Boston Celtics: How Are They Adjusting to Life Without having Kendrick Perkins?

The way the Boston Celtics fare with out center Kendrick Perkins? So far the answer to that's just fine. They have won five out of six games since the departure of Perkins, and that one loss was the next game following the trade, so feelings might have been a aspect in that game at Denver against the Nuggets. Let's not forget the Celtics have played most of the season without Perkins and have earned the second finest record in the NBA, second only to the San Antonio Spurs. Not having Perkins is undoubtedly a massive loss, however the Celtics had currently adapted alive with out him just before he was traded away to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The overall consensus amongst Celtic fans is the fact that Perkins' absence cost the C's Game 7 from the NBA Finals in 2010. That theory might be true, but it has practically nothing to do with this season. This season coach Doc Rivers has had time to produce the required adjustments and adapt their game. This a luxury that Rivers didn't have in between Game 6 and 7 of final year's Finals.

The addition of Jeff Green gives Rivers versatility. He is able to when again go to a smaller lineup, like he did within the playoffs in 2008. The Celtics can use Green exactly the same way they utilized James Posey by moving Kevin Garnett to center and inserting Green at power forward. The lineup is a smaller lineup, however it assists point guard Rajon Rondo run the transition game more effectively.

When the Celtics go massive, they've newly acquired center Nenad Krstic through the Perkins trade, and Glen "Big Baby" Davis fills in only fine at the center position. Davis are a wide wide body and is very effective on offense and defense. Prior to Perkins returned from his injury, Davis would finish games at the position, probably due to foul shooting issues with Shaquille O'Neal and to avoid the "Hack-a-Shaq" scenario. The Celtics certainly require both O'Neals back from injuries, but at the moment who knows when which will transpire? Fans loved the imply and nasty spirit that Perkins delivered to the team, but if they appear in the situation far more closely, it's not the finish of the globe. The truth may be the Celtics had to eliminate Perkins so they could get worth for him at this time; otherwise they took the risk of losing him to free of charge agency in the offseason and obtaining practically nothing in return.

Let's be honest, Celtic fans: In the event you had been told at the outset of the season that the Celtics needed to trade 1 of their five starters (and that is essentially what happened), who would you prefer they trade? I feel we all know the answer to that question. It was a business choice that had to be made, and Doc and also the rest of the staff will do anything they can to produce the new pieces of the team fit. We've all heard the critics the Celtics' time is now, that they are too old also it makes no sense to worry about the future of the team. Nicely, the Celtics often hear this ahead of; heck, they heard it this past year. The reality is this: Perkins will probably be missed, but the team has to move on.

We now have heard that Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett weren't happy about the trade. Pierce and Garnett are correct experts, company, it was an emotional split for all those guys, but they may get to work and concentrate on helping the new guys adapt and try to bring the Larry O'Brien Trophy back to Boston.