When will Perkins shift back into the Starting Lineup?

[Megatron]

Before or after the all-star break?

Its clear Shaq is either playing injured or is out of gas and needs rest. Doc has always said that Perk will start eventually.

I dont think anyone expected Perk to play THIS GOOD so fast, hes basically putting up numbers similar to last year before the injury, and hes played 27 minutes for two games in a row now. Its obvious hes going to start sometime soon, but when?

I predicted at first after the all-star break, but hes been playing so well and Shaq has been playing so bad I think doc might start him sooner.

[xmuscularghandix]

I don't 100% agree with him going back in, I understand why it makes sense... but i really like the way The C's can force the ball to Shaq early and get quick fouls on the opposing big men.

[LooseCannon]

I don't expect Shaq to play every game for the rest of the season.  So, Perk will probably start the next time Shaq has to miss a few games.  Unless he plays poorly, he can continue to start when Shaq returns.  That seems like the best way to transition from one to the other with a minimum of ego bruising.

[2short]

I don't 100% agree with him going back in, I understand why it makes sense... but i really like the way The C's can force the ball to Shaq early and get quick fouls on the opposing big men.

agreed, however shaq has been playing really bad lately and I think needs a day off
I'd like Perk to work slowly back into starting lineup, after all star break.  If shaq needs a day off, start semih until then.  (our running center)

[Cman]

I don't 100% agree with him going back in, I understand why it makes sense... but i really like the way The C's can force the ball to Shaq early and get quick fouls on the opposing big men.

Yeah, I completely agree. 
Also, there's that old saying "if it aint broke..."

[papa shuttlesworth]

I don't expect Shaq to play every game for the rest of the season.  So, Perk will probably start the next time Shaq has to miss a few games.  Unless he plays poorly, he can continue to start when Shaq returns.  That seems like the best way to transition from one to the other with a minimum of ego bruising.

This makes sense.

[rondohondo]

Shaq is clearly so much better with the starting lineup than he would be coming off the bench . I don't know why so many people are insisting Perk be in the starting lineup even if it weakens our team. Perk has already shown the ability to be effective off the bench this year and he will be getting the same amount of mins as if he started ( 25 min).

I HATE the idea of bringing Shaq in along with BBD as the backup C and PF. Perk helps baby out so much because he can guard the pick and roll and be a defensive presence and just add's an overall toughness to the bench . I like that combo much better than Shaq and BBD.

Shaq has already shown that he is very capable of fitting in with the starting unit, they open up things for Shaq to get easy buckets and he does the same thing for the big 4. They feed off of each other tremendously , Just look at the offensive numbers , they are the most efficient offense in the league and at least a little bit of credit has to go to Shaq for this. He has also helped Rondo raise his APG by 3 because he is able to catch lob passes from Rondo and finish, something Perk will never be able to do.

[Jon]

I tend to agree with RondoHondo.  Shaq's having a bad spell now, but he generally plays better with the starters.  Furthermore, I think Perk might be playing even better off the bench.  He's had a few double digit rebound games and he actually seems to have learned a few things from watching Shaq (like not to pump fake and dribble when you have an open dunk or layup).

At this point, I don't see any reason to change things.  And it's not like Shaq is playing 40 mpg.  So Perkins is getting his time with the starters too. 

[LooseCannon]

Shaq is clearly so much better with the starting lineup than he would be coming off the bench . I don't know why so many people are insisting Perk be in the starting lineup even if it weakens our team.

What if both Shaq and Perk are much better with the starting lineup?  From the long-term perspective it may be better to keep Perk coming off the bench if that will decrease the contract offers that the Celtics will have to consider matching when Perkins hits free agency.

[Surferdad]

I also agree with RondoHondo.  Shaq not only looks better with the starters, I think we've also seen that he doesn't seem to mesh well with the bench.  This is not the case for Perk so far in his return.  He's looked good with the bench players.  It may seem strange, but keeping Shaq as the starter may best the best use of him.

[billysan]

I like Shaq best with the starting unit.

If I am Doc, I suggest to Shaq that he take 3-4 games off in conjunction with the All-Star break to get over the little aches and pains and we let Perk start them with Semih as the backup. I tell Shaq that he will start again when he is back to full speed or close as long as it is working out well and we are winning. I explain to Perk that I am going to play him in crunch time, 4th qtr etc and that Shaq will get the starting nod when he is healthy out of respect and because it is working.


Then I pray that it works..... 

[wdleehi]

Have we seen Shaq coming off the bench this year? 


How do we know he isn't going to be productive off the bench?



Perk should start.  He is the better player at this point. 


Shaq becomes more dominant against the other teams backup bigs.  He gives the 2nd unit a stronger scorer.  They can dump the ball into Shaq.  (it will be more effective when West is back)

[bdm860]

I don't expect Shaq to play every game for the rest of the season.  So, Perk will probably start the next time Shaq has to miss a few games.  Unless he plays poorly, he can continue to start when Shaq returns.  That seems like the best way to transition from one to the other with a minimum of ego bruising.

This makes sense.

This is the way I figure it will happen too.

Either way though, no matter who starts, one of them will pick up 2 quick fouls right away anyways, and then the other one gets to go in.  So does it really matter if Shaq starts, or if Shaq comes in with 10:12 left in the 1st quarter (or vice versa).

[footey]

Soon. Also, when will give Semih more burn again? Seems like Perk has consumed all of his minutes. If Shaq continues to struggle, I would sit him more to get healthier, and give Semih some minutes.

[Chief]

Most players seem to look better playing with Rondo.