Perk is fitting in with the Thunder

[Roy H.]

For those who are sick of the Perk trade, just ignore this thread.  For those who care, HoopsWorld got some interesting quotes about how Perk is fitting in with the team:

It's always tough to bring a (new) guy in the middle of the season, because that changes the dynamics of your team," said Thunder coach Scott Brooks.  "I understand as a coach about bringing guys in; it's an emotional time for both.  You get rid of guys that you've kinda developed and have a relationship (with), but you're bringing in new guys, and you have to build a relationship.

"It's not easy, but it's part of the job that you have to deal with and integrate your players as quickly as possible with no excuses being accepted."

. . . "He's about winning, and he makes winning basketball plays.  He's not about scoring.  He's going to be able to get his points.  He's about defending, rebounding, communicating with the guys.  He's about setting picks (and) making the extra pass, so it's been an easier transition maybe than other trades in the middle of the season," explained Brooks.

. . . "Perk has that mentality that he doesn't like other teams," Brooks said.  "He's a throwback, and we like that.  We like the fact that he does not like 425 other NBA players."

Reservations about Perkins' known intensity clashing with the good-guy Thunder team have been laid to rest.  Two-time All-Star teammate, Kevin Durant, answered in the affirmative when HOOPSWORLD asked if it was safe to say Perkins officially fits in with this team.

"He adds another dimension; adds toughness in the paint, on the defensive end," Durant told us.  "He can finish around the rim.  He can throw it down some, too.  He's helping us out a lot."

"He's helping young guys like myself, Serge (Ibaka), Byron (Mullens)," he added.  "He's been like a leader to us."

Denver Nuggets coach George Karl has noticed.

"I think it's a [dang] good pick-up," Karl told us.  "(What) makes it really good is because of Ibaka.  I mean, Ibaka's coming (up in ranks) at the same moment as you bring in a stud.  You bring in a guy who can play 35-40 minutes on any big-time playoff game."

"He (Perkins) gives them a defensive presence that they didn't have," Karl continued.  "I think the combination of Ibaka moving in a good direction and him coming in....that's a strong play.  Defensively, it's a strong play."

Prior to Perkins coming on board, Ibaka averaged 9.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 65 games.  And remember, Ibaka was leaned on heavily during the nine post-trade games before Perkins was healthy.

Now check out Ibaka's stat line in the 14 games with Perkins: 11.6 ppg, 8.6 rpg and 3.1 bpg.  Ibaka appears to be flourishing in this new-look defensive unit.

Link.

In other words, our team is still searching for an "identity" (according to Doc), while the Thunder has found one.  Let's hope they can knock off the Lakers.

[soap07]

. "He's about winning, and he makes winning basketball plays.  He's not about scoring. 

This is the kind of stupid sports quote I hate more than anything. The vast majority of NBA players are about "winning" and most make "winning basketball plays". And then he throws in "He's not about scoring." as if players who are exceptional at scoring are not about making "winning basketball plays."

[Roy H.]

. "He's about winning, and he makes winning basketball plays.  He's not about scoring. 

This is the kind of stupid sports quote I hate more than anything. The vast majority of NBA players are about "winning" and most make "winning basketball plays". And then he throws in "He's not about scoring." as if players who are exceptional at scoring are not about making "winning basketball plays."

I think you're looking at it out of context.  Here's the quote again:

"He's about winning, and he makes winning basketball plays.  He's not about scoring.  He's going to be able to get his points.  He's about defending, rebounding, communicating with the guys.  He's about setting picks (and) making the extra pass, so it's been an easier transition maybe than other trades in the middle of the season," explained Brooks.

I think Brooks is saying that just because Perk isn't a scorer doesn't mean that he can't help a team win.  The things he cites -- defending, rebounding, communication (often overlooked), making the extra pass, setting picks -- are all things that help a team win, even when a player isn't scoring.

[BballTim]

. "He's about winning, and he makes winning basketball plays.  He's not about scoring. 

This is the kind of stupid sports quote I hate more than anything. The vast majority of NBA players are about "winning" and most make "winning basketball plays". And then he throws in "He's not about scoring." as if players who are exceptional at scoring are not about making "winning basketball plays."

  I don't see a problem with the quote. There are plenty of nba players that I would say aren't really about "winning", willing to sacrifice their numbers to help their teams be more successful. Who's more about winning, KG or Blatche?

[soap07]

. "He's about winning, and he makes winning basketball plays.  He's not about scoring.  

This is the kind of stupid sports quote I hate more than anything. The vast majority of NBA players are about "winning" and most make "winning basketball plays". And then he throws in "He's not about scoring." as if players who are exceptional at scoring are not about making "winning basketball plays."

I think you're looking at it out of context.  Here's the quote again:

"He's about winning, and he makes winning basketball plays.  He's not about scoring.  He's going to be able to get his points.  He's about defending, rebounding, communicating with the guys.  He's about setting picks (and) making the extra pass, so it's been an easier transition maybe than other trades in the middle of the season," explained Brooks.

I think Brooks is saying that just because Perk isn't a scorer doesn't mean that he can't help a team win.  The things he cites -- defending, rebounding, communication (often overlooked), making the extra pass, setting picks -- are all things that help a team win, even when a player isn't scoring.

Fair point.

[soap07]

. "He's about winning, and he makes winning basketball plays.  He's not about scoring. 

