perkins return (Tonight vs Cavs!)

[Rondo9dunx]

Wow, what an awesome surprise. Had not seen anything about the game or perkins return until a few minutes ago I turned on sportscenter at just the right time.


PERK IS BACK BABY!! MWAHAHAHA

Let the dominance begin. Perfect game to bring him back too as he wasn't needed so there was no pressure.

Very, very excited about this. Hope perk gets back to starting very soon!!!!

Shaq can sit on the bench and come out to play his role. He needs the rest more than perk does (once perk is really back and adjusted anyways, still a few weeks off i'm sure)

[FLCeltsFan]

Let the Perk/Shaq starting debate commence!

I'm personally going with Shaq.  I don't necessarily think he should finish games, but I love the ability for that first unit to come out to a quick start with 5 scorers.  You lose that with Perk. 

Maybe Shaq starts every quarter and Perk finishes it (though that may be problematic, given that Perk can't hit a free throw either).  It'd be nice if JO could get healthy, as he can hit a free throw (like BBD), but has Perk/Shaq size. 

For this to work Perk must start... he ALWAYS mentions it being his job. It's simple really, KP starts or TROUBLE... Shaq better come off and be happy. I believe in Shaq (my hubby)... he may not get it together 4 a bit when cominf off but he will figure it out.

Doc has said all along that Perk is the starter.  After his first practice he said that it was good to have their real starting 5 back.  Shaq knew when he signed that Perk is the starter and Doc has never wavered from that. 

[FLCeltsFan]

PERK PERK PERK PERK I gave him a standing ovation in my house

TP.  I gave him a standing ovation at my house too.  I had goosebumps all over when he came into the game.  I love Perk and it was so good to see the big guy back!!  And he looked great!

[barefacedmonk]

Perk's line of the night: "I was trying to get a tech to show everybody I was back

Perk: "I felt real good but I thought I could do more. I'm mad I didn't block any shots. I couldn't sleep last night. I couldn't wait."

http://twitter.com/celtics

Gotta love Perk!

[rsan]

I think if Perk would have gotten a T the entire garden would have cheered lol

[get_banners]

This is really a testament to Perk's hard work. It hasn't even been 7 months since he tore the knee up. To be back so soon means he busted his butt in rehab. He also seems to be pretty confident in his knee, which is always a concern for players coming back from ACL tears. This'll give him a few months to get back into shape and be ready for the postseason. Awesome, awesome development.

[KG Living Legend]

 Best thing about Boston and New England in general,    Hands down is the people.
 
 Really awesome to see.
 
 Full strength now with the bigs J.O. dosen't count.

 Perk, Shaq, Semih, Kevin, Baby, and now Gody.

 Six bigs for the playoffs, and four of them are 7 footers. Perk is 6'10" with a 7'5" wingspan I believe. That's about as long as humans get.
 

[j804]

Let the Perk/Shaq starting debate commence!

I'm personally going with Shaq.  I don't necessarily think he should finish games, but I love the ability for that first unit to come out to a quick start with 5 scorers.  You lose that with Perk.  

Maybe Shaq starts every quarter and Perk finishes it (though that may be problematic, given that Perk can't hit a free throw either).  It'd be nice if JO could get healthy, as he can hit a free throw (like BBD), but has Perk/Shaq size.  

For this to work Perk must start... he ALWAYS mentions it being his job. It's simple really, KP starts or TROUBLE... Shaq better come off and be happy. I believe in Shaq (my hubby)... he may not get it together 4 a bit when cominf off but he will figure it out.

Doc has said all along that Perk is the starter.  After his first practice he said that it was good to have their real starting 5 back.  Shaq knew when he signed that Perk is the starter and Doc has never wavered from that.  

I thought when asked about it, he said Perk will have to work to gain it back or something like that...

Anyway Perk looked really really great and I'm stoked. I mean it's amazing how he looks like he never even had surgery in his first game back. Let that soak in for a while. No limp, not hesitant, or afraid to contest shots avoid contact bumping bodies etc..

