Kendrick Perkins
Encyclopedia
Kendrick Perkins is an American professional basketball
player who plays as a center
for the Oklahoma City Thunder
of the NBA
.
During his time with the Boston Celtics
, Perkins established himself as an important low-post defender who was capable of defending the league's top centers, despite not posting high scoring numbers.
in 2003 where he led Ozen High to four consecutive district championships and one state championship during his high school career. Averaging 27.5 points, 16.4 rebounds and 7.8 blocked shots a game as a Senior, he led Ozen to a 33–1 record, with the only loss being a 66–54 setback to Fort Worth Dunbar in the state 4A championship game. In 2003, Perkins was selected to the McDonald's All-American game for high-school players. He had originally committed to the University of Memphis
, but opted instead to make the jump to the NBA
straight out of high school.
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 Boston Celtics in exchange for Troy Bell
and Dahntay Jones
, who had been selected by the Celtics in the same draft.
During the 2004–05 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 throw
s (the game was tied). Perkins missed both, indirectly leading the game going into overtime, in which the Celtics eventually won.
After 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. He started at center for the 2008 NBA champion Boston Celtics.
In Game 6 of the 2010 NBA Finals, Perkins injured his knee and missed the rest of the game. He was inactive for Game 7, in which the Celtics fell to Lakers. According to the Los Angeles Times, he suffered torn MCL and PCL ligaments in his right knee.
Perkins did not return to the floor until January 25 of 2011, when he logged 17 minutes off of the bench netting 7 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He received a standing ovation upon entering the game in the first quarter. After coming off the bench for his first 5 games back, Perkins returned to the starting line-up Friday, February 4 in a home loss to the Dallas Mavericks. He logged his first double-double of the season with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 1 blocked shot while shooting 6 for 7 from the field in 33 minutes. On February 24, 2011, Perkins and Nate Robinson
were traded to Oklahoma City Thunder for Jeff Green
and Nenad Krstić
.
in his youth, and it was often problematic to find an alb
to fit him due to his height. He has a son, Kendrick Perkins II, born September 10, 2007.
On July 25, 2009, Perkins married his longtime girlfriend, Vanity Alpough.
| style="text-align:left;"| 2003–04
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 10 || 0 || 3.5 || .533 || .000 || .667 || 1.4 || .3 || .0 || .2 || 2.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2004–05
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 60 || 3 || 9.1 || .471 || .000 || .638 || 2.9 || .4 || .2 || .6 || 2.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2005–06
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 68 || 40 || 19.6 || .515 || .000 || .615 || 5.9 || 1.0 || .3 || 1.5 || 5.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2006–07
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 72 || 53 || 21.9 || .491 || .000 || .600 || 5.2 || 1.3 || .3 || 1.3 || 4.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2007–08
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 78 || 78 || 24.5 || .615 || .000 || .623 || 6.1 || 1.1 || .4 || 1.5 || 6.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2008–09
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 76 || 76 || 29.6 || .577 || .000 || .600 || 8.1 || 1.3 || .3 || 2.0 || 8.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2009–10
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
|| 78 || 78 || 27.6 || .602 || .000 || .582 || 7.6 || 1.0 || .3 || 1.7 || 10.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2010–11
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 12 || 7 || 26.1 || .542 || .000 || .575 || 8.1 || .8 || .2 || .8 || 7.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2010–11
| style="text-align:left;"| Oklahoma City
| 17 || 17 || 25.2 || .493 || .000 || .531 || 7.9 || .9 || .4 || .9 || 5.1
|-class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 471 || 352 || 22.4 || .561 || .000 || .601 || 6.1 || 1.0 || .3 || 1.4 || 6.4
| style="text-align:left;"| 2005
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 6 || 0 || 4.7 || .800 || .000 || .333 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || .5 || 1.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2008
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 25 || 25 || 25.2 || .585 || .000 || .678 || 6.1 || .5 || .6 || 1.3 || 6.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2009
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 14 || 14 || 36.6 || .575 || .000 || .667 || 11.6 || 1.4 || .4 || 2.6 || 11.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2010
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 23 || 23 || 25.0 || .510 || .000 || .600 || 6.2 || 1.0 || .4 || 1.4 || 5.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2011
| style="text-align:left;"| Oklahoma City
| 17 || 17 || 28.2 || .453 || .000 || .576 || 6.1 || .8 || .2 || .8 || 4.5
|-class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 85 || 79 || 26.2 || .545 || .000 || .628 || 6.7 || .8 || .4 || 1.4 || 6.4
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player who plays as a center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
for the Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are a professional basketball franchise based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ; their home court is at Chesapeake Energy Arena....
