FLCeltsFan's Celtic Thunder: 2013

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Today's Boston Celtics Links 10/6

Herald Gerald Wallace puts his Sox on
Ainge drills home point on Stevens
Derrick Rose returns in exhibition opener
Globe Player roles, playing time all up in the air for Celtics
CelticsGreen Camp Priorities
Practice Report for October 5
One on One with Kelly Olynyk
CelticsBlog CelticsBlog Mailbag: Preseason Edition
Rajon Rondo and Brad Stevens on the same page so far
Brad Stevens will take his time tinkering with lineups
ESPN Doc: Never wanted Jordan trade
Practice: Stevens, Wallace rooting for Sox
Bedtime story: Stevens focused on sleep
Doc Rivers claims he didn't want DeAndre Jordan traded for Kevin Garnett

Perk Grabs 6 Rebounds in 11 Minutes but Dislocates Finger

Perk was aggressive in going to the boards in the Thunder's first preseason game, but he dislocated his finger in the first half and didn't return in the second half. Perk is tough. A little dislocated finger won't stop him, but the Turkish player who witnessed it might not be the same.

Oh, and, after a slow start, the Thunder won the game 95-82. Next game will be on Tuedsay at 3:00 PM ET vs the Philadelphia 76ers. Hopefully Perk will be good to go by that time.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Today's Boston Celtics Links 10/3

Herald Brad Stevens more than stat geek
With new staff, it’s all in details
LeBron tops NBA's global jersey sales list
NBA set for ambitious international schedule
Globe Colton Iverson’s journey back to NBA starts in Turkey
CelticsGreen ESPN Rank: #158 Brandon Bass Profile
Celtics Minute with Emily Austen October 2
Training Camp Update Day 2 (Video and Photos)
CelticsBlog Rondo working closely with Ron Adams on his shooting
Celtics vets look to fill void
Jeff Green's expanding offensive role
The point is there is no point: what the Celtics offense could look like next season
Repeat after me, the Celtics are not tanking

Perk and the Thunder on their way to Turkey. Looking forward to watching them play on Saturday Morning. The game will be televised at 9:00 AM ET on NBA-TV.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Today's Boston Celtics Links 10/2

Herald Celtics players assess their new coach
Stevens rates his first day of Celtics practice
Vitor Faverani earns solid reviews
Russell Westbrook out to start season
Celtics hold workout at Salve Regina College
Notebook: Quick practices part of process
Brad Stevens sizes up Celtics
Globe Avery Bradley focuses on point guard role during training camp
Jared Sullinger impresses on Celtics' first day of training camp
Celtics’ Jared Sullinger pleasantly surprised in return -
Revamped Celtics are off to a good start
Sullinger is happy to be back on court
Heeding Kevin Garnett’s advice, Celtics’ Jeff Green looks to remain aggressive

Today's Boston Celtics Links 9/29

Herald   Heat signs Spoelstra to multiyear extension
Globe Sunday Mail: Bogaerts vs. Middlebrooks, Celtics forecast, and Boston's next statue
All eyes on new Celtics coach Brad Stevens
CelticsBlog Training camp invites - who has a chance to make the cut?
What's a Jordan Crawford?
Lex Nihil Novi Even World Champion Bulls are Talkin' Pitino
Russell v. Chamberlain: Game 35 (The Big Dipper Drops 52, Loses Again)

Red's Army Celtkicks: Yoanty meets The Klynyk
Your Morning Dump… Where Doc Rivers says the Lakers are “the best franchise in sports history”
Celtics Hub Weekend Notebook: High Praise for Avery Bradley, Power Rankings and New Radio Station
CelticsLife    What the Hell Happened to...Frankie Sanders?
Karl on the Kayak-Why I think the Celtics won't be that much worse than last year
Press Herald   On Basketball: Everything's good for the Red Claws' coach
Telegram Of years of love, and a long goodbye
Yahoo Coach Doc Rivers invigorated by opportunity to turn the Clippers into champions

Friday, September 27, 2013

Today's Boston Celtics Links 9/27

Herald Celts coach Stevens points to Bradley in Rondo's absence
Brad Stevens says Avery Bradley’s on point
Globe Celtics' Bass takes swimming lessons with kids
Boston Celtic Brandon Bass learns to swim
It's official: Celtics heading to The Sports Hub
CelticsGreen It's Official - Celtics Have a New Radio Home
ESPN Rank: #224 Courtney Lee Profile
ESPN Rank: #220 MarShon Brooks Profile
Rondo's on Pins and Needles Waiting to Get Back on the Court
CelticsBlog What should we expect from Phil Pressey this season?
ESPN Stevens: Rondo not cleared for all activities
Green gets fan to trash Heat gear
C's finalize radio deal with 98.5 Sports Hub
Green means go time
College coaches think Stevens will succeed
Bass sticks his toe in the water

Sam Presti has gotten some questions about Kendrick Perkins recently. Some Thunder fans wanted the team to use their amnesty provision on him this summer. But Presti is a very smart man and is standing by Perk. He knows that stats aren't the only thing that determine the importance of a player on the court.

“He’s going to impact our team in other ways as well {as remaining an elite post defender). You know, it’s always hard to answer those questions without sounding defensive other than to say that Perk’s a part of the success we’ve had here. He’s an important member of the team. We expect him to fulfill the role that he’s given and contribute.” “Obviously, he has high standards for himself and he expressed that at the end of last season. He makes up part of the group, part of that continuity that’s been around for quite some time and been a part of some of the best teams that we’ve had here."

Perk is one of the hardest workers in the NBA and I know that he will come back this season and be a better player and help the Thunder both in the locker room and on the court. And I'm happy to say, Sam Presti agrees.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Perk Makes the List of NBA Tough Guys

Dime has posted a list of the toughest players in the NBA today and it's no surprise that Perk is on it. Here's what they have to say about him:

Maybe it’s the constant scowl while on the floor or arguing every correct foul call a referee makes against him, but Kendrick Perkins seems like an extremely angry man. Former and current players such as Charles Oakley and Francisco Garcia have voiced their opinion on Perkins, calling him a “fake tough guy” who puts on a show for fans, and on certain occasions, I’ve shared similar sentiments about the center. However, Perkins reputation as an enforcer who punishes those who enter the paint is legitimate.

Perkins is essential because he knows his role as a basketball player. He’s never been a huge scorer, and instead focuses on rebounding and defensive leadership. After tears to the anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in Game 6 of the 2010 Finals, Perkins returned to NBA action only six months later, losing 31 pounds in the process which has increased his athleticism and made him more of a force beneath the basket. And of course, it’s upped his intimidation factor. Former teammates Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo have both stated that the Celtics would’ve won the 2010 NBA Finals if Perkins was there in the paint to punish Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, as well as preventing the Lakers’ guards from penetrating.

Yes, Perkins has had his fair share of disparaging moments. We all remember him getting baptized by Blake Griffin in the Staples Center and subsequently getting into a pissing match with LeBron Jamesover the tweet the Miami Heat forward sent, which praised the dunk. Like a true tough guy, how did Perkins retaliate to the Griffin dunk? By excessively fouling the Clippers power forward, and warranting a technical foul. Tough guy indeed.

Count me among those who believe that the Celtics would have won the title in 2010 if Perk hadn't gone down. And, who knows, maybe they would have won again in 2011 but Danny traded Perk and they have been searching for a player to fill his role ever since. Perk may not put up a flashy stat line, but his presence and his role of enforcer is very important for a team that wants to win.