Jermaine right now is better that Perk

[SCBirdman]

JO's a 6-time All-Star who'll play more minutes than Perk would have, but trade doubters would point out how strong the C's would be if we had both of them for the run.

Well...  yeah!  JO's playing great ball, a lot better than I think any of us thought he's ever be able to play again, but he's still only on the floor for ~25 minutes a game.  To have Perk out there manning the middle the rest of the time instead of BBD or Krstic, I mean... c'mon, no one can tell me that wouldn't be phenomenal.

I hear you, that was my point. 

But JO was up to 27 minutes last night and I bet he'd play 30+ through the next series, then ratchet up his minutes again at each further level.  Perk may never have gone for more than about 25 minutes in the playoffs, but I bet JO will.

The question at this point isn't would they be better if they also had Perk, because it sure looks like they would, but rather do they have enough to win?  Which we'll see.

Hopefully Shaq gives us 15-20 per game from the next series on. Couple that with 20-25 minutes for JO and We will be much better than the ESPN talking heads have predicted.

No Shaq, and its questionable. Hell, our entire bench has stage fright right now.

Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. is wrong with Delonte? Dude acts like he has never been in the playoffs before. Same for Jeff Green. At least he is scoring some points. Doc may need to play Sasha or Von with the bench to generate some offense.

[4THQTR]

I love the shot blocking!!! Not one of Perks stronger suites.

Blocking shots is good. It gets overrated though.  Amar'e gets a good number of blocks, but nobody is confusing him as a great defender.

Sometimes maintaining good position and altering a shot is just as good if not better.

Yes but the difference is that JO's blocks usually result in the ball falling into our hands and then leading to a fastbreak opportunity while Stoudemire (or Dwight Howard in that regard)'s blocks go out of bounds and are just highlights reel.

Yeah. One NBA legend, I think it was Abdul-Jabbar Bill Russell, said that when you block the shot, get the ball and don't throw it out of bounds! TP for the one who reminds me who said that.

Fixed

Alright, thanks. TP for ya. Any video?

That may have been the easiest TP in the history ot TP's.  Thanks.

Sorry though, I'm not great at posting videos(it takes me half a day to get it right).

Just find the link, and copy & paste it and post.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy1y7-mUCTo

[timpiker]

knock on wood, but so far, he's playing pretty well....especially shot blocks.....  I would appreciate a few more rebounds but mostly - I just want him to stay healthy.  I think Doc needs to get Nenad more time and touches because we will need him and he does not look comfortable at all.  In fact, I think when both big men start the game or come in, they need to be fed a couple of passes to get them in the game.  used to do that with Perk........

[moiso]

Rondo had as many rebounds last night as JO has had in the entire series.  Not cool.  JO looks like he is playing well but we will need a lot more production from him if we are going to win the title.

[4THQTR]

What amazes me is his ability to both block shots and take charges...
As nice as the blocked shots are, I'm even more excited about his great positioning on the floor...
I'd still still rather have Perk against Howard or the Lakers (and maybe even the Bulls), but JO has been nothing short of fantastic so far in the playoffs...
Hope he can keep it up!

[celticinorlando]

IF IF shaq can give us anything in the next series...it would be mighty big. JO seems to be comfortable in all areas right now...but really..against the heat..it is all about rondo

[clover]

JO's a 6-time All-Star who'll play more minutes than Perk would have, but trade doubters would point out how strong the C's would be if we had both of them for the run.

Well...  yeah!  JO's playing great ball, a lot better than I think any of us thought he's ever be able to play again, but he's still only on the floor for ~25 minutes a game.  To have Perk out there manning the middle the rest of the time instead of BBD or Krstic, I mean... c'mon, no one can tell me that wouldn't be phenomenal.

I hear you, that was my point. 

But JO was up to 27 minutes last night and I bet he'd play 30+ through the next series, then ratchet up his minutes again at each further level.  Perk may never have gone for more than about 25 minutes in the playoffs, but I bet JO will.

The question at this point isn't would they be better if they also had Perk, because it sure looks like they would, but rather do they have enough to win?  Which we'll see.