of the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
.
During his time with the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
, Perkins established himself as an important low-post defender who was capable of defending the league's top centers, despite not posting high scoring numbers.
High school
Perkins graduated from Clifton J. Ozen High School in Beaumont, TexasBeaumont, Texas
Beaumont is a city in and county seat of Jefferson County, Texas, United States, within the Beaumont–Port Arthur Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city's population was 118,296 at the 2010 census. With Port Arthur and Orange, it forms the Golden Triangle, a major industrial area on the...
in 2003 where he led Ozen High to four consecutive district championships and one state championship during his high school career. Averaging 27.5 points, 16.4 rebounds and 7.8 blocked shots a game as a Senior, he led Ozen to a 33–1 record, with the only loss being a 66–54 setback to Fort Worth Dunbar in the state 4A championship game. In 2003, Perkins was selected to the McDonald's All-American game for high-school players. He had originally committed to the University of Memphis
University of Memphis
The University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system....
, but opted instead to make the jump to the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
straight out of high school.
NBA career
The 6'10" centerCenter (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
was drafted in the first round with the 27th pick of the 2003 NBA Draft
2003 NBA Draft
The 2003 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2003 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and...
by the Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
, but was immediately traded along with Marcus Banks
Marcus Banks
Arthur Lemarcus Banks III, commonly known as Marcus Banks , is an American professional basketball player who most recently played with the New Orleans Hornets of the NBA....
to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Troy Bell
Troy Bell
Troy Delvon Bell is an American professional basketball player formerly of the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. He played at Boston College and finished as one of the greatest players in the program's history....
and Dahntay Jones
Dahntay Jones
Dahntay Lavall Jones is an American professional basketball player, currently playing for the Indiana Pacers of the NBA.Originally a student at Rutgers University, Jones transferred to Duke University...
, who had been selected by the Celtics in the same draft.
During the 2004–05 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
NBA Playoffs
The National Basketball Association Playoffs is a best-of-seven elimination tournament among sixteen teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference , ultimately deciding the final four teams who will play in the NBA Conference Finals.-Format:Following the NBA regular season, eight teams in...
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
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
. Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce
Paul Anthony Pierce , nicknamed The Truth, is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the NBA. He earned First Team All-America honors in his junior year at Kansas, and has been a starter every season since being selected by the Celtics with the 10th overall pick in the...
was ejected but Pierce was owed free throws because he had been fouled before the ejection. Under NBA rules, Indiana coach Rick Carlisle
Rick Carlisle
Richard Preston Carlisle is the head coach of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks. He has also coached the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons, and was previously a player in the NBA. He is also one of the only 11 people to win an NBA championship both as a player and as a coach.-Playing career:Carlisle...
chose to select Perkins (who had not played in the game) off the bench to shoot the crucial free throw
Free throw
In basketball, free throws or foul shots are unopposed attempts to score points from a restricted area on the court , and are generally awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team...
s (the game was tied). Perkins missed both, indirectly leading the game going into overtime, in which the Celtics eventually won.
Doc Rivers
Glenn Anton "Doc" Rivers is a former professional basketball player and the current head coach of the NBA's Boston Celtics. Rivers was known for his defense while playing in the NBA...
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
Mark Blount
Mark D. Blount is an American professional basketball player. Blount is a 7'0" tall center and weighs 250 lb , being a primarily offensive big man with a soft touch....
to the Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
, Perkins became the undisputed starting center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
for the Celtics, although he was already sharing starting time before Blount's departure. He started at center for the 2008 NBA champion Boston Celtics.
