Kendrick Perkins was recently signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers to fill in the last spot on their playoff roster – not to be the Scottie Pippen to LeBron James’ Michael Jordan. Perkins’ role with the Cavs is expected to be minimal, acting only as an insurance for Kevin Love, Larry Nance Jr., and even Tristan Thompson.
Perkins’ value to the team is not going to be measured by tangible stats, however, with the Cavs seemingly not intent on giving the veteran big man significant minutes on the floor. Instead, he’ll busy himself providing the Cavaliers a much-needed moral support. He’s already started doing that in fact.
Following the Cavs’ deflating 98-80 loss in Game 1 of their first-round matchup with the Indiana Pacers at home on Sunday, Perkins encouraged his team, albeit in a vulgar (and probably unintentionally hilarious) manner, per Emmett Golden of ESPN.
Kendrick Perkins showed his value in the locker room following the game. He was a sounding board for LBJ and also let the new guys know, “ain’t nobody tripping on no one f***in game bruh.”
Although the Cavs’ dropped their playoff opener, they remain as the favorite to win their best-of-seven series opposite the Pacers. If they are going to do so, though, they will have to find a way to iron out their offense. In Game 1, Cleveland shot just 38.5 percent from the floor and recorded a horrendous 23.5 percent shooting from behind the arc. Perkins is not going to solve the Cavs’ offensive woes, but he’s hoping his rhetoric could help his team get back into form.