Perkins needs to stop talking.

[CelticG1]

To have him locked up along with their core of stars is a going to be a real asset in having this team grow together. 

Yes, if everybody else on the team plays well, Perk won't be a major problem.  But for all the talk of Perk's toughness and defense, he's essentially Erick Dampier so far through his career when it comes to on-court production.

Mike

Perk on the other hand fits in very well with that they need at that position, and he will only get better as he continues to recover.  

I think this remains to be seen. In theory his "toughness" and "leadership" may help but I don't know if we've seen that yet. Also as a semi long term building block I think Perk is a pretty big gamble even without his most recent injuries but those injuries certainly magnify that

Why is he such a big gamble, when they already have their core in place?  You aren't going to get a better player for less money.  And while he has dealt with some injuries, he also has returned incredibly quickly from all of them, and has missed very few games. 

I just don't see how he fits on that team at all.

[Chris]

To have him locked up along with their core of stars is a going to be a real asset in having this team grow together. 

Yes, if everybody else on the team plays well, Perk won't be a major problem.  But for all the talk of Perk's toughness and defense, he's essentially Erick Dampier so far through his career when it comes to on-court production.

Mike

Perk on the other hand fits in very well with that they need at that position, and he will only get better as he continues to recover.  

I think this remains to be seen. In theory his "toughness" and "leadership" may help but I don't know if we've seen that yet. Also as a semi long term building block I think Perk is a pretty big gamble even without his most recent injuries but those injuries certainly magnify that

Why is he such a big gamble, when they already have their core in place?  You aren't going to get a better player for less money.  And while he has dealt with some injuries, he also has returned incredibly quickly from all of them, and has missed very few games. 

I just don't see how he fits on that team at all.

Why?  He plays defense, rebounds, sets picks, and stays out of the way.  Yes, they need more out of Ibaka, but I don't think they could ask for a better fit at center than Perkins.

[2short]

if perk can start averaging 10 rebounds or more a game and play his defense and block whatever his career average is for okc than he will be a good fit
his rebounding numbers so far in his career hurt if he can't help a team in other ways

[Potapenko Boxout]

love his work ethic but he'd be 3rd string center behind the oneills

can we just kick this guy out

[Who]

hidden amongst his gems are a rough quote he gave when injured and shaq and the big 4 were tearing up the league
"i'm the starter"

love his work ethic but he'd be 3rd string center behind the oneills

I find that just amazing.  Shaq and JO are on the verge of retirement, yet Perkins would be third string behind them?

Folks just want to bash Perkins. 

Not bashing him just realistic, yes they are on the verge of retiring and maybe best for team if perk started.  But no way can perk play the all around game that jermaine can.  As far as shaq you can't see he didn't look like a near all star at beginning of year.
think of it this way age isn't an issue and all three guys are trying out for a team, usa basketball lets say...would perk be the first center? nope

I disagree, I thought Perk, when healthy (which he isn't at the moment), was superior to both of those players.

I think Perk and Shaq is a close call but I'd always choose the defensive center over the offensive center when things are close like that.

And Jermaine, I think is an over-rated defender (good but not great) + a poor rebounder + a hugely over-rated offensive threat. Perk brings a real physical presence to a team defensively. Real toughness. Something Jermaine has never brought to any of his teams.

[Who]

But I also bet Sam's just a little nervous to see Perk's recovery from surgery continue next year--and for him to see that Perk will be able to contribute at a higher level over the next four years.

Definitely -- if Perk can't recover, that contract is going to be very bad for OKC.

I hope he does, it would be a shame to see his career ruined by injuries.

Hate seeing that happen to players ... especially a guy like Perk who has worked so hard.

[MBunge]

To have him locked up along with their core of stars is a going to be a real asset in having this team grow together. 

Yes, if everybody else on the team plays well, Perk won't be a major problem.  But for all the talk of Perk's toughness and defense, he's essentially Erick Dampier so far through his career when it comes to on-court production.

Mike

Well, in his prime, Dampier was a very good center, and Perk is a significantly better defensive player.  

That "prime" consisted of one season with Golden State where Dampier put up 12 and 12 in 32 minutes a game.  Outside of that, he has only 2 other seasons where he averaged more than 8 rebounds a game and only 5 other seasons where he averaged more than 8 points a game.

