Tag Archives: Kendrick Perkins

Comparing 2018-19 Celtics with 2007-08 Championship Team

Point Guard – Kyrie Irving vs. Rajon Rondo

Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the hoop against Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics. (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)

Irving and Rondo have converse playing styles. Irving is a high volume efficient scorer, who takes about 20 shot attempts per 36-minutes. Whereas Rondo is a pure playmaker, who has led the league in assists three times since 2011-12.

Rondo was a perfect fit for the 2007-08 Celtics. His playmaking ability and defensive impact made him an ideal “true” point guard. Through 9 seasons in Boston, Rondo averaged 12.0 points, 9.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds, while having .127 win-shares per 48-minutes.

In contrast, Irving is the primary scorer as well as the primary playmaker. In his first season in Boston, he averaged 27.3 points, 5.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds, while having a win-shares per 48-minutes of .222. He may be the most talented guard in Celtics history and will surely have a major impact on the franchise.

Shooting Guard – Jaylen Brown vs. Ray Allen

Brown’s shooting was criticized early on. In his rookie season, he shot only 45 percent from the field and 34 percent from the 3-point line. In year two, Brown improved those numbers to 47 and 40 percent respectively. When comparing his first two seasons with Allen, the similarities between their per 36-minute statistics might shock you.

Name	G	3PA	3P%	2PA	2P%	TRB	AST	STL	PTS
Ray Allen	164	4.1	.377	9.6	.451	4.5	3.5	1.2	16.7
Jaylen Brown	148	4.5	.379	8.1	.507	5.8	1.8	1.1	15.8

Per 36-minutes (first two seasons)

Through their first two seasons, Brown was a slightly more efficient shooter than Allen, but overall their statistics are remarkably similar. Making this comparison after Brown’s rookie season would have been insane, but after his sophomore campaign, I believe the comparison is warranted.

Also, the high-flying 21-year-old is a force on the defensive end. His 3.2 defensive win shares ranked fourth on the Celtics last season, ahead of defensive minded players like Marcus Smart (2.5), Aaron Baynes (2.5) and Marcus Morris (2.2). The emergence of Brown as a star should not surprise anyone, as he is capable of playing highly efficient and effective basketball on both ends of the court.

Allen played a pivotal role for the Celtics during their Championship run. Celtics fans can expect Brown to do the same.

Small Forward – Gordon Hayward vs. Paul Pierce

Gordon Hayward #20 of the Utah Jazz shoots against Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

The similarities between these two are uncanny, as well. Pierce stands in at 6-foot-7, weighing 235-pounds and Hayward at 6-foot-8, 225-pounds. Each of them are all-around players adept at padding the stats sheet. Both are versatile, capable of playing the wing, two-guard or primary ball handler roles effectively. From ages 24-26, the two players share a very similar stat line per 100 possessions.

Name	G	3PA	3P%	2PA	2P%	TRB	AST	STL	PTS	ORtg	DRtg
Paul Pierce	241	7.1	.342	18.6	.451	9.1	5.6	2.3	33.0	105	100
Gordon Hayward	229	7.3	.370	15.3	.488	7.7	5.7	1.8	30.5	113	106

Per 100 Team Possessions (Ages 24-26)

According to the numbers, Hayward is more efficient and effective than Pierce on both sides of the floor. His all-around skill set will be key for Boston, as they pride themselves on versatility and efficiency.

Power Forward – Jayson Tatum vs. Kevin Garnett

Despite their difference in size, Garnett standing 6-foot-11, weighing 245-pounds, Tatum at 6-foot-8, weighing 225 pounds, I felt comparing the two would be fair as they both made their NBA debuts at 19-years-old, and are versatile on the offensive end.

Garnett began his career by receiving 1995-96 All-Rookie honors after averaging ten points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks over 29-minutes per game. Tatum would have similar success, averaging 14 points, five rebounds, a steal and a block across about 31-minutes per game, while also receiving All-Rookie honors.

Garnett was one of the greatest defensive players of his generation. His nine All-Defensive First team honors are tied for most in NBA history. Despite the difference in their stature, Tatum possesses a similar defensive edge. In 2017-18, Tatum’s defensive win shares of 4.0 ranked first among Celtics players. His length and athleticism allow him to guard nearly every position on defense, which Garnett did seamlessly.

Back to the offensive side of the ball. Both Garnett and Tatum are capable shooters, although Tatum was significantly better in his rookie season. Each averaged over nine field goal attempts per game, although Tatum’s effective field goal percentage of .538 was significantly better than Garnett’s .497.

