In case you didn't know it, I love Perk. I really do. On the court, I love his willingness to do the dirty work - to play defense and be the enforcer and to play his role to perfection. He had 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks in last night's game and a very nifty assist to Rondo as he cut to the basket. His presence in the game does so much more than the box score shows though. He is the ultimate team player. When talking about his playing time possibly going down because of Sheed being on the floor in crunch time, this is what he had to say:
“It’s part of sacrifice,” he said. “You want to win, that’s what’s gotta happen. Can’t have no hidden agendas and everybody’s just got to go out there and play team ball and the rest will take care of itself.”
Absolutely no hidden agendas for Perk. Do what he is asked to do, stay within his role, and be a good teammate. And it isn't just on the court. Off the court, he still has his teammates' backs. Here is what he had to say about Big Baby's situation and suspension:
“I don’t like that,” Perkins said. “It’s done with. You don’t have to go there. I know it wasn’t the smartest thing, but at the same time we can’t keep pounding on him about it. We’ve got to be in his corner. I’m sure Baby feels bad enough without them suspending him and taking his money. I don’t think we should cry over spilled milk. It’s happened; it’s done with. What we’ve got to do is be with Baby.
“Things happen in life. He’s going to get a lot of pressure about this. I just think his teammates and the organization needs to be more behind him.”
And speaking of Big Baby, I don't think a long suspension is good for him. Maybe fine him if they want to get money back, but if he is suspended, he can't work out with the team at all and can't use the team's facilities to stay in shape. And if there is any player in this league who needs to have the team's guidance to stay in shape through an injury, it's Big Baby. Let's hope he doesn't let his weight and conditioning go back up while his thumb is recuperating
Our friends at Red's Army supplied this video and if this doesn't give you goose bumps, especially when KG lets out that primal scream, I don't know what will.
With Big Baby's absence, Shelden Williams is making the most of the opportunity. I really like what I have seen from him in these first two games. He has improved from game to game and last night posted an impressive 12 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. in 22 minutes. In 6-8 weeks when Big Baby is ready to return, he is going to have to fight for minutes because Shelden is definitely earning them.
Last night was a good chance to give the starters a nice rest and yet Ray Allen played 38 minutes. I'm not sure if Doc has a good reason for keeping him out there that long but in blowouts like this, starters minutes should be way under 30 minutes. Doc did fine with the others but it is just puzzling that Ray was out there long after the game was decided. It was nice to see Lester and JR getting some minutes last night. I think both have potential and it is nice to see them getting some minutes early in the season.
Once again, the Celtics looked for the long ball early and often. They were 11-29. I'd much rather see them make an effort to get to the hoop. The 3's are falling but there will come a time when legs are tired and they won't fall and I don't like depending on them. But then again, we have the players who can go to the hoop when they aren't falling and they are smart enough to abandon one and go to the other when it isn't working.
Next up is the Bulls on Friday and I'm sure both teams will have last year's brutal playoff series. Should be a good one, and another win for the Celtics.
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