perkins return (Tonight vs Cavs!)

[CelticG1]

Question: When Perk comes back is he gonna be the reserved Perk we saw at the tail end of the playoffs or regular Perk drawing T's every game?

I hope he plays a little more like he did when he had that suspension hanging over his head. He was just a more focused smart Perk.

Especially with how quick they've been T'ing up guys this year I hope he picks his spots and doesn't get in the doghouse of the refs right away

[Neurotic Guy]

Question: When Perk comes back is he gonna be the reserved Perk we saw at the tail end of the playoffs or regular Perk drawing T's every game?

I hope he plays a little more like he did when he had that suspension hanging over his head. He was just a more focused smart Perk.

Especially with how quick they've been T'ing up guys this year I hope he picks his spots and doesn't get in the doghouse of the refs right away

Technically, he's got a lot of catching up to do.

[Neurotic Guy]

I am not a medically knowledgeable person, and wonder if someone who knows the nature of Perk's injury and the rehab process could provide a timeline for return to baseline ability.

Most laypeople have gotten used to the frequently occurring injury labels but most of us do not understand the nuances and variables (mental and physical) that go into determining a prognosis or the likelihood of or timetable for returning to 100%.  Jeff on the front page alluded to Perk perhaps being 80-90% of his previous self and I wonder whether this pojection is accurate and based on Perk's specific injury whether Perk will be capable of returning to 100% by the end of this year.  

[rondohondo]

I am not a medically knowledgeable person, and wonder if someone who knows the nature of Perk's injury and the rehab process could provide a timeline for return to baseline ability.

Most laypeople have gotten used to the frequently occurring injury labels but most of us do not understand the nuances and variables (mental and physical) that go into determining a prognosis or the likelihood of or timetable for returning to 100%.  Jeff on the front page alluded to Perk perhaps being 80-90% of his previous self and I wonder whether this pojection is accurate and based on Perk's specific injury whether Perk will be capable of returning to 100% by the end of this year.  

KG had a far less severe injury and it took him about a year and a half to regain his old form and jumping ability. I would expect Perk to be about 75-80% at best until next season.

[KCattheStripe]

I am not a medically knowledgeable person, and wonder if someone who knows the nature of Perk's injury and the rehab process could provide a timeline for return to baseline ability.

Most laypeople have gotten used to the frequently occurring injury labels but most of us do not understand the nuances and variables (mental and physical) that go into determining a prognosis or the likelihood of or timetable for returning to 100%.  Jeff on the front page alluded to Perk perhaps being 80-90% of his previous self and I wonder whether this pojection is accurate and based on Perk's specific injury whether Perk will be capable of returning to 100% by the end of this year.  

KG had a far less severe injury and it took him about a year and a half to regain his old form and jumping ability. I would expect Perk to be about 75-80% at best until next season.
[/quote

KG was also 10 years older and relied far more on his jumping ability.]

[GreenEnvy]

I am not a medically knowledgeable person, and wonder if someone who knows the nature of Perk's injury and the rehab process could provide a timeline for return to baseline ability.

Most laypeople have gotten used to the frequently occurring injury labels but most of us do not understand the nuances and variables (mental and physical) that go into determining a prognosis or the likelihood of or timetable for returning to 100%.  Jeff on the front page alluded to Perk perhaps being 80-90% of his previous self and I wonder whether this pojection is accurate and based on Perk's specific injury whether Perk will be capable of returning to 100% by the end of this year. 

KG had a far less severe injury and it took him about a year and a half to regain his old form and jumping ability. I would expect Perk to be about 75-80% at best until next season.

KG was also 10 years older and relied far more on his jumping ability.

Exactly.

KG relies on his lateral movement and leaping ability. That takes time regardless of your age. Fortunately Perk isn't as reliant on athleticism as KG is.

Perk's game is brute force. He should have that back soon enough.

As long as he is mentally prepared when he gets the green light, I think he will be 90% of his old self by the time the playoffs roll around.

[rondohondo]

KG had a far less severe injury and it took him about a year and a half to regain his old form and jumping ability. I would expect Perk to be about 75-80% at best until next season.

