SB Nation User Blog: nickagneta

Kendrick Perkins: Boston's unheralded defensive gem.

nickagneta — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:46:52 -0000

By now Kendrick Perkins must be used to the lack of attention he gets not only in newsprint or on the internet or on television or, for that matter, the competition. Ever since Perkins has donned the Green and White there always been some else there that was better, more famous, more quoteable, more noticeable. So for Perkins, as he has progressed from the over weight teenager the Boston Celtics drafted to the slim, muscular, scowling starting center they now have, the lack of attention has pretty much been par for the course. Even during and after a banner raising season in which he became an NBA Champion.

This year though, that may all change. Last year on national television Perk took "Superman" Dwight Howard to the limit all by himself. In that series Perk scored 10.6 PPG, pulled down 11.6 RPG and had 2.29 BPG. But those aren't the numbers that show what he really did , these are: 16.4 PPG, 17.1, PPG, 54.9 FG%, 2.71 BPG. Pretty impressive numbers. But these were Howard's numbers versus Perkins in a virtual one on one battle. But Howard went played three other playoff teams last year and these were his numbers versus those teams were the defensive philosophy was for Howard to be constantly double and triple teamed:

vs Philadelphia 24.0 PPG, 15.8 RPG, 68.3 FG%, 2.8 BPG.

vs Cleveland 25.8 PPG, 13 RPG, 65.1 FG%, 1.17 BPG.

vs Los Angeles 15.4 PPG, 15.2 RPG, 48.8 FG%, 4.0 BPG.

Again, when reviewing these numbers remember that Perk was on a virtual island alone guarding and going up against Howrad in that playoff series. In every other series he was faced with constant double and triple teams and in the case of the Lakers his double and triple teams often came in the form of Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum, some very large and extremely talented players. Cleveland and Philadelphia did not have that type of talent to throw into double and triple teams at Howard and the numbers reflect that.

Anyway, numbers aside Kendrick Perkins had a little bit of a coming out party last May and now he is starting to get the recognition, even if it is a slow trickle that seeps slowly from the crack that is the national media. Two NBA coaches have now come forth and stated that Perk should get All-Defense recognition. His own coach is saying that Perk is indispensable towards winning a championship. His team mates constantly gamble on the outside or don't fret when they get beat because he is behind them backing them up. And some in the media are starting to come around to what we here at Celticsblog have known for quite a while, Kendrick Perkins is one of the best defneissve centers in the game and maybe the best one on one big man post defender in the league.

And he continues to demonstrate that this year. Right now Perkins has an average of 2.38 blocks per game which ranks him 6th in the NBA. His PER48 numbers are good enough for 3rd in the league among starters and he is amazingly 2nd in the league in an obscure but very telling stat blocks per personal foul ratio. This last stat is telling because up until a very short time ago one of the biggest knocks on Perk was that he couldn't stay on the floor long enough to be effective because he was so foul prone. Not anymore.

Add all this defensive prowess into the total package that is Kendrick Perkins, which includes a 62% FG%, a very real possibility of averaging a double-double this year, an ever expanding low post game that includes a virtually unguardable jump hook, a nice turnaround jumper and the occasional Kevin McHale like three step head fake and footwork for the lay in, and you see why many teams might be privately hoping the Celtics don't extend Perkins contract and let's him become an unrestricted free agent after next year.

But don't worry Celtic fans because if Perk continues to have the progress that he has steadily shown for the past few years, he is going nowhere fast but to the bank with a whole lot of Wyc Grousbeck's dollars in his pockets.

Rondo, C's to talk extension on Sunday

nickagneta — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:43:09 -0000

Rondo, C's to talk extension on Sunday

Two tidbits I found interesting is that it looks like both sides are going to give this one last shot on Sunday and that for the first time I saw the numbers being bandied about. Rondo wants 5-year/$55-60 million and Danny is offering 5-year/$45 million. Can't see how this can't be settled at the 5-year/$53-55 million area. That's really not too much for what Rondo brings to the table.

