Daily Thunder.com

Layne Murdoch/NBAE/Getty Images

It’s a key in any good mentor-protege relationship. You need a strong, vocal leader with experience. It’s why Jerry was such a good mentor to Bania. It’s why that ovaltine stuff killed.

And it’s a lot of the reason Serge Ibaka has taken such a leap the past few weeks. He has a mentor. A big, scary, mean mentor that’s pushing him, teaching him how to play with an edge.

The impression Kendrick Perkins has made on Ibaka has been obvious. Much in the same way that Kevin Garnett schooled Perk in the ways of nasty, physical, intimidating play, Perkins has begun to impart that same wisdom on Ibaka.

“Perk does a lot for him,” Kevin Durant said recently. “You can hear him say ‘Serge, go block that’, and Serge just automatically responds and he goes and blocks it. I think it’s just that little push there with a veteran guy down there with you. They’re playing well together. He’s gotta keep it up.” Read more…

Commentary Kendrick Perkins, Serge Ibaka

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images

Most everyone said it when the Thunder acquired Kendrick Perkins. He’s going to bring something different to town. He’s tough, he’s big, he’s physical and he’s not shy about speaking his mind. If Chris Bosh is a fake tough guy, Perkins is every bit of real tough guy as you can get. And in a locker room that’s mostly tight-lipped with every cliche down pat and ready to use in any situation, Perkins has a candidness that we haven’t really ever seen here.

In the newest issue of ESPN the Mag, Perkins and Kevin Durant were both asked a couple of the same questions with both having mostly differing opinions. All of it was pretty interesting, but the question, “Lakers: Team to beat or old news?” brought out the best in Perk.

“Yesterday’s news,” he said. “I don’t like Pau Gasol or Phil Jackson. Phil is arrogant. Pau is soft. Kobe tries to bring out his toughness, but he’s still soft.”

Well then.

Durant’s answer? “They’re the reigning champs and still playing like it.” See the difference there? Like I said, Perk might take a little getting used to. I actually wondered to myself if these quotes were even real or if I was missing the point of some kind of fictional, made up quote piece.

Other interesting answers: Read more…

Commentary Kendrick Perkins

AP Photo

UPDATE: Via Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, Perkins’ extension is for four years, $34.8 million. That’s $8.75 million per year.

So much for that “he doesn’t really want to be here” stuff.

The Thunder announced that Kendrick Perkins has signed a multi-year extension. Terms were not disclosed, though those will come out soon enough.

“We had a unique opportunity to enter into discussions with Kendrick to solidify his future with our organization,” said Sam Presti in a press release. “We are pleased to know that he will be a part of our core group now and in the future. Kendrick’s blue-collar, team-first approach aligns with the vision we hold for building a sustainable team in the Oklahoma City community.”

Perkins (6-10, 280) owns career averages of 6.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 1.0 assist and 22.3 minutes in 454 NBA games. He has appeared in 12 games (7 starts) this season with the Celtics before being traded to the Thunder on February 24th, averaging 7.3 points and 8.1 rebounds in 26.1 minutes. The center has appeared in 68 career postseason games, averaging 6.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 25.7 minutes.

Perkins, originally selected in the 2003 NBA draft (27th overall) by the Memphis Grizzlies and then traded to Boston on draft night, was a Parade and McDonald’s All-America at Ozen High School in Beaumont, TX. He helped lead Ozen to a 96-3 record during his final three seasons, averaging 27.5 points, 16.4 rebounds and 7.8 blocks as a senior.

So why now? Why did Presti ink Perkins so quickly? It’s a bit complicated. Read more…

Commentary, News Kendrick Perkins