Name	Season	FGA	eFG	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	PTS	OWS	DWS	VORP
Kevin Garnett	1995-96	11.5	.497	7.9	2.3	1.4	2.1	13.1	1.8	2.6	2.1
Jayson Tatum	2017-18	12.3	.538	5.9	1.9	1.2	0.9	16.4	3.0	4.0	1.8

Per 36-minutes (Rookie Season)

Overall, I believe Tatum will have a similar impact as Garnett on both sides of the floor, despite the differences in their size and play styles.

Center – Al Horford vs. Kendrick Perkins

Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots a jump shot against Kendrick Perkins #43 of the Boston Celtics. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Once again, we have ourselves two opposite playing styles. Perkins was a bruiser in the paint, whereas Horford is used as a pivot atop the key.

Perkins acted as the team’s primary rebounder and rim protector in 2007-08. Since the team was filled with stars, he fit the enforcer role perfectly.

On the contrary, Horford is used as an offensive catalyst. The 32-year-old is one of the most versatile offensive big-men in the NBA. His ability to drive, post up, and shoot make him lethal on the pick-and-roll.

In 2017, he shot 43 percent from the 3-point line on a career high 97 3-point shot attempts. Also, his playmaking ability cannot be overlooked, as his 676 assists since 2016-17 rank second among big-men behind only Nikola Jokic (817).

Although he gets criticized for his inability to corral boards and block shots, it is clear Al Horford is an indispensable offensive cog in the machine that is the Boston Celtics.

Conclusion

After the analysis, it seems the 2018-19 Celtics roster rivals the talent of the 2007-08 Championship team. Only time will tell their fate, but fans will surely have an exciting season ahead.

Boston Celtics Ups and Downs – Week 2

The Ups

Al Horford and Kyrie Irving Are Finding Their Groove

The chemistry between Horford and Kyrie wasn’t there to start. After the injury to Hayward, each player had to figure out their new role within the offense. The feeling out process took a few days, but the tandem is starting to gel. Boston has made an effort to run the offense more through Horford and it has paid off. Horford is an excellent passing big, and Kyrie’s penetration opens up passing lanes. The two-man game has been seamless over Boston’s four-game winning streak. While Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have got a lot of the headlines, and rightfully so, Horford and Kyrie are reminding people why they are multi-time All-Stars.

Aron Baynes is a Hit in Boston

Adding Baynes slid under the radar after what was a chaotic offseason for Boston. The Aussie big man had never been a star, but his rugged style of play was something the team had not had since the days of Kendrick Perkins. Baynes has been an anchor on the defensive end. While not the most athletic center, he has used the rule of verticality better than anyone since Roy Hibbert. He has also crashed the glass with a certain brutality. Over the four-game winning streak, Baynes has averaged six rebounds in just 20 minutes per game. Baynes has helped on offense as a knock-down, pick-and-pop player. He has been a useful outlet for Kyrie in the pick-and-roll game when Horford is on the bench.

The Boston Celtics, a Defensive Dynamo?

Hayward and Kyrie improved the offense, but after the loss of Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder, many experts were concerned about Boston’s defense. After stifling the Miami Heat on Saturday night, Boston now has the second-best defense in the league. They are in the top-five in defensive rating (2nd), defensive rebound percentage (3rd), and steals (5th). The length of players like Brown and Tatum has ramped up Boston’s perimeter defense. Boston is holding opposing teams to just 28.3 percent from beyond the arc, a major factor for their improvement. On top of the length, Horford has put himself in the early season Defensive Player of the Year conversation, after guarding the likes of Giannis, Kristaps Porzingis and Ben Simmons.

The Downs

After a perfect 3-0 week there aren’t too many things to complain about, but there were a few things that need to be cleaned up.

Too Many Turnovers

The Celtics are sixth in the league in turnovers per game with 14.7. Most of these are due to so many young players in key spots, and it needs to be improved. The defense can’t stay at this level if Boston continues to give their opponents free possessions. As players start to gel, the turnovers should decrease, but it’s something to monitor.

Why Can’t Boston Shoot Free Throws?

Again, I’m grasping at straws a bit here, but it is curious. Boston finished third in the league last season in free throw shooting percentage. Through six games they are ranked 21st. Again, you could chalk this up to youth and players still trying to find their form, but the Celtics are throwing away points at the charity stripe. The average 6.3 free throws they are missing could be the difference between a win and a loss.

Where or Where has Jaylen Brown Gone?

You can stack this up in the “Small Sample Size, Large Overreaction” category if you so choose. After leading the team with 23 points against the Knicks, Brown was held to single-digit scoring in his last two games. More concerning is the fact that in those games he shot just 3-17 from the field. Brown will undoubtably struggle at times throughout the season. More often than not Kyrie, Horford and Tatum will pick up the slack, but Boston is going to rely on him to add a scoring punch on the wing. The shooting will need to improve and so will the consistency.