Does a Williams emergence mean a Baby trade poackage with expirings?

nickagneta — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:19:09 -0000

In 2007-08 Danny Ainge was awarded the NBA Executive of the Year for his wheeling and dealing the offseason before in attaining Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, James Posey and Eddie House and turning those acquisitions into Banner #17 for the Boston Celtics. In 2009-10, could Danny win another NBA Executive of the Year Award for his reloading of his team's bench with the signings of Rasheed Wallace, Marquis Daniels and Sheldon Williams. and the re-signing of Glen "Big Baby" Davis. And, interestingly enough, the piece de resistance of the offseason could be the addition of Williams, who, is playing so well early in the season due to playing time gifted to him from a broken thumb courtesy of Davis.

Why could the crowning jewel of Ainge's EOTY Award be Williams? Because if Sheldon Williams, a 26 year old former All-American Duke Blue Devil that was a 5th pick in the draft before having lots of trouble adjusting to the NBA, can continue to perform as well as he is in his role as backup power forward, that makes Big Baby expendable. Davis is already in hot water with the Celtics owner, Wyc Grousbeck, and Glen can call up Sebastion Telfair and ask him what happens to players in green that anger the C's owner. They end up ex-Celtic players, that's what.

So, if Williams can continue to shine in his role while, for the first time in his career, playing alongside established NBA stars and contributing with his rebounding, hustle, exceptional good rebounding, good court awareness, very good movement without the ball and pretty decent 15 foot jump shot, the reason he is so important to Danny's award is that now, instead of just having the expiring contracts of Tony Allen and Brian Scalabrine to trade away to obtain another cog for this year's stretch year and maybe future year's title, Danny now can add in the very good prospect of Glen Davis signed to a reasonable 2 year contract.

I believe this is important because even if Baby's contract is a Base Year Contract, making it a bit more difficult to deal him, he could be packaged with enough contract money to make his contract easily tradeable and now brings into focus an entirely different type of player into Danny Ainge's sights. With just expiring contracts in the form of end of the bench scrubs like Tony Allen, Scal, J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker, Danny was looking at the possibility of thinking that maybe it would be better to let them expire and free up some cash from lining the pockets of other teams due to the luxury tax. A package of those players was probably not going to bring back an awful lot. Now add in a promising player of Baby's talent who showed in the playoffs that he can contribute mightily, even if it might be that he was being left open because he was the fifth best player of the Celtics on the floor most of the time, and suddenly other doors for some real good NBA talent opens up.

Could this suddenly put the Celtics into the running for a player of Travis Outlaw's quality in a package with Portland? What about maybe Rudy Gay from Memphis or Stephen Jackson from Golden State? Is a package with Davis and the C's $7 million of expiring contract enough for teams looking to clear cap room and add a player and maybe with a first round pick, enough to land a player like Shane Battier or Tayshaun Prince or Jason Terry or James Posey? I don't have a firm answer for that but come December 15th, the date when it becomes possible for teams to trade recently signed players and a date when some teams can start making definitive answers about whether the are contenders or pretenders, I'm sure some answers will emerge and maybe, just maybe so will some very intriguing trade scenarios.

So is Williams good enough to supplant Davis while Davis mends and does his emergence then turn Danny's offseason additions into more than just Sheed, Marquis and Sheldon? Could we see a trade, mainly because Williams has shown the capability to lock down the backup PF spot, that could also net the Celtics that athletic, lock down SF they've been wanting and needing and maybe even something a little bit more. But the thought of adding Rasheed Wallace, Marquis Daniels, Sheldon Williams and __________(fill in the blank with any of the names above or someone I haven't mentioned) to the best starting five in the game and Eddie House is sounding like Banners 18 and 19 flapping in the rafters of the TD Garden to me.

Oh yeah, and very early congratulations go out early to the 2009-10 Executive of the Year, Danny Ainge, if he does pull off a trade like that!!

