[MRArtman2uParticipant]

Kendrick Perkins understands the interest in the Lakers — he’s just not concerned. Not only is Perkins unfazed, but he also echoed several of his Thunder teammates who already have refuted the notion that the Lakers are now the team to beat in the West. "We are the Western Conference champs," Perkins said. "So at the end of the day, we’re not chasing nobody except for the ring.

We’re chasing Miami to get a championship. It’s no guarantee who is going to be where. But we earned the Western champs so we’re not chasing the Lakers, we’re chasing a championship and that’s what it’s about." Perkins and [Dwight Howard] developed a rivalry from their days battling in the East, Perkins with Boston and Howard with Orlando.

[BostonkingsParticipant]

 I love Kendrick Perkins, he’s always been a favorite of mine. He is super straight up, and imo, he’s right. OKC are the reigning WCF champs, not the Lakers, I expect to see them in the Finals again this year, good post.

[NbanflguyParticipant]

Obviously he has never watched sportscenter or any other sports related show. If he had he would know that the Lakers are the greatest franchise in world history. Every year the Lakers are championship favorites and everyone in the world loves them! Go Lakers!!!

[BostonkingsParticipant]

nbanflguy, ^^ that is a joke right????

[NbanflguyParticipant]

Omg yes it was a joke.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Perkins is right,they are the defending Western Conference Champs until they’re defeated ..But you cant ignore a team like the Lakers that have the 2nd best player in the nba,the best center in the league,1 of the most versatile power forwards to ever play,Nash a guy that despite being 37 in still a top 5 point guard in the nba and an improved bench…OKC might also have trouble getting past the Clippers and Memphis ,if all of their players can stay healthy…

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

I may be wrong,but I didnt hear anything about Perkins working out anywhere..If he wants to Backup his toughman talk,and make OKC unstoppable..He should be learning  some post moves,and try to increase his rebound numbers..OKC  played better in the playoffs last season when he was on the bench…

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

Okc was better without Perkins period. His PER was 14 which is below the average of 15. Collision and serge were better than perk and serge

[frogmanParticipant]

Okc was better without Perkins period.

I read this a bit differently than how you meant to interpret it.  And if you think about how upset and moody Perkins gets on the court you will understand why I just cracked myself up!

 

[omphalosParticipant]

When I look at arguably the three best teams in Miami, OKC and LAL it reminds of the classic game of rock-paper-scissors.

OKC (scissors) should beat LAL (paper) because Russ will abuse Nash, Durant proved he isn’t bothered by MWP anymore, and the Thunder frontline is very well placed to blunt the Laker attack in the paint with Perkins a guy who has always been able to guard Dwight 1v1 and make him work, and Serge quick and athletic enough to bother Pau at the PF. Thabo has the length and quickness to bother an older Kobe, the Thunder bench is stronger and the Thunder get a lot of baskets in transition and on jump shots, which lessens Dwight’s defensive impact.

LAL (paper) should beat Miami (rock) because Miami is weak defensively against teams which are strong up front, nobody in their frontline could handle the Howard/Gasol combination inside, Bosh would almost immediately be in foul trouble, as well as contributing very little, and defensively Dwight is probably the only big man in the NBA who will give Lebron problems going to the rim because he’s every bit the athlete that he is, and Artest has the strength not to get bullied in the post defensively (where Lebron has had success lately), plus Nash will run rings around Chalmers.

Miami (rock) will beat OKC (scissors) for the reasons we’ve seen, OKC depends very much on their perimeter attack, transition game and interior D, but Miami has so many great outside shooters that they can render Perkins useless again, and neither Perk nor Ibaka has the offensive ability inside to punish Miami for playing the small-ball which saw them have so much success in the post-season on their championship run. Lebron can bother or at least match Durant, the Heat can run with any team in the NBA, and their defensive pressure makes it very difficult to rely on isolation scoring. Plus, the stamina of Lebron and Wade means the Heat can shorten their rotation come the Finals and the lack of depth becomes less of an issue.

So to sum up, Miami’s best chance of beating the Lakers is letting the Thunder do it for them, and thank God they aren’t in the same conference, because I honestly believe the Heat would lose to the Lakers in a seven-game series.

Also, this is relative to this post because Perk isn’t just talking out of his *ss, the Thunder are well-equipped to emerge from the Western Conference again this season, and he’ll be a big part of it with his ability to defend Dwight without help in the post.

[joecheck88Participant]

 That is one of the best analogies ever!! Haha. It makes perfect sense. I mean OKC can beat Miami but Miami got them this time. 

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

"So at the end of the day, we’re not chasing nobody"

That also explains their lack of help defense in the Finals. If LeBron blows past his man, we’re not chasing him. It doesn’t matter if the rim was getting hurt because of it.

[Jlv2012]

Just a bench player who talks tough.  His impact on the game is relatively small now.  I’d like to hear it from Durant, Westbrook, or Harden.

[Author]

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