Q & A

By Bill Eichenberger

updated 12:44 a.m. ET Jan. 7, 2009

Despite his imposing 6-foot-10, 280-pound frame, Kendrick Perkins is easy to miss in a Boston Celtics starting lineup that features Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and rapidly maturing point guard Rajon Rondo. But he's an important piece of the puzzle, supplying needed muscle, interior defense and rebounding to a team that is off to a 29-7 start, despite losing five of its last seven games. He talked to sportingnews.com's Bill Eichenberger before Sunday's 100-88 loss to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

SN: What's your role on this team?

Perkins: It's really rebounding, playing defense and finishing around the basket when I get the opportunity. That's about it.

SN: Has it changed any from last year?

KP: No, not at all. I just think I have gotten better at it. The thing is you have to be able to do something special to be in the NBA. You have your scorers. You have your defensive stoppers. You have your rebounders. So just to find your role and perfect it is the key.

SN: How's your left shoulder? I know you are coming off surgery on it in the offseason and missed a game recently after you strained it.

KP: It's a lot better. Just steady strengthening every day, hitting the weights, getting treatment. I'm just trying to stay on top of it.

SN: Are teams playing you guys differently this year because of what you accomplished last year?

KP: I think so. You can see the intensity level when they come out. You can see the focus. They come out trying to play hard and physical. But that is our type of game. I think it is just the respect we are getting being the champs. They all come out and want to beat the champs. So every game is like a playoff game.

SN: What have you learned about being an NBA player by being a teammate of Kevin Garnett?

KP: I've learned a lot, so much on and off the court. You really just learn how to bring it every night, to play at a high level. That's the main thing. Forget how talented he is and the stuff he teaches me every day, it's the mental part of the game where he excels.

SN: Is your growing reputation as a trash talker justified?

KP: Who, our team?

SN: No, you. Do you talk a lot of trash on the court?

KP: I didn't know that. KG probably talks more noise than me.

SN: Is physical intimidation part of your game?

KP: I believe so. That has been me since Day 1. That was me in high school. Nothing's changed. I just go out there and try to be myself. That's what has made me the type of player that I am.

SN: How would you describe yourself as a player?

KP: A physical player who plays defense and tries to lock down, rebound, go hard. Just try to finish around the basket.

SN: Which opposing player is the toughest matchup for you?

KP: Right now it has got to be Dwight Howard because he's also a physical guy. Other than that I don't think there is anybody in the league that is stronger than me.

SN: Which team has impressed you the most?

KP: It's got to be the Magic. They are underrated. They don't get talked about enough. They have one of the better records in the East. Matter of fact, we are only like two or three games ahead of them. There's a lot of talk about Cleveland, Detroit. I don't think the Magic get enough props.

SN: How big of a factor is Coach Tom Thibodeaux to the success of this team?

KP: He's a huge factor. He's in the gym from 5 in the morning to 6 at night every day. He knows his stuff too. He's really a defensive coach. He's like a specialist on the defensive side.

SN: What have you learned from him?

KP: I've just learned how to be a better defender. I think I was already a pretty good defender. He's trying to make me into a great defender. He works with me every day on getting better at doing the little things. Hopefully, one day he will be a head coach.

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