Vote for Celticsblog's Best of the Year 2008-09 in the Forums

nickagneta — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:13:43 -0000

The Celticsblog Hall of Fame is proud to announce that their fan and member interactive portion of the Hall has launched it's initial Fan and Member Vote for the 2008-09 season. Inside the forums you can find separate threads to vote for the Celticsblog Best Fanpost, Thread, Post, Game Thread and Front Page Article of the Year.

Please, take the time to journey to Celticsblog Hall of Fame forum under the Nominees/Discussion sub forum where you will find the threads where you can not only be linked to the nominated threads, posts, and articles but also vote for your favorite which will be entered into the Celticsblog Hall of Fame for permanent placement of Thread, Post, Game Thread, Front Page Article and Fan Post of the Year.

There's a lot of very interesting, thought provoking, humorous and informative reading to be had with literally hours of entertainment. Please, take the time and give it a read and let us know what you think is deserving to be called the best of the 2008-09 season. Voting will be tentatively scheduled to end Opening Night 2009-10 after the game and results and the induction with the revealing of the 2008-09 Inductees to the Celticsblog Hall of Fame to follow the next day.

Again, please, go here:

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?board=57.0

read and vote. Your participation and comments are welcomed and we look forward to to having you participate!!!!!

Bobcats minority owner dies in plane crash

nickagneta — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:55:58 -0000

Bobcats minority owner dies in plane crash

"Authorities say 49-year-old William "Skipper" Beck of Charlotte, N.C., died in the crash around 7:15 a.m. Friday at a local airport in South Carolina just across the state line from Charlotte."

Condolences go out to the entire Bobcats family and franchise.

Ramon Sessions signs with Wolves

nickagneta — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 00:15:54 -0000

Ramon Sessions signs with Wolves

It's a 4 year/$16 million deal that the Wolves now have to see if the Bucks will match. I don't see it.

In Golden State, something gotta give!

nickagneta — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:21:42 -0000

It's been a rather crazy off season in San Francisco and maybe the strangest part has occurred in just the last few days. Let's take a look at some of the nutty stuff that has been happening in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge this summer:

Stephen Jackson, after somehow conning management into a 3 year extension on his contract a while back is now claiming he wants to be traded to a contender because he wants to play for a champion once again. Here's the funny part. He listed Cleveland, any team in Texas and the, wait, this is great, New York Knicks as those teams he wants to go to. Yes, the same Knicks that are supposedly offering David Lee, Nate Robinson and Jared Jeffries to the T-Wolves for Mark Blount and the rights to a PG that can't play a game in the USA until the 2011-12 season. I can't personally see the Knicks making it out of the lottery until 2020 and that's if they sign LeBron next year.
Then there was the trade that almost happened on Draft Day 2009 where the Warriors were rumored to be sending Andris Biedrins, Brandon Wright, Marco Belinelli and, depending on who you were listening to, Stephen Curry to the Phoenix Suns for Amare Stoudemire, a guy who could have then opted out of his contract after the 2010 season leaving the Warriors with nothing. Luckily, someone came to their senses in Golden State and this did not happen.
The Warriors did end up making a trade and sent Marco Belinelli to the Toronto Raptors for Devean George and a bunch of cash to pay for George's contract. Now, I am no fan of Marco Belinelli but even I have to admit the kid is young and has a bunch of potential and even if he doesn't reach it, is still a much better player currently than George who's skills have fossilized over the last 2-3 years. Once a fairly good to very good defender, even that skill is atrocious in George's game now. So a team that is over the cap makes a trade to give away a very good prospect to save $1.5 million give or take a few hundred thousand?? If they saved $4-5 million, fine I see it. But for chump change?? Weird!!
C. J. Watson was given a qualifying offer and then a three year contract offer for $4.5 million total. The Warriors received all sorts of offers for the player with Orlando making a fairly strong push. Given the market and the way most restricted free agents were treated like they had a communicable disease this off season, the Warriors probably thought to play hardball and would get Watson, an NBDL success story, to take their offer. Here's the problem, reports are now out that he will be taking the qualifying offer for about $1 milllion this year and become an unrestricted free agent next year. The strange part of all this. Watson will now become the 5th PG signed to play for the Warriors 15 man roster with only one, Stephen Curry, the man I expect to be starting at PG in GSW, eligible to be assigned to the D-League.
Now rumors are that the Warriors are in possible trade talks with Dallas to move Monta Ellis to Dallas for expiring contracts though after checking with shamsports.com and the ESPN Trade Machine looks to be an impossibility. Of course they could always trade Ellis to Dallas for Jason Terry and Jose Juan Barea and then have 6 PGs on the active roster. The way this off season is going, that would probably make sense.