In Game 6 of the 2010 NBA Finals, Perkins injured his knee and missed the rest of the game. He was inactive for Game 7, in which the Celtics fell to Lakers. According to the Los Angeles Times, he suffered torn MCL and PCL ligaments in his right knee.
Perkins did not return to the floor until January 25 of 2011, when he logged 17 minutes off of the bench netting 7 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He received a standing ovation upon entering the game in the first quarter. After coming off the bench for his first 5 games back, Perkins returned to the starting line-up Friday, February 4 in a home loss to the Dallas Mavericks. He logged his first double-double of the season with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 1 blocked shot while shooting 6 for 7 from the field in 33 minutes. On February 24, 2011, Perkins and Nate Robinson
Nate Robinson
Nathaniel Cornelius Robinson is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder...
were traded to Oklahoma City Thunder for Jeff Green
Jeff Green (basketball)
Jeffrey Lynn Green is an American professional basketball player with the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association. Green attended Georgetown University until following his junior year, when he entered the 2007 NBA Draft...
and Nenad Krstić
Nenad Krstic
Nenad Krstić is a Serbian professional basketball player for CSKA Moscow. Krstić is officially listed at 7'0" tall.-KK Partizan:...
.
Career transactions
- June 26, 2003: Drafted 27th overall by Memphis GrizzliesMemphis GrizzliesThe Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
in 2003 NBA Draft2003 NBA DraftThe 2003 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2003 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and...
. - June 26, 2003: Traded by Memphis along with draft rights of 13th pick Marcus BanksMarcus BanksArthur Lemarcus Banks III, commonly known as Marcus Banks , is an American professional basketball player who most recently played with the New Orleans Hornets of the NBA....
to the Boston Celtics for draft rights of 16th pick Troy BellTroy BellTroy Delvon Bell is an American professional basketball player formerly of the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. He played at Boston College and finished as one of the greatest players in the program's history....
and 20th pick Dahntay JonesDahntay JonesDahntay Lavall Jones is an American professional basketball player, currently playing for the Indiana Pacers of the NBA.Originally a student at Rutgers University, Jones transferred to Duke University...
. - February 24, 2011: Traded by Boston along with Nate RobinsonNate RobinsonNathaniel Cornelius Robinson is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder...
to the Oklahoma City ThunderOklahoma City ThunderThe Oklahoma City Thunder are a professional basketball franchise based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ; their home court is at Chesapeake Energy Arena....
for Jeff GreenJeff Green (basketball)Jeffrey Lynn Green is an American professional basketball player with the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association. Green attended Georgetown University until following his junior year, when he entered the 2007 NBA Draft...
, Nenad KrsticNenad KrsticNenad Krstić is a Serbian professional basketball player for CSKA Moscow. Krstić is officially listed at 7'0" tall.-KK Partizan:...
and a 2012 first-round pick (top 10 protected) from the LA Clippers. - March 1, 2011: Signed a multi-year extension with the Oklahoma City ThunderOklahoma City ThunderThe Oklahoma City Thunder are a professional basketball franchise based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ; their home court is at Chesapeake Energy Arena....
.
Personal
Perkins is a practicing Roman Catholic. He was an altar boyAltar server
An altar server is a lay assistant to a member of the clergy during a Christian religious service. An altar server attends to supporting tasks at the altar such as fetching and carrying, ringing the altar bell and so on....
in his youth, and it was often problematic to find an alb
Alb
The alb , one of the liturgical vestments of the Roman Catholic, Anglican and many Protestant churches, is an ample white garment coming down to the ankles and usually girdled with a cincture. It is simply the long linen tunic used by the Romans...
to fit him due to his height. He has a son, Kendrick Perkins II, born September 10, 2007.
On July 25, 2009, Perkins married his longtime girlfriend, Vanity Alpough.
