perkins return (Tonight vs Cavs!)

[barefacedmonk]

They are very skilled, but also very soft. 

Not at their C postion. Tyson Chandler is far from soft.

[Neurotic Guy]

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.

If Shaq comes into the game around the 6 minute mark or when Perk picks up his second foul (whichever comes first), he'll have a good deal of play with Rondo -- some of it likely against the oppoenents second unit. That's exciting.   Also, when Nate is playing without the ball in his hands and Delonte is the back-up PG, I think Nate/Delonte and Shaq  will make a nice inside-outside combo. 

[LooseCannon]

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

Does that mean Perk's pick and roll defense is going to get tested heavily?

[Celtics18]

Perk's strength as a player has always been his work ethic, his intensity and his toughness.  It seems from all reports that these qualities are what has him back and ready to play ahead of schedule.

I'm really excited to see our center back on the court. 

[Celtics4ever]

At this point, Shaq should continue to start out of respect for the decent year he has had.  Perk should have ample opportunity to get the job back with all the minor injuries though.

[jsingh1699]

i dont think anyone can make a definitive statement on whether he starts through the remainder of the eyar and playoffs.

i expect his first week or two back for him to come off the bench regardless (even if that means erdin starting at the 5) just because he slowly has to increase his minutes. but depending on how he is playing, i think doc will figure out whether he should start him or sit him. i think we'll be able to get 15-20 solid minutes out of him a night in the playoffs, and shaq getting the same 15-20. in a lot of cases, we like ending games with BBD at the 5, so i think through the regular season, the big guys will be rested and ready to go in the playoffs.

[chambers]

i think we are going to see perk shoot alot of short range jumpers off the glass and i bet he's been working on his range quite a bit too.
We just need his body in the paint.
Compare his condition to JO, JO (when he's on the floor)is probably 40% of his old self?
Perk at 80% with Shaq playing like he is now= great combo down low.
I just can't wait to get some more rebounds.
Man we've missed the perkinator!

[BballTim]

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.

  I'd think that an 80% Perk would be more valuable than an 80% KG because Perk isn't in desperate need of great leaping ability.

[Chris]

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.

  I'd think that an 80% Perk would be more valuable than an 80% KG because Perk isn't in desperate need of great leaping ability.

I agree.  It all depends on what 80% that is, but I have always felt that KG, much like Rondo, really need to be at close to 100% to be truly effective.  Of course I also think a huge part of it has to do with what is asked of those guys compared to someone like Perk. 

[FLCeltsFan]

I agree that Perk's strengths are his work ethic, his intensity and his toughness.   Doc described Perk as our best big the first day back in practice.  He has been saying how great Perk looks.  I think the work ethic and mental toughness that brought him back roughly 2-3 months before originally predicted will be the same thing that brings him back very close to 100%.  Also, he has been working hard on his shot and his free throws.  If anything, I expect a better Perk once he returns.  I absolutely can't wait to see him back on the court.  

Also, I don't want him coming back vs the Lakers.  He needs to come back at home where he can feel the love of Celtics nation in his return. 

[LooseCannon]

Work ethic, intensity, and toughness won't make up for it if his body just doesn't have the same lateral quickness or leaping ability this soon after his injury.  Look at how KG just couldn't do certain things last season despite his immense willpower.

High expectations could lead some fans to turn on him if he seems worse than how Jermaine O'Neal has done when he has been able to play.  A couple of bad games from Perk leading to losses and the reaction on here might lead Shaq to decide that he was to hasty in dubbing Stan Van Gundy the "master of panic".

[FLCeltsFan]

I for one will never turn on Perk.  I've been a huge Perk fan since his rookie season and will remain so for his career.  But I do expect him to come back and play very well this season.  That's just the kind of guy he is.  He never was a big leaper.  From what I've heard from those who have watched him work out, his lateral quickness is also good.   I know we won't know for sure until he gets into game situations, but I think whatever he gives the team at this point will be a huge benefit to them.

[indeedproceed]

LINK!

Yeah baby!!!

[xmuscularghandix]

I'm very excited about this, judging from all the interviews i've seen Perk has been ready for the comeback since he got his stamina back. The Celtics will be up tonight, and the building will be rocking.

I expect a BIG night tonight from The C's.

[PosImpos]

Expect him to play around 10 minutes and not do a whole lot.


That said, I'm glad that he'll be back.