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Looking Back at Kendrick Perkins’ Impact With the OKC Thunder

ByJoshua Lea|

Kendrick Perkins‘ impact on the Thunder is noted and widespread. Perkins was a player that brought toughness to the Thunder in post. Now, Perkins is just one game away from reaching his fourth NBA Finals with the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

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Perkins has played for three different teams, reaching the Finals with each of them. In Boston, Perkins went 1-1 in two Finals appearances with the Celtics, beating the Lakers in 2008-09 and losing to them in 2009-10. Some argue that Boston could have won back-to-back Championships if Perkins played game 7 in the 2010 NBA Finals (while he recovered from torn ligaments in his knee).

In 2012, Perk was the defensive anchor that helped the Oklahoma City Thunder reach their lone Finals appearance, where they were eventually defeated by the Miami Heat. Perkins spent five seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder; no doubt he was loved by fans, players, and media. Perkins had some great moments with the Thunder. When you first look at his stats you’ll realize, they aren’t jumping off the page.  Averaging just over five points and 6 rebounds per game, Perkins contributions were on the defensive end. He was brought in to Oklahoma in 2011 to do one thing, help beat the Lakers. The Lakers had Andrew Bynum and Perkins was big enough to bang with him down low and cause some disruption in the Lakers “triangle offense”.

However, in 2011 the Lakers became almost a non-factor in the western conference. Once head coach Phil Jackson left the team the Lakers slowly started to fall apart. Perkins was still solid on the block defensively, and his presence in the locker room is something that teammates from Boston and Oklahoma City respected. Perkins did a lot for the Thunder fan base and the Thunder team. When he was traded, he played it classy and sent out this message to the team and fans:

One of the most noted facts about Perkins was his ability to play on the defensive end. In 2014, when the Thunder played against the Rockets, he held Dwight Howard to 4-of-13 for 9 points, 5-of-13 for 11 points, and 4-of-12 for 9 points. He was also responsible for guarding Zach Randolph in those classic battles between OKC and the Memphis Grizzlies. One particular highlight for Perk was at the end of regulation during Game 2 of the Conference Semi-Finals:

Which leads to the question: Did Oklahoma City make the right decision parting ways with Perkins? Is there something to be said about a guy who has played for three different teams in the NBA Finals? Maybe Cleveland shouldn’t count, as Perkins is rarely-used role player at this point in his career.

Its no secret that Perk had his fair share of critics, both locally and nationally. Criticism was based on some offensive woes that included a noted lack of scoring, non-existent footwork, inconsistent free-throws and, sometimes, just catching the ball.

This caused people to question the five year $40 million deal that he signed in 2011. However, what Perkins did on the defensive end and in the locker room was enough to earn his keep. Despite the local and national media who requested Perkins be waived via the “Amnesty Clause” back in 2013-2014, Perkins still suited up and handled business on the court. You have to respect a guy who took a verbal punch day-in and day-out and still showed up for work the every day.

The fact remains that Perkins was a core piece in the Oklahoma City bloodline. With all the moves and the transformation that the Thunder have encountered, is it safe to say that Perkins should have stayed. After all, he has had some great moments in the Thunder uniform.

Assuming Perkins’ stint in Cleveland only last one or two seasons, it’s not crazy to think OKC would re-sign him for the veteran minimum. It would be the end-all classy move for Sam Presti and the Thunder organization.

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