His Game has Perked Up

 12/27/05

SEATTLE -- It's hard to believe, but the last time the Celtics played the Sonics, Kendrick Perkins had a comfortable seat on the bench. For the entire game. He was the only Boston player with a DNP-coach's decision in 113-100 loss Nov. 16.

Back then, Perkins was just another big man trying to find a way into the rotation. Almost six weeks later, Perkins is a fixture in the frontcourt. Last night at Key Arena, he made his 15th start of the season. No one seems more surprised by the turn of events than Perkins.

"I didn't expect it, but I just keep being me, and whatever happens happens," said Perkins. "All I can do is just come to work every day. I can't control what goes on. I thought I'd stay in the starting lineup like five games or something. I didn't know I was going to be in there for this long. You've just got to take advantage of it while you're there."

Since joining the starting lineup Nov. 25 against Charlotte, Perkins has done that. He gives the Celtics a physical presence underneath the basket and on the glass.

Perkins has not come close to duplicating his 19-rebound performance against Philadelphia Nov. 30, but he is averaging 5.2 per game in almost 15 minutes. After being outrebounded, 44-37, in their first meeting with Seattle (and allowing Nick Collison to grab a career-high 13), the Celtics were hoping Perkins could give them a boost on the glass last night.

"I really come with my all," said Perkins, who no longer plays in fear of being pulled after a single mistake. "I'm feeling more comfortable. I think Doc [Rivers] has a lot more trust in me right now. I really try not to disappoint him."

Mirror image <Help wanted: Young team struggles with inconsistency. Turnovers big problem. Worried about making playoffs in a lackluster division. Wasted opportunity with NBA schedule that included only a handful of road games in monthlong stretch.

Sound familiar? If you're thinking that describes the Celtics, you're right. If you're thinking that describes the Sonics, you're also right. After a 6-8 start, the Sonics hoped to make up ground with 10 of their next 15 games at Key Arena. Instead, they lost five of seven before facing the Celtics last night.

All the while, coach Bob Weiss has been hoping for consistency while trying to stay patient with young players such as unpredictable third-year point guard Luke Ridnour. <Rivers can empathize.

"It's a tough job," said Rivers. "If you look at the whole picture and the payback later, and keep that in mind, I think it's not as tough as people think it is. When we lose games because we're inconsistent and we turn the ball over, at the time you feel horrible about it and you get down about it.

"Then, when you look at the big picture of what's going on with your team, you have to just keep understanding that the veterans have to pull the young guys along and the young guys have to push them with their energy. That's how you try to get them to win."

All dressed up ...

Tony Allen did not take a shot during shootaround yesterday morning, and his status remains in limbo. When asked for an update, Rivers said, "He wore a nice sweatsuit. That's all I can say." He has not worked out for five straight days ... Rivers on former Celtic Danny Fortson, now in his second year with the Sonics: "Fortson scares me because he's a smart physical player and a veteran. It is a good test for our young guys to see mentally if they can take that." ... Paul Pierce spent part of Christmas Day watching former teammates Gary Payton and Antoine Walker play for the Heat against the Lakers. Payton scored a team-high 21 points in Miami's win. "I think Gary was playing well for them, even before Pat Riley took over," said Pierce. "I think he's the key for them. They have so much talent that when you have a veteran like Gary, who's been a great leader for all these years, to have him in there down the stretch [can only help]. He's better at controlling the game than Jason Williams. Jason Williams is a great talent, but you can't take away experience." ... Pierce was wearing one of his Christmas gifts after shootaround, a pair of brown leather, fur-lined Ugg slippers.

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