Kendrick Perkins: Can’t Teach Size

By Joshua Howe | Feb 23, 2015

Feb 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins (5) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

LeBron James said that the Cleveland Cavaliers have a roster that is capable of winning a championship. That might seem like a little much when watching this team who hasn’t accomplished anything yet. But with the right pieces in place and cohesion now visibly there, James might not be so far off.

One of the main issues Cleveland has had since the beginning of the season has been a lack of inside presence on the defensive side of things. They helped patch that up by trading for big man Timofey Mozgov to acquire an actual center who can do actual center things like rebound, take up space, block shots, change shots and protect the rim.

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But bringing Mozgov aboard the slowly steadying ship of the Cavs hasn’t quite brought them out of choppy waters just yet.

When the Cavaliers faced the Chicago Bulls just prior to the All-Star break, they ended up being exposed and their biggest weakness was revealed. Mozgov got into foul trouble early on, and was never able to stay on the floor for long periods of time after that. He’d just rack up foul after foul and have to sit back down again in frustration.

Due to this, the Bulls’ bigs had a field day in the paint. They scored 50 of their 113 total points inside, grabbed 13 offensive rebounds and made poor Tristan Thompson look like a chicken with his head cut off as he tried to defend Pau Gasol and help defend on Joakim Noah as well.

That simply didn’t cut it, and Chicago ran away with the game 113-98.

While there are other reasons Cleveland lost (they looked as if they had already begun their All-Star break from their lack of effort), it’s undeniable that not having another defensive and true center hurt them deeply. When playing a frontcourt as overwhelming as Chicago’s, the team simply can’t afford to lose Mozgov, whether it be to foul trouble or anything else.

So when Kendrick Perkins got traded in the insane final hour of the trade deadline this past Thursday and then promptly waived by the Utah Jazz, the Cavs jumped on the opportunity to bring him aboard. Before long, Perkins notified everyone that he was heading to Cleveland in hopes of adding a second ring to the one he won in 2008 with the Boston Celtics.

While the signing may leave some casual fans scratching their heads, it leaves the hardcore fans excited and relieved.

Perkins isn’t the best basketball player. Let’s be real here. He’s not a dominating force on the interior who’s going to be a vital cog in the Cavaliers’ offense. But what he does provide is exactly what the Cavaliers needed when Mozgov had to hit the pine in that Bulls game: size.

Back in his days on the Celtics, Perkins was the defensive anchor. Now? He’s not quite the same player, but he’s still good enough to do what the Cavs need him to. When Mozgov goes to the bench and Kevin Love is out there doing his thing, David Blatt needs to have someone he can slide into the rotation to help cover for Love’s inadequate defense.

Thompson often does a great job of defending, but when he has to go up against opposing centers he’s often too small (he’s 6’9”) and thin to deal with their size and strength. That won’t be a problem for Perkins, who’s bulky, strong and tough as nails.

He knows that his role is to come in when David Blatt needs him to and provide the team with the same thing Mozgov does: an inside presence that can, at the very least, alter shots and take up space around the rim.

In 19.2 minutes per game this season, Perkins has held opponents to 45.2 percent shooting at the rim while he’s defending. Not bad at all.

The fact that Perkins knows exactly what he’s getting into is another bonus. He’s willing to take a lesser role on a team that has title aspirations. That’s always a great thing to have on a roster. He won’t play a ton, but he’ll see his time and when he does he’ll be ready to perform the duties required.

With this great attitude comes his experience from past years as well, of which this young team is lacking. Perkins has won a title, been in lots of playoff games and knows what it takes to climb to the top. Heck, if he hadn’t gotten injured in the 2010 NBA Finals, he’d probably have two rings right now.

As a second or third string player, there are much worse options to have come across. Perkins isn’t as old as he may seem either; he’s only 30 and has lots left in the tank.

Oh, and let’s not forget that he provides stuff like this:

Yes indeed, though it may seem strange to admit, the signing of Perkins was exactly what the doctor ordered for these Cavs. No matter what, he’s a consistent and constant presence; Blatt knows what he’ll be able to get out of him every single night.

So look out NBA, the Cavs have added their final piece. And it looks like a perfect fit.

Next: NBA: 50 Greatest Players Of All Time

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