Hopefully Shaq gives us 15-20 per game from the next series on. Couple that with 20-25 minutes for JO and We will be much better than the ESPN talking heads have predicted.

No Shaq, and its questionable. Hell, our entire bench has stage fright right now.

**** is wrong with Delonte? Dude acts like he has never been in the playoffs before. Same for Jeff Green. At least he is scoring some points. Doc may need to play Sasha or Von with the bench to generate some offense.

I'll be shocked if Shaq can contribute that.  Chris Forsberg reported seeing him limping at the shootaround in NY.

And I agree, DW is a worry.  Though we'll see many minutes from Rondo I'm sure, if DW's too hurt Doc may have to reach deeper into his bench than he'd like to.

[clover]

knock on wood, but so far, he's playing pretty well....especially shot blocks.....  I would appreciate a few more rebounds but mostly - I just want him to stay healthy.  I think Doc needs to get Nenad more time and touches because we will need him and he does not look comfortable at all.  In fact, I think when both big men start the game or come in, they need to be fed a couple of passes to get them in the game.  used to do that with Perk........

Let's hope they close it out in four, so Doc will have almost a week of practice to come up with a more successful approach to the bench.  Nenad is certainly capable of doing more, I think he was playing tougher, at least, last night.  I also hope some time off will help DW to heal up and sharpen up some too.

[Ersatz]

I think JO needs to continue to start and Shaq should come off the bench for the first few games.

Agreed. If Shaq does actually play in the playoffs, he would give a huge boost to that second unit. His presence in the middle should open things up for Green and Delonte on the offensive end, and if he's paired with Davis, Green gets to play the 3 exclusively. Ten minutes of Shaq with the bench would do wonders, I think.

[jdz101]

Not particularly hard to be better skill wise than perk.

[Phil125]

I love what JO is doing but we need shaq back for atleast 15 minutes a game to get number 18. 

[snively]

JO's been Perk's equal in team defense (even a little quicker), and his little baseline J has been a nice plus.  Perk's a much better rebounder though.

[hpantazo]

JO's been Perk's equal in team defense (even a little quicker), and his little baseline J has been a nice plus.  Perk's a much better rebounder though.

I agree, but Perk also throws away a good amount of the rebounds he grabs, and also creates a lot of turnovers with moving picks. JO is a better fit with the starters right now. I think Shaq will be ready for round 2, and Green looked more comfortable and aggressive last game. We just need to get DWest back to being himself and we're all set.

[Celticsfan336]

You guys are all whacked. Shaq will play during the playoffs. Why would they rush him back, hell, everything is speculation. That is what the media is! Why would the Celtics play him Sunday, or even in game 5? Pointless, let the big fella rest for when we need him most. After we get the brooms out Sunday, hopefully 76ers steal one from the Heat just to give us a little more rest, but if not that is okay. Shaq will be playing in that series regardless. Don't expect him to play 30 minutes, but I wouldnt be surprised if he plays 20+ in select games.

And, with the way J'Oneal has been playing, why rush Shaq back? He is 38 years old, 7 + feet, 300+. Let him rest, and when we NEED him he will play.

Another thing, people act as if Shaq is going to act like 1990 shaq, all he is going to give us is size, and another option under the hoop. He is exactly what this team needs, and he will not disapoint when he is healthy.

[Spicoli]

I've watched Perk very closely over these past few years, and i have to say, he was an average player IMO. Definitely a starter in this league, but still an average player who didn't do anything exceptionally well. His offense was horrible (i cringe everytime he gets the ball on the block), he has no vision and cannot pass, he is too slow to finish underneath the hoop, he is not a great rebounder, and the only centers that he plays well against are Bynum and Howard. Any guy with a finesse game killed Perk (Lopez, Bogut, etc).

I like Jermaine a lot when he's healthy. I remember how dominant he was defensively while in Indiana. I mean, he was no prime Zo but he was still REALLY good on that end. Jermaine has lost his offensive game, but his weak side shot blocking is still top notch. I think Perk and Jermaine are almost wash (Perk would probably give a couple more hard fouls and clean up the glass a little better).