Is this the defense Perkins brings with him?

[jsingh1699]

i watched some of this game during halftime of the celts game.

there were a couple times where okc was on offense and perk kept asking for the ball down low. westbrook just seemed to ignore him and either drove, passed to kd and let him do his own thing, or took an ill advised jumpshot.

i can see why krstic was frustrated and lacked motivation to play hard there.

[BballTim]

Perk was replaceable. He is not a "defensive monster". Anyone can look good playing alongside KG

  Did you follow the Celts before KG came? Because Perk was already a good defender.

[OsirusCeltics]

Perk was replaceable. He is not a "defensive monster". Anyone can look good playing alongside KG . . .

. . . or Serge Ibaka.

Sick dunk by Wade.  There isn't a player in the league who hasn't been posterized before, though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjmbeR0tSpU

Elgin Baylor posterized Bill Russell before. Still doesn't prove a point. Were the Celtics a defensive juggernat before KG came? No...

[Assassin70]

More importantly, OKC won the game 

yep, that's all that matters.

Indeed that is what Perk brought Miami still hasn't beaten a team this year with him on the roster.

[Chris]

I really think Perkins brought a new attitude that they need in OKC.  Sure, he can get dunked on, but they were a soft team, that really needed what Perk brings to the table, and I think his leadership is going to be very valuable.

Oh yeah, and Ibaka is an absolute beast.  I am not sure I like him that much next to Perkins, but he controlled the last few minutes of that game last night, with Perkins on the bench.

[Roy H.]

Oh yeah, and Ibaka is an absolute beast.  I am not sure I like him that much next to Perkins, but he controlled the last few minutes of that game last night, with Perkins on the bench.

What don't you like about him next to Perk?  Offense or defense?

Defensively, I like him next to Perk as sort of a "roamer".  He's quick enough to get out and defend the perimeter, sort of playing the KG role in OKC's defense (although he's not at KG's level, of course).

Offensively, neither guy is great, but Ibaka has begun to develop a pretty reliable jump shot, which helps with some of the "clogging the lane" concerns.

I like Perk next to Ibaka a lot more than I did Krstic.  I think that solid presence in the middle will allow Ibaka play to his strengths even more than he was before.

[Chris]

Oh yeah, and Ibaka is an absolute beast.  I am not sure I like him that much next to Perkins, but he controlled the last few minutes of that game last night, with Perkins on the bench.

What don't you like about him next to Perk?  Offense or defense?

Defensively, I like him next to Perk as sort of a "roamer".  He's quick enough to get out and defend the perimeter, sort of playing the KG role in OKC's defense (although he's not at KG's level, of course).

Offensively, neither guy is great, but Ibaka has begun to develop a pretty reliable jump shot, which helps with some of the "clogging the lane" concerns.

I like Perk next to Ibaka a lot more than I did Krstic.  I think that solid presence in the middle will allow Ibaka play to his strengths even more than he was before.

Offense.  I just think, before they are true contenders they need to find a true low post presence on offense, and right now, neither of them are that guy (at least not right now). 

And yes, I am nitpicking here.  Perk is a huge addition to them.  I just think they are another move away from taking the final step. 

[Chris]

I think this summer, their number 1 priority should be to find that offensive post threat to come off the bench.  Guys like Carl Landry or Glen Davis could be very valuable to take advantage of all the attention paid to the guys on the perimeter, and to open things up a bit more inside.

[Capricious]

Every shotblocker gets posterized.  You can't get posterized if you dont play d 

[Chris]

Every shotblocker gets posterized.  You can't get posterized if you dont play d 

You knew this was coming right?

[Fafnir]

I think this summer, their number 1 priority should be to find that offensive post threat to come off the bench.  Guys like Carl Landry or Glen Davis could be very valuable to take advantage of all the attention paid to the guys on the perimeter, and to open things up a bit more inside.

I think they're better off developing Serge Ibaka's offensive game.

Adding Glen Davis would be a nice depth move for a fourth big man. (Collison/Perkins/Ibaka ahead of him in the roation) But I don't think it'd do much more for them.

[Fafnir]

I'll also say that the biggest thing that is holding the Thunder back is how Westbrook/Durant play on the offensive end. If they're not getting to the free throw line their offense can get pretty stagnant.

James Harden's continued development is going to be key to making this work.

[Chris]

I think this summer, their number 1 priority should be to find that offensive post threat to come off the bench.  Guys like Carl Landry or Glen Davis could be very valuable to take advantage of all the attention paid to the guys on the perimeter, and to open things up a bit more inside.

I think they're better off developing Serge Ibaka's offensive game.

Adding Glen Davis would be a nice depth move for a fourth big man. (Collison/Perkins/Ibaka ahead of him in the roation) But I don't think it'd do much more for them.

Yeah, I think at this point, they are pretty much locked in to Ibaka/Perkins as their starting frontcourt (and that is definitely not a bad thing).  But, the one thing they are missing is that energy offensive big man off the bench.  Collison is a nice player, but he is not a guy who will score, and make defenses work inside. 

I'll also say that the biggest thing that is holding the Thunder back is how Westbrook/Durant play on the offensive end. If they're not getting to the free throw line their offense can get pretty stagnant.

James Harden's continued development is going to be key to making this work.

I agree completely.  I HATE the Westbrook/Durant combo.  I love them both individually, but I think together they are less than the sum of the parts.  Westbrook needs his own team, where he can be a true lead guard and not have to worry about getting another superstar the ball, and Durant needs a PG who can get him the ball. 

I still think there is so much talent between them, that they will be able to be very good together, but its still a bit of a misfit, and I am not that confident they will ever be able to climb the mountain together. 

[j804]

i watched some of this game during halftime of the celts game.

there were a couple times where okc was on offense and perk kept asking for the ball down low. westbrook just seemed to ignore him and either drove, passed to kd and let him do his own thing, or took an ill advised jumpshot.

i can see why krstic was frustrated and lacked motivation to play hard there.

I noticed this as well countless times

[CeltsAcumen]

So, your point is that anyone who is dunked on cannot be a good defensive player?

Wow, that must mean nobody in the NBA can actually play defense.

The libel of Perk just to prove that the Jeff Green trade was won by the Celtics is starting to get pathetic.

Pro-Jeff Green people:  Your point cannot be made until AFTER the playoffs.

Nobody cares what Jeff Green does against the Pacers on March 16th.