Something has got to give in Golden State. They have a bunch of very good and very interesting young parts.

Andris Biedrins - a 23 year old center with a good offensive game, as long as he is within 5 feet of the basket, and a knack for being a rebounding fool. His one on one defense isn't great but he is a good weak side defender and shot blocker and if he was ever paired with a real banger of a PF could become All-Star material.

Stephen Curry - a 21 year old PG/SG that probably is one of the better gunners to come out of college basketball in a while that has shown a grittiness and maturity level that few gunners usually do. If he starts, he could put up Rookie of the Year numbers.

Anthony Morrow - a 23 year old undrafted free agent that surprised everyone last year and showed just an incredible three point shooting touch, 47% from three point land whiole throwing up 184 threes. In Nelson's system, he is a very dangerous commodity coming off the bench.

Anthony Randolph - a 20 year old SF/PF type that if he fills out will become an extremely imposing figure in the low post. He's got quickness, ups, skill, a knack for the ball, and length(a supposed 7'4" wingspan). He just completely tore up the Summer League and was invited to join the Team USA junior squad.

Kelenna Azubuike - a 25 year old SG/SF type that has done nothing but shown steady progress over the last three years and now is a scoring weapon with deep range and the ability to post up. The kid is a heck of an athlete and could be a long time starter for the Warriors.

Brandon Wright - a 20 year old built in the same mold as Randolph who's game is still a work in progress but who has shown in college that he has the stuff to be a difference making winner. I have always loved his game and think he could take a huge leap in the very near future.

C. J. Watson - a 25 year old back up slashing PG in the Bobby Jackson, Mo Williams mold of PGs.

That's seven very young, very inexperienced, very talented players on the roster and something has to give because the Warriors were a horrible team last year and that's with Stephen Jackson, Monta Ellis, Corey Maggette, Jamal Crawford and Ronny Turiaf, all veterans and very good players in their own rights, making big contributions. Are they going to go with the youth movement? Are they going to realize that their vets have untradeable contracts and trade the youth? Are they going to continue to allow Nelson and his senile brand of basketball and decision making be the way they want to go forward? Are they going to keep 5 PGs on the roster without actually having a real PF on the roster?

Lots of questions surround this team and good GMs around the league should be ready to pounce to grab a championship completing veteran or a great prospect with lots of upside because, currently constituted, I don't see this team looking anything like its current roster come the trading deadline this year. Hope you're paying attention Danny!!

Great interview with KG's and Big Baby's personal trainer, Joe Abunassar

nickagneta — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:02:40 -0000

Great interview with KG's and Big Baby's personal trainer, Joe Abunassar

Some really excellent stuff including lots of name dropped and who is looking good and who is working on what.

SB Nation User Blog: nickagneta

Kendrick Perkins: Boston's unheralded defensive gem.

Rondo, C's to talk extension on Sunday

Rondo, C's to talk extension on Sunday

Does a Williams emergence mean a Baby trade poackage with expirings?

Vote for Celticsblog's Best of the Year 2008-09 in the Forums

Bobcats minority owner dies in plane crash

Bobcats minority owner dies in plane crash

Ramon Sessions signs with Wolves

Ramon Sessions signs with Wolves

In Golden State, something gotta give!

Great interview with KG's and Big Baby's personal trainer, Joe Abunassar

Great interview with KG's and Big Baby's personal trainer, Joe Abunassar

Where will LBJ land? One guy says Boston

Where will LBJ land? One guy says Boston

Bill Walton favors the Celtics for No 18.

Bill Walton favors the Celtics for No 18.