Should Shaq continue to Start when Perk Comes Back? ( POLL)

[rondohondo]

I know that Perk is a very good defender and that the C's haven't lost with the Starting 5 of Rondo,Ray,PP,KG,Perk , but Perk isn't going to be full healthy ( probably about 75-80% by the playoffs).

To me Shaq fits in so much better with the Starting unit than he would with the bench. KG and Shaq seem to work off each other very well with Shaq controlling the paint and KG defending the pick and roll and perimeter. They are also a good inside/outside combo on offense.

 Rondo and Shaq also seem to have really good chemistry and is part of the reason why Rondo is averaging 13 assists per game this year. Rondo can penetrate and draw the defense and then just lob the ball to shaq for the dunk. There is no way that Perk can do this ( especially coming off an injury).

 I think Perk fits in perfectly with the bench this year. There will be plenty of scoring with a lineup of West,Nate, Daniels, BBD. I like the combo of Perk and BBD being the big men coming off the bench. They will absolutely eat up 2nd string big men they go against and it will allow Perk to come back slowly and not play to many mins as a starter.

I don't think Shaq would be nearly as effective without the big 4 freeing him up to score easy dunks and put backs. At this point of his career he needs to be set up because he does not have great low post move or athleticism that he once did.

Also add in the fact that Shaq can get the opposing teams in foul trouble early in quarters, I think it is a no brainer to stick with Shaq as the Starter.

So who do you guys want to start ?

[barefacedmonk]

I think we already have a smiliar thread and/or poll. Not sure.

But to answer your question, no, Perk needs to start...Shaq will have an advantage over other team's backup C.

[action781]

I think we already have a smiliar thread and/or poll. Not sure.

But to answer your question, no, Perk needs to start...Shaq will have an advantage over other team's backup C.

That's why I always thought in theory, but has anyone yet seen Shaq really dominate when playing on the second team?  I haven't yet and he's incredibly effective with the first line like the OP mentioned.  I don't think Perk will be any more effective or ineffective whether with the first or second team.

I say Shaq.

[radiohead]

I think we already have a smiliar thread and/or poll. Not sure.

But to answer your question, no, Perk needs to start...Shaq will have an advantage over other team's backup C.

I agree. He may not have Rondo there to pass to him but i think he can bulldoze his way against the second tier centers of the league. Besides, Perk would be a better defensive match up against the opponent's starting centers.

[LooseCannon]

Let me pose a different question.  Who would you rather have in there at the end of close games against a top five or so team....Shaq or Perk (or would you rather see a KG-BBD front line against teams like the Lakers or Heat)?  (You are allowed to have a different answer for each team.)

[barefacedmonk]

I think we already have a smiliar thread and/or poll. Not sure.

But to answer your question, no, Perk needs to start...Shaq will have an advantage over other team's backup C.

That's why I always thought in theory, but has anyone yet seen Shaq really dominate when playing on the second team?  I haven't yet and he's incredibly effective with the first line like the OP mentioned.  I don't think Perk will be any more effective or ineffective whether with the first or second team.

I say Shaq.

Perk has claimed a few times already that the starting spot is his...you don't think that might cause some chemistry issues?

Besides, Shaq can have his way with Chicago, Orlando, Miami and Atlanta's back up Cs...the only teams that matter in the playoffs.

Besides, Perk will need more minutes to get into game shape.

[barefacedmonk]

Let me pose a different question.  Who would you rather have in there at the end of close games against a top five or so team....Shaq or Perk (or would you rather see a KG-BBD front line against teams like the Lakers or Heat)?  (You are allowed to have a different answer for each team.)

Perkins if we need a defensive stop. KG and BBD if it's a close game and we need to score. I don't trust Perk and Shaq to make their freethrows.

[action781]

I think we already have a smiliar thread and/or poll. Not sure.

But to answer your question, no, Perk needs to start...Shaq will have an advantage over other team's backup C.

That's why I always thought in theory, but has anyone yet seen Shaq really dominate when playing on the second team?  I haven't yet and he's incredibly effective with the first line like the OP mentioned.  I don't think Perk will be any more effective or ineffective whether with the first or second team.

I say Shaq.

Perk has claimed a few times already that the starting spot is his...you don't think that might cause some chemistry issues?

Besides, Shaq can have his way with Chicago, Orlando, Miami and Atlanta's back up Cs...the only teams that matter in the playoffs.

Besides, Perk will need more minutes to get into game shape.

I know Shaq CAN have his way with backup centers for any team.  But there is a lot more to having your way in a 1-1 matchup than simply being a more dominant player.  The biggest thing is you need to have the ball handler's priority be to get you the ball in that mismatch.  On the first team, he has Rondo to give him those lob passes in perfect position to slam it home.  On the second team, he has Nate jacking up 3's instead.  Also, you need spacing so help defense can't collapse.  On the first team, he's surrounded by shooters.  On the second team, he has Marquis who can't shoot and also Baby who other teams have shown are glad to allow to shoot that 16 footer at around a 50% TS clip (can anybody verify that stat?). 

