Perkins Key to Celtics Success
Boston's Center Hopes for Big Year with Big Three
Now's a good time to start paying attention to Boston Celtics' center Kendrick Perkins. With all eyes on the "big three", consisting of Paul Pierce and newly acquired Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, Perkins will be a key factor in determining the success of the Celtics next season.
Acquiring Garnett cost the Celtics five players and two draft picks. Add to that the three players it cost them to acquire Ray Allen and that makes for a lonely bench in Boston. Moreover, consider that Paul Pierce played in only 47 games last season and Ray Allen played in only 55 games, both due to injuries. When the big three are playing, Perkins will be responsible to defend the paint and help Garnett control the boards. Yet, with so many three point shots going up (Pierce and Allen averaged nearly 13 threes per game last year between them), there's bound to be plenty of rebounds for Perkins to nab. This also means that he should get plenty of opportunities for garbage points from those rebounds and from Garnett's pin-point passing. In addition, the lane should be relatively cleared as defenders will focus on the big three.
Slowly but surely, Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins has earned more playing time each year. In his fourth season, Perkins managed just under 22 minutes per game in 72 games and showed flashes of greatness in the paint. He averaged a mere 4.5 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game and 1.3 blocks per game in those minutes. However, keep in mind that Perkins played hurt for a lot of the season. He was rehabbing from a shoulder injury and was also dealing with plantar fascitis for much of the season. As a result, he often found himself in foul trouble and his minutes and touches were limited. In his final twenty games, he averaged 5.7 points per game and 7.3 rebounds.
Perkins has a real chance for a breakout season. Things are going to be much easier for him with the attention on the big three. He won't have much competition for the center position, unless Doc Rivers decides to give Garnett a lot of minutes at center and he's finally healthy to the point where he should have been able to work on his game and his physical shape this off season.
The projected depth chart for Boston next season is:
- Centers: Kendrick Perkins (backups: Scot Pollard, Brian Scalabrine)
- Power Forwards: Kevin Garnett (backups: Leon Powe, Glen Davis)
- Small Forwards: Paul Pierce (backup: Brandon Wallace)
- Point Guards: Rajon Rondo (backups: Gabe Pruitt, Eddie House)
- Shooting Guards: Ray Allen (backup: Tony Allen)
Perkins could have a breakout season, but at the very least should see significant improvements to his stats. At worst, expect a bump in stats to about 6 points per game and 7-8 rebounds per game with a block and a half. However, don't be surprised to see a larger increase in numbers to about 9-10 points per game and 10-11 or so rebounds per game with nearly two blocks.
The sky is the limit for the 6-10 280lbs center and the Celtics' big three should help him reach it.
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