Regular season
|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2003–04
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
| 10 || 0 || 3.5 || .533 || .000 || .667 || 1.4 || .3 || .0 || .2 || 2.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2004–05
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 60 || 3 || 9.1 || .471 || .000 || .638 || 2.9 || .4 || .2 || .6 || 2.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2005–06
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 68 || 40 || 19.6 || .515 || .000 || .615 || 5.9 || 1.0 || .3 || 1.5 || 5.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2006–07
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 72 || 53 || 21.9 || .491 || .000 || .600 || 5.2 || 1.3 || .3 || 1.3 || 4.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2007–08
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 78 || 78 || 24.5 || .615 || .000 || .623 || 6.1 || 1.1 || .4 || 1.5 || 6.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2008–09
2008–09 NBA season
The 2008–09 NBA season was the 63rd season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, and ended on Wednesday, April 15, 2009...
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 76 || 76 || 29.6 || .577 || .000 || .600 || 8.1 || 1.3 || .3 || 2.0 || 8.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2009–10
2009–10 NBA season
The 2009–10 NBA season was the 64th season of the National Basketball Association . The 1,230-game regular season began on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, and ended on Wednesday, April 14, 2010....
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
|| 78 || 78 || 27.6 || .602 || .000 || .582 || 7.6 || 1.0 || .3 || 1.7 || 10.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2010–11
2010–11 NBA season
The 2010–11 NBA season was the 65th season of the National Basketball Association . The 2011 NBA All-Star Game was played on February 20, 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Miami Heat in six games, 4 games to 2, to win their first NBA title, and...
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 12 || 7 || 26.1 || .542 || .000 || .575 || 8.1 || .8 || .2 || .8 || 7.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2010–11
| style="text-align:left;"| Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are a professional basketball franchise based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ; their home court is at Chesapeake Energy Arena....
| 17 || 17 || 25.2 || .493 || .000 || .531 || 7.9 || .9 || .4 || .9 || 5.1
|-class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 471 || 352 || 22.4 || .561 || .000 || .601 || 6.1 || 1.0 || .3 || 1.4 || 6.4
Playoffs
|-| style="text-align:left;"| 2005
2005 NBA Playoffs
The 2005 NBA Playoffs was the postseason of the National Basketball Association's 2004–05 season.The San Antonio Spurs, the number two ranked team in the Western Conference, won the 2005 NBA Playoffs by defeating the defending champions, the Detroit Pistons, 4-3 in the NBA Finals...
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
| 6 || 0 || 4.7 || .800 || .000 || .333 || 1.0 || .0 || .0 || .5 || 1.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2008
2008 NBA Playoffs
The 2008 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2007–08 season which ended with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers 4–2....
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 25 || 25 || 25.2 || .585 || .000 || .678 || 6.1 || .5 || .6 || 1.3 || 6.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2009
2009 NBA Playoffs
The 2009 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2008–09 season. The playoffs started on April 18, 2009 with ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 14 || 14 || 36.6 || .575 || .000 || .667 || 11.6 || 1.4 || .4 || 2.6 || 11.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2010
2010 NBA Playoffs
The 2010 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2009–10 season. The playoffs started on April 17, 2010 with ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, and NBA TV broadcasting the games in the United States...
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 23 || 23 || 25.0 || .510 || .000 || .600 || 6.2 || 1.0 || .4 || 1.4 || 5.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2011
2011 NBA Playoffs
The 2011 NBA Playoffs was the postseason for the National Basketball Association's 2010–11 season. Eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualified for the playoffs, all seeded 1 to 8 in a tournament bracket, with all rounds in a best-of-seven format. The 2011 NBA Playoffs began on...
| style="text-align:left;"| Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder are a professional basketball franchise based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ; their home court is at Chesapeake Energy Arena....
| 17 || 17 || 28.2 || .453 || .000 || .576 || 6.1 || .8 || .2 || .8 || 4.5
|-class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:left;"| Career
| style="text-align:left;"|
| 85 || 79 || 26.2 || .545 || .000 || .628 || 6.7 || .8 || .4 || 1.4 || 6.4