5.18.2020

Celtics' Big Perks Up

December 7, 2008

Dirty Harry once said a man has to know his limitations.

Kendrick Perkins might beg to differ and agree at the same time.



The Celtics center, who knocked around Greg Oden on Friday night as if the Portland rookie were just getting off the bus from Ohio State, is currently enjoying the best of everything. Few in the NBA know their role better. But according to coach Doc Rivers, Perkins has reached a kind of role player nirvana. By fulfilling it, Perkins has outperformed his job description.

Based on his recent play, including double-doubles in three of his last four games and four straight double-figure rebounding performances, the big guy has redefined his role as a paint plugger and intimidator.

But not so fast.

``It's really rare when you have a role player who understands his role so well he plays better than a role player,'' said Rivers.

Perkins, apprised of his coach's comments, nodded vigorously. ``Doc plays a big part in that,'' he said. ``He's always telling me, `Perk, just play your role.' I give Doc credit for putting me in the right position to do all this.''

He also credits Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo for commanding all of the defensive attention, thus freeing up Perkins for the dunks and trips to the free throw line that helped fatten his stat line.

Over the last four games, while averaging 12.7 points and 11.7 rebounds against an impressive dance card that included Portland, Indiana and Orlando, Perkins finished as well as he has since joining the NBA five years ago. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Garnett is one of the best passing big men in the history of the game. But it also helps that Perkins knows when to look for the ball.

``I think Perk has understood totally, 100 percent, his role,'' said Garnett. ``We look for him now. He's actually working on his offensive game and trying to be more of a threat. He takes a lot of pride when people are sagging off him. He doesn't like that, and he's doing something about it.

``He's in the gym working on his post game, and when he has matchups he's being patient. He's going out and being more of a force in the offensive end. But he still hasn't forgotten his role, which is getting Paul open, getting Ray open, getting Rondo open, being a defensive stopper and going in and clogging up the paint, things of that nature. ``He and Rondo are the MVPs right now for me. They're playing real good basketball.'' Not coincidentally, both are also meeting Rivers' standards - not always an easy thing, especially for a point guard.

But Perkins, like Rondo, seems to be playing the best basketball of his life. His play enables Garnett to take lengthy breaks each night, which bodes well for the team long term. And judging from the way Oden complained about the Celtics' physical style and the officials' willingness to let the rough stuff go, Perkins is in a physical groove.

``I'm not worried about points,'' Perkins said. ``They'll come if I do everything else. I'm just worried about defending and helping Kevin on the boards.

``When you play your role - like setting picks - the guys end up finding me. There was one play (Friday) where Rondo hit me with a pass and then I hit Kevin for the dunk. That's just the rhythm we play with.''

No. 1 starters

The Celtics, who can tie the best mark (20-2) through 22 games in franchise history with a win tonight in Indianapolis, are chasing two teams that currently hold that mark - last year's Celtics, and the 1963-64 team. Neither of those teams advanced to 21-2. . . . Last Wednesday's rout of the Pacers notwithstanding, the Celtics know what can happen against this surprising team, especially in Conseco Fieldhouse. ``We know we have to go in and get it,'' said Perkins. ``Indiana is one of the most underrated teams in the league.'' . . . Tony Allen, who missed the last two games with a sprained right ankle, has targeted tonight's game for a return.

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