The Celtics moved Perkins and Nate Robinson to Oklahoma City Feb. 24, 2011 for Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, and a 2012 first-round pick. Perkins was coming off a torn right ACL sustained during the 2010 Finals and a strained left MCL just days before the trade.
Saying he thought the team needed more energy, team president of basketball operations Danny Ainge gambled on Green’s potential and trusted aging centers Jermaine O’Neal and Shaquille O’Neal, as well as Krstic, to replace Perkins. The move turned out to be a failure, as neither O’Neal proved healthy enough to play consistent minutes and Krstic tailed off after an early spurt.
The Celtics lost part of their soul in Perkins, their true enforcer whose scowl became as prominent as his no-nonsense personality and his low-post defense. He was drafted as a pudgy 18-year-old from Clifton J. Ozen High School in Beaumont, Texas. He spent his first season working himself into shape, becoming a professional and adapting to the NBA life before emerging as the starter.
For five-plus seasons, Perkins was the anchor of the Celtics’ defense, using his burly frame, fearlessness, and improving skills to emerge as one of the league’s top defenders at center. And those working-class Bostonians identified with Perkins’s style and toughness.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers said just last week how his team lacks toughness; Perkins is now the defensive anchor of the 11-2 Thunder.
“That will be tough for me, that will be different,’’ Rivers said about seeing Perkins on the other side. “Perkins is a Celtic. I don’t [care] what uniform he has on. He’s a Celtic for life. And he knows that.’’
Perkins said he still talks with Rivers twice a week and assumes that it wasn’t Rivers who urged Ainge to trade him. It was Ainge’s call, and Rivers approached the deal with an “I hope you know what you’re doing’’ mentality with Ainge.
The ties between Perkins and the Celtics remain strong. He was given a standing ovation when he returned to Harvard for Rajon Rondo’s charity game in November.