Horford-Baynes Front Court Resembles 2008 Celtics?

Laying the Foundation

After a wild 2017 off-season for the Boston Celtics, one key player remains from the 2016 club. That player is Al Horford, and he is entering his second year with the 17 time NBA Champions.

Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge made various offseason moves after a 2016-2017 Eastern Conference Finals exit. One signing that goes under-the-radar is that of Center Aron Baynes.

The 6’10” Australian-born Baynes is entering his sixth NBA season and will be given a bigger role this year. A possible starting front court of Horford at power forward and Baynes at center seems ideal for both players. Horford would play at his natural position and focus on his offensive strengths (moving the ball, spreading the floor). Baynes would be the physical bruiser the Celtics have lacked who can primarily grab boards and defend the paint. This front court would be comparable to the 2007-2008 Celtics duo of Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins. This pair was important to the team 10 years ago, and could be the blueprint for this upcoming season.

Horford to Garnett Comparison:

Before you freak out, I am not saying that Horford is on the same level as “The Big Ticket.”

Garnett was the 2004 NBA MVP with the Minnesota Timberwolves and 2008 NBA Defensive Player of the Year for Boston. Horford has never acquired either of these accolades and likely never will, but that is fine. KG was a post-up nightmare for opposing defenses who also had solid rim protection skills. During the ’07-’08 season, he averaged 18.8 points per game and 1.2 blocks per game.

Horford averaged 14.0 points and 1.3 blocks for the Celtics in 2016-2017. A key advantage he holds over Garnett is elite passing ability (5.0 assists per game last season). He also has the ability to stretch the floor with a consistent three point shot (.355% last season). With the addition of Aron Baynes, Horford will likely get to move back to his natural position. This will allow him to put more focus on his offensive game.

KG was at his best when playing power forward for the Celtics. Upon the departure of Perkins after the 2010-2011 season, Garnett was forced to play center. He saw many of his averages drop, including points, rebounds and blocks per game.

Do not expect Horford to emerge as the next “Big Ticket” for the Boston Celtics in 2017-2018. Instead, while playing at his natural position alongside a true center in Baynes, expect his offensive production to increase.

Baynes to Perkins Comparison

Aron Baynes was not a name that stuck out to most people during the 2017 “Summer of Ainge.” Kendrick Perkins was not a name that stuck out to most people during the “Big 3 Era” of the Celtics. Baynes does not hold the same value as the additions of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. Instead, he has the chance to be a key role players for a championship contender. The Aussie has been making a case for himself to be a starter during the pre-season. He can provide a “space and pace” offense at Center for the Celtics with a surprising mid-range jumper.

“Aron Baynes really encouraging. Can move laterally, great defensively, offense has been better than we thought.” said Coach Stevens about the Aussie thus far in the pre-season.

Those are words that could never have been said about Perkins. He played his role on the 07-08 Celtics team as an interior defender and glass cleaner. Perk could not shoot effectively outside of the paint (10-31 from shots 10 feet outside paint to three point range).

Importance of Role Players

None of Perkins career stats will amaze you, but his presence in the lineup was valuable. Boston was missing Perk during the 2010-2011 NBA Finals Game 7 against the Los Angeles Lakers. Perkins was lost to a torn ACL in Game 6 and veteran Rasheed Wallace had to start in his place (Wallace got exposed, Lakers won the championship, Celtics fans were left disappointed).

Players like Aron Baynes or Kendrick Perkins are important to championship-caliber teams. They assume the primary duties of rebounding and rim protector, allowing others to provide the offense. Baynes will need to take the leap in terms of improving his rebounds and blocks per game (4.1 and .4 respectively through 14.1 minutes per game during his career). If he does, fans will begin to love the addition of #46 for the Celtics in 2017-2018.

Horford-Baynes, Garnett-Perkins Final Thoughts

Boston’s front court for the 2017-2018 campaign looks very comparable to that of the 2007-2008 championship team. Horford and Baynes will be playing alongside All-Star talents in Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. This will allow them to be key contributors by playing to their strengths. Garnett will go down as one of the Celtics biggest acquisitions in franchise history and it paid immediate dividends. The team captured Banner 17 during his first season with the team.

Perkins was a valuable role player for the Celtics when they last were competing for championships. This was because he allowed Garnett to play his natural position. Baynes could have the same effect in the starting lineup this season. Starting the other new-comer Marcus Morris would force Horford to play Center. The Celtics would have to take that into consideration if they decide not to start the Aussie.

Boston has a similar front court situation to the 2008 Championship roster. Playing alongside the additions of various new talents provides the ability to compete for Banner 18.

Boston Sports Extra

By Boston Fans, For Boston Fans