[Drucci]

I didn't have the time to watch the game but I would have tried to watch it had I know that Perk was coming back! Glad to see he got a deserved standing ovation and looked good physically, welcome back Perk!!

[Jon]

Let the Perk/Shaq starting debate commence!

I'm personally going with Shaq.  I don't necessarily think he should finish games, but I love the ability for that first unit to come out to a quick start with 5 scorers.  You lose that with Perk.  

Maybe Shaq starts every quarter and Perk finishes it (though that may be problematic, given that Perk can't hit a free throw either).  It'd be nice if JO could get healthy, as he can hit a free throw (like BBD), but has Perk/Shaq size.  

For this to work Perk must start... he ALWAYS mentions it being his job. It's simple really, KP starts or TROUBLE... Shaq better come off and be happy. I believe in Shaq (my hubby)... he may not get it together 4 a bit when cominf off but he will figure it out.

Doc has said all along that Perk is the starter.  After his first practice he said that it was good to have their real starting 5 back.  Shaq knew when he signed that Perk is the starter and Doc has never wavered from that.  

I thought when asked about it, he said Perk will have to work to gain it back or something like that...

Anyway Perk looked really really great and I'm stoked. I mean it's amazing how he looks like he never even had surgery in his first game back. Let that soak in for a while. No limp, not hesitant, or afraid to contest shots avoid contact bumping bodies etc..

Doc also said Jermaine O'Neal was the starter, and then before he even hurt himself, he was practicing with the second unit. 

I think logistically it works better with Shaq starting.  The C's have had their best starts in years with Shaq out there.  That likely won't happen with Perk. 

Then you can let Perk finish games. 

As Red said, it matters who finishes games. 

Furthermore, if Kevin McHale can come off the bench, Perk can deal with it.  After all, it's not like Doc would be asking him to backup Brian Scalabrine; he'd be backing up one of the greatest players of all time. 

[Fafnir]

What?

I think logistically it works better with Shaq starting.  The C's have had their best starts in years with Shaq out there.  That likely won't happen with Perk.

The Celtcs had just as good of starts each of the last three years with Perkins out there.

[Jon]

What?

I think logistically it works better with Shaq starting.  The C's have had their best starts in years with Shaq out there.  That likely won't happen with Perk.

The Celtcs had just as good of starts each of the last three years with Perkins out there.

I was referring to starts of the games, not the season. 

By this I mean they can come out and score a lot of points early (with Shaq) and then worry about holding the lead (with Perk). 

Plus, I think a lot of Shaq's effectiveness is due to the fact that he plays with the starters.  I don't think he's going to do a heck of a lot more offensively than Perk if teams start double teaming him. 

I don't see Perk suffering either way. 

[celtics2]

Now that's what I'm talking about. Perk evidently has been keeping in shape physically and mentally. He's back for sure. Now the League has something to worry about. 6 BIG guys and more options off the bench. Continue to give Erden time and let Shaq cool it.Perk got off to a bad start as a rookie with refs trying to reign him in. He was monstrous tough. He has modified his game some but would say most opponent centers don't feel comfortable with him out there. Half season is over. Now I can barely see a Banner at the end of a long tunnel. Another half and then the real Season. Looks fun.

[celtics2]

No doubt Shaq should start. Really limit his minutes and not start every game. Just need to keep the rust off him. Let Erden, Perk and Davis do the heavy lifting for the rest of the season.

[barefacedmonk]

Doc has said all along that Perk is the starter.  After his first practice he said that it was good to have their real starting 5 back.  Shaq knew when he signed that Perk is the starter and Doc has never wavered from that. 

You're right, FL.

Rivers said he isn't sure when Perkins will return to the starting lineup, but he reiterated on Thursday that it was going to happen.

"He's going to re-enter it. It's just a matter of when," Rivers said. "Perk's a starter, and he'll be a starter at some point. I like our starting lineup with him in it. I like our bench with Baby and Shaq. I think that's terrific."

http://www.csnne.com/01/28/11/Rivers-finds-it-hard-to-take-Perkins-off/landing_celtics.html?blockID=399401&feedID=3352