KG was also 10 years older and relied far more on his jumping ability.
[/quote]


so you're expecting Perk to be better than 80% this season? I don't think there is any way possible. I know he is 10 years younger, but he tore 3 ligaments in his knee about 8 months ago. I wouldn't count on him being much more healthy than 80%

[2short]

The main issue with this injury is lateral movement, twisting, fast stops etc.  Perk's game is low post defense, the muscles around the knee should be built up by rehab to take punishment away from the knee.  Perk was never a guy to beat to many guys down the floor.  I think his pick & roll on offense & defense will show/suffer and also his shot block ability.  Also I don't think you can downplay the age thing as far as perk/kg go, being younger is a big big thing.  Lastly something that happens to many athletes is they tend to favor the injured area and end up blowing out other knee.  Fingers crossed the big guy comes back and can give us 20 minutes a night.
No medical degree but spent a career injured. 

[Neurotic Guy]

So, if Perk is indeed 80-90% of former self at best this year (and I realize we don't know) shouldn't we all be preparing ourselves for some mesure of disappointment? 

I mean Perk may be quite pedestrian at 10-20% less than his baseline self.  Remember that many complaints about slowness to the rim, excessive fouls, or limited offensive game will likely be worse.  Strengths like man to man D and team defensive rotations if mitigated by 10-20% could mean the difference between an excellent defender and a mediocre one. His mid-range rebounding skills and decent shot-blocking skills could also be weakened. We may end up this year thinking that his best contribution is eating up 15-20 minutes a night so Shaq can breathe. 

[rondohondo]

So, if Perk is indeed 80-90% of former self at best this year (and I realize we don't know) shouldn't we all be preparing ourselves for some mesure of disappointment? 

I mean Perk may be quite pedestrian at 10-20% less than his baseline self.  Remember that many complaints about slowness to the rim, excessive fouls, or limited offensive game will likely be worse.  Strengths like man to man D and team defensive rotations if mitigated by 10-20% could mean the difference between an excellent defender and a mediocre one. His mid-range rebounding skills and decent shot-blocking skills could also be weakened. We may end up this year thinking that his best contribution is eating up 15-20 minutes a night so Shaq can breathe. 

he may also be slow on setting picks which means he could get into foul trouble . He was already bad at setting picks, but he may be a step slow while recovering.

[LooseCannon]

My expectation is that Perkins will play no better, and probably worse, than he did towards the end of the regular season last year when he was battling an injury on his other knee.  He could be better than that, but I think it is reasonable to work off the assumption that that is his likely level of play.

[GreenEnvy]

I think any (minor) decline he has this season will be negated by a better BBall IQ.

Sitting all this time forces him to just watch the game. Instead of worrying about what he did wrong, he can just watch his teammates and the opponents.

He'll come back with a chip on his shoulder and a smarter player.

I am expecting a similar Perk than the one we've grown accustomed to over the years.

[Greenbean]

AS much as I hae loved Shaq, we need some continuity at the Center position. It has been a revolving door and IMO has affected the team defense building any sort of consistency. I hoping that Perk can just stay in the lineup. Even i he is not at full strength, just playing with the same Center every night can go a long way in building towards a championship run.

 Shaq will hopefully play a big role in the playoffs but in the 2nd unit I believe. Actually I am pretty excited to see what Shaq can do in the 2nd unit.

Dont ask me why but I can see him and Nate having fantastic chmistry on the court.

[hpantazo]

AS much as I hae loved Shaq, we need some continuity at the Center position. It has been a revolving door and IMO has affected the team defense building any sort of consistency. I hoping that Perk can just stay in the lineup. Even i he is not at full strength, just playing with the same Center every night can go a long way in building towards a championship run.

 Shaq will hopefully play a big role in the playoffs but in the 2nd unit I believe. Actually I am pretty excited to see what Shaq can do in the 2nd unit.

Dont ask me why but I can see him and Nate having fantastic chmistry on the court.

I don't know about that. Shaq has amazing chemistry with Rondo and KG, so much so that I think it has revived his career. Playing with someone like Nate at pg may totally kill his effectiveness.

[Jon]

Well, the Mavs should be a nice way to ease back.  They are very skilled, but also very soft.