Perk is fitting in with the Thunder

[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?

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.

  I think that the opposite is frequently true. Most of the FA signings by the better teams are older players, as younger players generally choose more money, playing time and a bigger role in the offense over winning. Doc frequently says that one of the main reasons the big three did well together was they were older, if they were younger they wouldn't have been as wiling to sacrifice their games to the extent they'd need to to achieve what they did.

[Roy H.]

That's Perkins..he's a great supporting cast member, but he can't be 'the leader'.

One quibble, or at least add-on:  Perk wasn't *the* leader, but he was absolutely a leader.  From what I've read, he was very vocal in the locker room, and wasn't afraid to call guys out in the locker room.

[indeedproceed]

That's Perkins..he's a great supporting cast member, but he can't be 'the leader'.

One quibble, or at least add-on:  Perk wasn't *the* leader, but he was absolutely a leader.  From what I've read, he was very vocal in the locker room, and wasn't afraid to call guys out in the locker room.

One quibble: In the landmark miniseries Band Of Brothers, Sergeant Bull Randleman is 'a leader', however he is not 'the leader'. I'd expect most red-blooded, apple pie eating, down home cookin lovin' Americans to know that, so I only made the distinction that Perkins cannot be the top dog in the lockerroom.

[BballTim]

  One of the main reasons that Perk is fitting in so well is that his role hasn't changed at all and that role fills a position of need on the Thunder to a tee. Everyone that comes to the Celts are asked to do different things than they did in the past

[jv2764]

If its Denver and OKC in the first round its Denver.  OKC wont get out of the first round.

[Roy H.]

If its Denver and OKC in the first round its Denver.  OKC wont get out of the first round.

Maybe so.  However, they've played them twice in the past week and have beat them down pretty well.

[jv2764]

If its Denver and OKC in the first round its Denver.  OKC wont get out of the first round.

Maybe so.  However, they've played them twice in the past week and have beat them down pretty well.

Yup Perk is the difference.  insert sarcasm..

[indeedproceed]

If its Denver and OKC in the first round its Denver.  OKC wont get out of the first round.

Maybe so.  However, they've played them twice in the past week and have beat them down pretty well.

Yup Perk is the difference.  insert sarcasm..

The difference is that Denver just isn't that good. They over-achieved during the regular season, and they'll be exposed in the playoffs. I will bet anyone any number of Tommy Points to that effect.

[jv2764]

If its Denver and OKC in the first round its Denver.  OKC wont get out of the first round.

Maybe so.  However, they've played them twice in the past week and have beat them down pretty well.

Yup Perk is the difference.  insert sarcasm..

The difference is that Denver just isn't that good. They over-achieved during the regular season, and they'll be exposed in the playoffs. I will bet anyone any number of Tommy Points to that effect.

You're on man.  My 20 against your hundreds..

[aporel#18]

I'm happy for Perk, he deserves his money and his role with the Zombies.

That said, we better move on and accept the trade that happened back in february.

And while Krstic is not a top-notch defender, he's not that bad. He's not Perk, we all know that, but he's Nenad Krstic, a Celtic player. Our backup center, who will help the Celtics to win #18 this june.

Go Celtics!!!

[GreenFaith1819]

Well, I wish Perk the best (just not against us).

I suppose that we all will find out just how well Perk fits in tonight against LA.

I will be watching that game with a good amount of interest.

Perk's talking has certainly got the attention of Pau Gasol:

http://lakers.ocregister.com/2011/04/09/gasol-certain-players-talk-too-much/52223/

I guess it is with this game that the rubber meets the road. Time for Perk and OKC players to start cashing those checks that Perk has written with his comments.

What we have is a Laker team on a 4-game losing streak, and a young and hungry OKC team - determined to send a message.

[clover]

Perk's still my favorite Celtic of the last 25 years.

But he's also gone to Durant's team, and Durant may be the most likable non-Celtic in the last 25 years.  I'm not surprised they're getting along well.

[shookones99]

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.

hahahaha jeez dude.   Time to reel it in a bit with the analogies.   TP tho cuz i dont actually want u to reel it in

[Silent Storm]

You mean Perk fits in with their run and jump style of play? Interesting.

[indeedproceed]

You mean Perk fits in with their run and jump style of play? Interesting.

I've never heard anything characterized as 'run and jump'? What's it mean?