May 28, 2008
Game 5 - NBA Eastern Conference Final
May 26, 2008
Game 4 - NBA Eastern Conference Final
Kendrick Perkins (born November 10, 1984 in
Nederland, Texas) is an American professional
basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the NBA.
The 6'10" center/power forward was drafted in the
first round with the 27th pick of the 2003 NBA Draft
by the Memphis Grizzlies, but was immediately traded
along with Marcus Banks to the Celtics in exchange
for Troy Bell and Dahntay Jones, who had been
selected by the Celtics in the same draft.
During the 2004-2005 season, Perkins received more
playing time than he did his rookie season, and
became known as one of the tougher players on the
Celtics. He had a limited role during the regular
season and playoffs as the team's "enforcer".
Perkins was involved in an unusual scenario in the
final seconds of regulation in Game 6 of the 2005
Eastern Conference First Round against Indiana, Paul
Pierce was ejected but Pierce was owed free throws
because he had been fouled before the ejection.
Under NBA rules, Indiana coach Rick Carlisle chose
to "select" Perkins (who had not played in the game)
off the bench to shoot the crucial free throws (the
game was tied). Perkins missed both, then went back
to the bench for Overtime, which the Celtics
eventually won.
Perkins (right) dunking over Brendan Haywood of the
Washington WizardsAfter marked improvements during
summer training and practice, Perkins earned more
playing time from Coach Doc Rivers during the
2005-06 season. He played some of the best games of
his career in 2006, repeatedly reaching double
figures in points and rebounds. After the trade of
Mark Blount to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Perkins
became the undisputed starting center for the
Celtics, although he was already sharing starting
time before Blount's departure.