This is the kind of stupid sports quote I hate more than anything. The vast majority of NBA players are about "winning" and most make "winning basketball plays". And then he throws in "He's not about scoring." as if players who are exceptional at scoring are not about making "winning basketball plays."

  I don't see a problem with the quote. There are plenty of nba players that I would say aren't really about "winning", willing to sacrifice their numbers to help their teams be more successful. Who's more about winning, KG or Blatche?

I'll take issue with this - I did say vast majority. I think Blatche falls into that minority. I think the vast majority of NBA players realize that the best way for them to get paid and get extra exposure is to be on winning teams.

[GrandTheftRondo]

I'm not gonna lie, I hate that he fit in with the team so seamlessly. Like he'd been there from day one. Hard to swallow and I'm a bit jealous but I am glad that the situation turned out good for him. He seems comfortable when I watch him on the court with OKC and has clearly taken on a leadership role from what I've seen of him on the bench or in huddles so at least something good came from this trade for somebody.

[pearljammer10]

Is it any coincidence that Perk gets traded to the Thunder, and the Thunder now have a great swagger and a defensive intimidation that is going to make them scary to play in the playoffs? I could see them getting to the finals... Man, I miss Perk.

[Prof. Clutch]

No surprise here.  We know from having him all these years, Perk is the kind of hard working player that any team would love to have.

I'm very happy for him that he's fitting in so nicely.

[LB3533]

It doesn't surprise me that it was so "easy" to have Perk fit in with the Thunder.

It also doesn't surprise me that it is taking a while to have our new guys adjust: Kristic, a bench warmer before, and now being asked to be a spot starter and rotation player....as well as Green who was a starter and now asked to be a bench guy.

To me, it is much more easier to have a player play his role, one that he is used to than to have 2 guys play roles that they aren't used to and then still expect to produce and win games.

It's a lot to ask of for new players.

[Roy H.]

It doesn't surprise me that it was so "easy" to have Perk fit in with the Thunder.

It also doesn't surprise me that it is taking a while to have our new guys adjust: Kristic, a bench warmer before, and now being asked to be a spot starter and rotation player....as well as Green who was a starter and now asked to be a bench guy.

To me, it is much more easier to have a player play his role, one that he is used to than to have 2 guys play roles that they aren't used to and then still expect to produce and win games.

It's a lot to ask of for new players.

For whatever it's worth, Krstic wasn't a bench warmer.  He was the Thunder's starting center.  It's hard to believe, I know, but Krstic doesn't have the "he wasn't playing" excuse.  He's just not a very good defender or rebounder.

[j804]

Is it any coincidence that Perk gets traded to the Thunder, and the Thunder now have a great swagger and a defensive intimidation that is going to make them scary to play in the playoffs?

No it's further proof the trade was a epic fail on Danny's part

[Celtics18]

Kendrick's a great guy, and I'm very happy for him that he's making friends so easily with his new teammates.  

I'd love to see that Thunder team get through the West.  It would certainly be a Cinderella story if they could pull it off.

[vinnie]

It doesn't surprise me that it was so "easy" to have Perk fit in with the Thunder.

It also doesn't surprise me that it is taking a while to have our new guys adjust: Kristic, a bench warmer before, and now being asked to be a spot starter and rotation player....as well as Green who was a starter and now asked to be a bench guy.

To me, it is much more easier to have a player play his role, one that he is used to than to have 2 guys play roles that they aren't used to and then still expect to produce and win games.

It's a lot to ask of for new players.

It is a lot to ask of new players, which is why you don't make trades like this two-thirds through the season in which your team has the number one seed in the east.

[indeedproceed]

It doesn't surprise me that it was so "easy" to have Perk fit in with the Thunder.

It also doesn't surprise me that it is taking a while to have our new guys adjust: Kristic, a bench warmer before, and now being asked to be a spot starter and rotation player....as well as Green who was a starter and now asked to be a bench guy.

To me, it is much more easier to have a player play his role, one that he is used to than to have 2 guys play roles that they aren't used to and then still expect to produce and win games.

It's a lot to ask of for new players.

I agree with your point but I think you're misreading why Green/Krstic aren't fitting in.

Chemistry-wise, Perkins fits in because he's being asked to be the same guy he was in Boston, only more so. Perkins is like this guy from Band Of Brothers:



He's no major or general, but Sergeant Bull Randleman is good for two things..keepin the troops in line and killin Nazis. That's Perkins..he's a great supporting cast member, but he can't be 'the leader'.

Krstic and Green have never been leaders, and we're not asking them to be leaders here, so I don't see the issue.

Actual Roles:

Perkins fits in with OKC, because his role as you say, is the same, and even plays more into his skillset. He's a tough rebounder and defensive anchor. They're not asking him to slow-gather his way into their hearts, they're asking him to play good defense on the P&R, and take the burden off of Ibaka in the defensive paint so Ibaka can go running around blocking shots like he does.

In Boston, Jeff Green doesn't really have a 'role' beyond 'come off the bench, and..do something'. Doc has said when asked about how to use Green "I really haven't figured out how to use him yet", and even during a game, when green wasn't scoring or producting particularly well as a player, Doc said to him as he took him out "Whatever you're doing, keep doing it", as it was clear that Green had sparked the run the Celtics had gone on. Doc will figure him out, but hasn't yet.

Krstic started all 47 games he played in for the Thunder this year, so he was hardly a 'bench warmer' Krstic though was traded to us because he couldn't do some of the very things we're asking him to do (be a tough defensive anchor and rebound). In that regard, he's playing in a poor role as well.