http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-nba-thunder-20120205,0,2586788.story?page=1This story understands how a guy like Perkins helps his team to success. A 31-8 regular season record for OKC since Perk joined their line up has to be 1)either the biggest fluke ever, or 2) that Perk provides the toughness and interior defense that this team needed to get over the hump.
Since his teammates seem to relish cult-like praise on the 6 ppg/rpg Perkins, I'm going to go with the latter reason why OKC has been so successful post Perkins trade. Some of the credit has to go to Nazr Mohammed, who has brought some or the same toughness to their second unit. The opposition doesn't get much of a break physically when Perk goes to the bench.
BTW, the Celtics are 27-22 in the regular season since trading Perkins.
Sam Presti has created a monster out in OKC, with the help of Danny Ainge. Already a strong Finals contender, the Thunder could use a backup PG now that they lost Maynor for the season. Kevin Durant is cementing his reputation as not only a great scorer, but a clutch time assassin.
Durant's also playing solid defense, as is the entire team (5th in FG% allowed, 6th in 3FG% allowed). They're 14th in points allowed, but play at a faster pace, which tend to allow a few more opposition possessions/points. OKC is giving up 6 less points per game this season over last, with the following improvements -from 45.8 to 42.2 in FG% allowed and 36.1 to 31.8 in 3FG% allowed. They're the same team personnel wise, except for no Green and the addition of Perk and Nazr.