Shaq vs. Perk

[CNYCeltsfan]

So I am new here but a life long Celtic fan stuck in Central NY.  The best thing about this season so far for me is getting the opportunity to watch Shaqw play on a daily basis (well except for the 5 games he was out).  He passes well, he is a beast on the boards, and even runs the break.

So when Perk comes back...does he stay the starter.  I say yes, and here nis why.  Shaq is actually a much more complimentary player to KG and the starting 5 then a bench player.  He can get 20 great productive minutes in the first 3 quarters.  We then let the younger and more defensive minded perk come off the bench and close otu 4th quarters so people cant employ hack a shaq.  Or Big Baby comes in and we go small to try and climb back into games.

Personally I say we go with the big shamrock this year and let perk get healthy with less minutes and be ready for the playoffs.

[mmbaby]

I agree with your thoughts, CNYceltsfan. And here's your first tommy point for a good post.

[StartOrien]

So I am new here but a life long Celtic fan stuck in Central NY.  The best thing about this season so far for me is getting the opportunity to watch Shaqw play on a daily basis (well except for the 5 games he was out).  He passes well, he is a beast on the boards, and even runs the break.

So when Perk comes back...does he stay the starter.  I say yes, and here nis why.  Shaq is actually a much more complimentary player to KG and the starting 5 then a bench player.  He can get 20 great productive minutes in the first 3 quarters.  We then let the younger and more defensive minded perk come off the bench and close otu 4th quarters so people cant employ hack a shaq.  Or Big Baby comes in and we go small to try and climb back into games.

Personally I say we go with the big shamrock this year and let perk get healthy with less minutes and be ready for the playoffs.

I'd start Perkins, mostly because I think he's the only one of the three candidates who I'd be concerned with getting upset about the demotion. Hopefully he's our starting center for a while, so I wouldn't do anything to jeapordize that. Have Shaq finish games if we need points, Jermaine/Perk if we're up.

[CNYCeltsfan]

Why is everyone so worried about Perk's fraguile ego.  What about disrupting the chemistry of the starting 5 that are playing now?  KG seems to LOVE playing with shaq, the other starters too.  I think Doc can convince Perkins he is taking a temporary back seat to Shaq until he gets healthy as Shaq is a oe or two year player at most.  Perkins is not going to come back healthy and in shape, look at KG last year.  Less minutes will only help Perkins.  Then next year with a full year of recovery he can become the starting center again.  It just makes too mucbh sense for it not to happen that way. 

[Celtics17]

I gotta agree with what you just said there NYC Fan. Perk will not come back in game shape, there's no way. Give him reduced backup minutes till he proves the team is better with him in the starting lineup. I love Perk and am not trying to take anything away from him but I am also not willing to forego the teams chemistry if it's just to acquiesce somebodies ego.

[Boris Badenov]

Perkins is the ideal "enforcer off the bench" type. Imagine how aggressive he could be without worrying about foul trouble.

[Evantime34]

I'd prefer Perk starting for the following reasons.
1. His Ego. Although I know he could handle it why not appease him once he shows he is healthy.
2. Our bench has been one of the lowest scoring second units in the league. Shaq is better suited than Perk to help this.

In reality it doesn't really matter who starts, because Perk or Baby will probably be the ones in crunch time at the end of the game. Since Perk will care more about starting than Shaq does why not start him.

[wdleehi]

I would start a healthy Perk because.


1)  His better defense means more against the other teams best players.

2) After he leans on the other teams big men, Shaq comes in fresh and is even more effective offensively.  (either against a tired starter or reserve big man)



I think that takes the greatest advantage of both players strengths.  Both will play in the number of minutes they will play.  (Shaq around 20 minutes, Perk around 25 minutes)

[Birdbrain]

They had the replay of game 6 vs cleveland on NBA TV yesterday and it made me miss Perkins.  The big fella isn't the most agile or quickest player but, he plays his role (enforcer/defender) very well.  I love what Shaq's brought to the team but, I think after Perkins is healthy (couple weeks as a backup)  he'll be back in the starting line up.  I just think it's best for the team as a whole.  Some of which is not only for bball related issues and have been mentioned a few times in this thread.


Doc also mentioned it's his job when he gets back.

[housecall]

One things for sure i rather have Perk vs D.Howard come playoff time...all the other can be work'd out as we go.A lot will depend on where both big guys health is going forward.

[BballTim]

Why is everyone so worried about Perk's fraguile ego.  What about disrupting the chemistry of the starting 5 that are playing now?  KG seems to LOVE playing with shaq, the other starters too.  I think Doc can convince Perkins he is taking a temporary back seat to Shaq until he gets healthy as Shaq is a oe or two year player at most.  Perkins is not going to come back healthy and in shape, look at KG last year.  Less minutes will only help Perkins.  Then next year with a full year of recovery he can become the starting center again.  It just makes too mucbh sense for it not to happen that way. 

  First of all, I wouldn't put too much stock into egos. For starters, every player will tell you it's not who starts the game, it's who finishes it. And right now that's Glen Davis, not Shaq. Secondly, if you're worried about disrupting the chemistry, keep in mind the big 4 play more minutes with Baby than they do with Shaq.

[KungPoweChicken]

I'd continue starting Shaq, and I don't think it's even that hard of a decision.

[MBz]

I'd continue starting Shaq, and I don't think it's even that hard of a decision.

Agreed.  I think they should be feeding the ball to Shaq to start every game.  I absolutely love the inside presence which he brings.  Once Shaq gets going inside, the outside should open up quite nicely for Pierce, KG and Allen.  The other thing, with Perks injury being a knee injury I would be surprised to see him come back in game shape.  Let him start on the bench and get back into game shape, if he outplays Shaq then you put him back in the starting line up.

[LB3533]

Right now with Shaq starting, we got something good going.

Don't fix what ain't broken.

If you were to tell me, 100% certainty that Perk could come back healthy and instantly play the way he has been playing the last couple years...fine start him.

But nothing is 100% certainty.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

One thing... even though Shaq is willing to come off, are we sure his old body can warm-up, cool off, then heat-up and be ready to go again? From what Doc says, we will find out. I also have trouble seeing Shaq and Baby working together w/o other starters... when Shaq and baby have played together (besides last game, which was with starters w/ no KG), it hasn't worked out too well.