“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.
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.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.
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.
