this team during the season but there is one thing that has yet to be discussed and thats what would happen if the dream scenario happend this season.

2011 NBA Finals, Celtics vs Lakers!

Now my father thinks that Shaq can set aside everything he needs to during the season to make this work (like we have seen so far) but he belives that when the time comes to battle the Lakers, Shaq's prioritys might change from Celtics vs Lakers to Shaq vs Kobe.

He believes this is why he came here, he firmly believes that Shaq's biggest desire is to have that one battle with Kobe in a meaningfull enviroment (aka the playoffs) and win before he retires and i think he just might be right and that actualy also concerns me.

Question is, does it concern you Celticsblog?

[Bahku]

Aight! wanna breathe some new life into this discussion by presenting a hypothasis that my father voiced concern about over dinner about a week ago.

So we have discussed weather or not Shaq and Perk can co-exsist on this team during the season but there is one thing that has yet to be discussed and thats what would happen if the dream scenario happend this season.

2011 NBA Finals, Celtics vs Lakers!

Now my father thinks that Shaq can set aside everything he needs to during the season to make this work (like we have seen so far) but he belives that when the time comes to battle the Lakers, Shaq's prioritys might change from Celtics vs Lakers to Shaq vs Kobe.

He believes this is why he came here, he firmly believes that Shaq's biggest desire is to have that one battle with Kobe in a meaningfull enviroment (aka the playoffs) and win before he retires and i think he just might be right and that actualy also concerns me.

Question is, does it concern you Celticsblog?

Nope, I don't see it happening ... the best, (and most effective), statement Shaq can make towards Kobe is winning the Championship, and his best chances of doing that are being a part of this team, and doing what's needed to make it the most potent and cohesive unit it can be.

That means being unselfish and not affecting the chemistry of this team in a negative way. I think, most of all, Shaq is a very mature player, (and human being), when he needs to be, and that he's a bit beyond and above letting something personal ruin his effectiveness as a member of this team, and in turn, his chances of getting another ring. (TP - great question).

[birdwatcher]

I didn't read all the posts, so sorry if I'm mirroring anyone else's comments, but I think Shaq should start since he needs to get off early. Hopefully Perk will buy into that, because he'll probably be the one to share the 5 spot with Baby in the fourth quarter. If he could at least make free throws, maybe they wouldn't need to rely on Baby so much closing out the game, but between him and J O'Neal (is he still ALIVE?), we wouldn't have to play small at the 5 so much. Shaq could get back under 20 minutes, and perk would probably get a bit more, depending on who is playing better. I just hope Perk isn't too "territorial" about his starting position/minutes.

[Celtics4ever]

We have a good record now which is indicative of good chemisty.  Doc isn't going to jeopardize it.