Mike

[Vermont Green]

Perk shouldn't be talking.  Talking isn't toughness.  Nick Collison is outplaying him (although not out talking him).  I suspect OKC wishes they still had Krstic and Green; they would be more help against Dallas.

[Change]

This is a good time for Perk to fallback. The talk about him being a leader has gotten into his head. He overstepped his boundary one too many times in his short time in OKC. Case in point Game3 Perk calling a spontaneous timeout. Perk fallback get in line and shut up.

[CelticG1]

This is a good time for Perk to fallback. The talk about him being a leader has gotten into his head. He overstepped his boundary one too many times in his short time in OKC. Case in point Game3 Perk calling a spontaneous timeout. Perk fallback get in line and shut up.

That time out was....strange. I don't remember seeing a player do that in a situation like that ever. At least not off the top of my head.

Perk is still a pretty young guy too it's not like KG doing it (even that would still be pretty strange). Imagine the backlash Rondo would get if he pulled something like that.

[bbd24]

But I also bet Sam's just a little nervous to see Perk's recovery from surgery continue next year--and for him to see that Perk will be able to contribute at a higher level over the next four years.

Definitely -- if Perk can't recover, that contract is going to be very bad for OKC.

I hope he does, it would be a shame to see his career ruined by injuries.

Hate seeing that happen to players ... especially a guy like Perk who has worked so hard.

That contract is already bad based on what you get out of the player.  He could never live up to that type of money.  He doesn't do enough out on the floor.

How do you even take the gamble though ?  How many 285 lb plus players come back from that type of injury ?

There is no example.  They all haven't come back to be the player they were before.  I doubt Perkins is any different from the rest.

[jdz101]

Interesting discussion so far...what about the gasol comments? Justified for a player who plays a similar position?

[BballTim]

if perk can start averaging 10 rebounds or more a game and play his defense and block whatever his career average is for okc than he will be a good fit
his rebounding numbers so far in his career hurt if he can't help a team in other ways

  Perk and KG have virtually identical rebounding numbers for the Celts since KG joined the team. Perk is and has always been a good rebounder. Not the best, but definitely above average.

[SHAQATTACK]

To have him locked up along with their core of stars is a going to be a real asset in having this team grow together. 

Yes, if everybody else on the team plays well, Perk won't be a major problem.  But for all the talk of Perk's toughness and defense, he's essentially Erick Dampier so far through his career when it comes to on-court production.

Mike

Perk on the other hand fits in very well with that they need at that position, and he will only get better as he continues to recover.  

I think this remains to be seen. In theory his "toughness" and "leadership" may help but I don't know if we've seen that yet. Also as a semi long term building block I think Perk is a pretty big gamble even without his most recent injuries but those injuries certainly magnify that

Why is he such a big gamble, when they already have their core in place?  You aren't going to get a better player for less money.  And while he has dealt with some injuries, he also has returned incredibly quickly from all of them, and has missed very few games. 

I just don't see how he fits on that team at all.

I agree...he is like a third heel ...I think the thing OKC wanted most was to somehow "DUMP" GREEN, so to give the fulltime job and minutes to HARDIN .   or an excuse to move Green out of the way, as Hardin seems to be the better player.  Also , to get rid of an expensive young player (Green) , so that when the time comes all the other young superstars get signed.

Anyway ...I now believe Perk had little value to DA, and was dead weight to be moved to work a deal that helped get the C's a backup for PP and open the door for HArdin to take over full time. 

Right now all Perk has is "TALK" , and thats one of things I liked about him . He brings a tude.

[greenpride32]

if perk can start averaging 10 rebounds or more a game and play his defense and block whatever his career average is for okc than he will be a good fit
his rebounding numbers so far in his career hurt if he can't help a team in other ways

  Perk and KG have virtually identical rebounding numbers for the Celts since KG joined the team. Perk is and has always been a good rebounder. Not the best, but definitely above average.

KG's best rebounding days were way behind him by the time he joined the C's.  So you're comparing an old KG to a Perk in his prime.  Also Perk is not good or even above average.  He's just average.  You've got the top rebouding small forwards getting 6-8/game and the top guards getting 5-6/game.  Perk doesn't have the athleticism to "steal" rebounds from other players, which is what the good rebounders can do.