So, yeah, he CAN have his way with second string centers.  But, have you seen him yet?  I haven't very much.

[Change]

The whole benching of ShaQ thing I'm not a fan of the idea. Its one thing if Perkins is a clear cut upgrade over ShaQ but that's not the case. I wouldn't touch starting lineup. ShaQ & KG have developed great chemistry. Rondo finally has a center who can actually finish his passes (Stats don't lie 13+assists). ShaQ already sacrificed pay to come to Boston don't strip him off his starting job. He earned it with his play. Get #18 so he can out on top.

[GreenEnvy]

When the season started and I saw Shaq gelling with the rest of the starters, I wanted him to stay the starter.

But, I think we know how good the starters are with Perk, particularly on defense. Hey, maybe Shaq taught Perk a thing or two.


Ideally, I'd want Perk to start, Shaq to get half of his minutes with the starters, and Perk ending the game. Don't know if that is possible, but what I would like.

[barefacedmonk]

I know Shaq CAN have his way with backup centers for any team.  But there is a lot more to having your way in a 1-1 matchup than simply being a more dominant player.  The biggest thing is you need to have the ball handler's priority be to get you the ball in that mismatch.  On the first team, he has Rondo to give him those lob passes in perfect position to slam it home.  On the second team, he has Nate jacking up 3's instead.  Also, you need spacing so help defense can't collapse.  On the first team, he's surrounded by shooters.  On the second team, he has Marquis who can't shoot and also Baby who other teams have shown are glad to allow to shoot that 16 footer at around a 50% TS clip (can anybody verify that stat?). 

So, yeah, he CAN have his way with second string centers.  But, have you seen him yet?  I haven't very much.

The whole benching of ShaQ thing I'm not a fan of the idea. Its one thing if Perkins is a clear cut upgrade over ShaQ but that's not the case. I wouldn't touch starting lineup. ShaQ & KG have developed great chemistry. Rondo finally has a center who can actually finish his passes (Stats don't lie 13+assists). ShaQ already sacrificed pay to come to Boston don't strip him off his starting job. He earned it with his play. Get #18 so he can out on top.

I agree with both of you...but what about the possible chemistry issues this might create. I'm sure you have seen those interviews with Perk where he has claimed the starting position as his...I'm a bit concerned with that part...besides Perk has been our starting center for a few years now and we have done quite well.

Shaq is a better offensive player than Sheed who played as our back up center last year. That didn't work out badly at all...a finals appearance.

A second unit of Delonte, Nate, Marquis, BBD/JO, Shaq/JO/Semih should be able to give our starters enough breathing time without worrying about the scoreboard. Also, Doc will always have one starter with the second unit during the playoffs.

[Mazingerz]

i say continue to start shaq. At the moment, he's a better fit than perk.

[Mulla]

I think we already have a smiliar thread and/or poll. Not sure.

But to answer your question, no, Perk needs to start...Shaq will have an advantage over other team's backup C.

That's why I always thought in theory, but has anyone yet seen Shaq really dominate when playing on the second team?  I haven't yet and he's incredibly effective with the first line like the OP mentioned.  I don't think Perk will be any more effective or ineffective whether with the first or second team.

I say Shaq.

Perk has claimed a few times already that the starting spot is his...you don't think that might cause some chemistry issues?

Besides, Shaq can have his way with Chicago, Orlando, Miami and Atlanta's back up Cs...the only teams that matter in the playoffs.

Besides, Perk will need more minutes to get into game shape.

I know Shaq CAN have his way with backup centers for any team.  But there is a lot more to having your way in a 1-1 matchup than simply being a more dominant player.  The biggest thing is you need to have the ball handler's priority be to get you the ball in that mismatch.  On the first team, he has Rondo to give him those lob passes in perfect position to slam it home.  On the second team, he has Nate jacking up 3's instead.  Also, you need spacing so help defense can't collapse.  On the first team, he's surrounded by shooters.  On the second team, he has Marquis who can't shoot and also Baby who other teams have shown are glad to allow to shoot that 16 footer at around a 50% TS clip (can anybody verify that stat?). 

So, yeah, he CAN have his way with second string centers.  But, have you seen him yet?  I haven't very much.

I'd have to agree with this. We also have to consider the fact that in general, the 2nd unit is a pretty offensive one. Although they've improved significantly, Nate and BBD stand out in that regard. Quisy can play good D (when he wants to) but its his low post moves that really stand out. Perk would be a welcome addition.

Having said that, even if Shaq starts, Perk should be finishing the game. If we can have Shaq play 20 mins all out, jumping after the balls (like in today's Detroit game) then I don't think anybody can argue with the results.

[guava_wrench]

We need to start some of these threads on nights when Shaq is completely ineffective.

[action781]

We need to start some of these threads on nights when Shaq is completely ineffective.

I gotta be honest.  I've been considering these thoughts ever since the first time I saw Shaq in the starting lineup.  It's not about the results; it's about how seemlessly he fits in.

I also would like to chime in that I, too, think that Perk should be the one finishing games.  I'd love to see Shaq play hard for 20 minutes, but I'd like 6 of those minutes to be the opening 6.