HoopsHype.com Rumors

Kristina Leahy: Just caught up w Perk. Says he still keeps in touch with Rondo and KG... and with a huge smile, Doc. Misses Boston but loving time in OKC Twitter @KristineLeahy

Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kendrick Perkins 

“We just ain’t come out with the right mind-set as a team,” Perkins said. “Defensively, we had too many breakdowns. It’s not like us to give up 101 points, especially if you look and see the Wizards only average like 86 or 88 points and we gave up 101 today.” Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kendrick Perkins 

I’m not sure exactly what he meant, or more specifically who, but Perk said this Thunder team needs to look itself in the mirror. “I just feel like — never overreacting to a loss — we just got to start getting back to who we are as individuals,” Perkins said. “Turning off the TV and stop looking at articles on ourselves and start just losing ourselves in the team a little bit more then the sky’s the limit. We just got to start knowing what got us here and what each guy did to get us to this point. We just got to make sure we start knowing who we are and what we are and what we mean to this team as individuals and the rest will take care of itself.” Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kendrick Perkins 

Ibaka declined to discuss the matter of Stephen Jackson. He deflected all questions by saying he’s just focused on his future and trying to get better. Kendrick Perkins, who is good friends with Jackson, claimed he hadn’t heard about Jackson’s comments but said he would try to talk to Jackson when informed about the matter. Perk, however, made it a point to stay out of it by choosing to not add anything else to the conversation. Oklahoman

Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Kendrick Perkins, Stephen Jackson, Serge Ibaka 

In victory and defeat, the ball belongs to the NBA's two best 20-something scorers and everyone else is left to sort through the scraps of shots. "I get phone calls at all hours of the night from different teammates," Perkins told Yahoo Sports. "And I've got to tell them: OK, you didn't get yours tonight but… " Perkins told Yahoo! Sports. "So OK, take Serge [Ibaka]. I'll tell him, "OK man, you got seven points tonight, then you need to go get eight blocks. Some nights it's not going to be your night, where you can touch the ball. It's like that on this team, especially when you've got scorers like Russ, K.D. and Kevin Martin leading the league in scoring." Yahoo! Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kendrick Perkins, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Martin, Serge Ibaka 

Within the Thunder organization, they understand Perkins' value extends far beyond the modest statistics. These Thunder are undergoing the natural evolution of a rising power, where shots and minutes are rubbing egos the wrong way. Perkins plays the part of traffic cop, counseling in ways significant and slight. Yahoo! Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kendrick Perkins 

Ask him about playing those months in excruciating pain, and he shrugs and grumbles and says, "That groin injury, it was definitely… Ah, I don't like to make excuses, but … that groin injury was definitely a pain in the ass." For everyone else suggesting these Thunder will go to the Finals for years to come, that this young core will go on for years and years, Perkins simply says, "I was there when we lost 18 in a row in Boston. I'll never take this for granted." Yahoo! Sports

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kendrick Perkins 

Perkins couldn’t be happier on the Thunder. What’s not to the love? The team is extremely talented, close-knit and poised to contend for years to come. Perkins’ contract will keep in Oklahoma City through the 2014-15 season, but he hopes to stay even longer. He would love to finish his career with the Thunder. “I love it here,” Perkins said. “It is a business so I have to make sure I do my job and we do our job, and that’s trying to win a couple of championships. Then, the rest will take care of itself. But yes, I would love to stay here and finish my career here.” HoopsWorld

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kendrick Perkins 

Even though Oklahoma City has championship aspirations and represented the Western Conference in the NBA Finals just five months ago, they haven’t been in the spotlight nearly as much as other contenders such as the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat, but that’s fine with Perkins. “We actually like getting overlooked,” Perkins said. “We don’t like to be on the radar or be the top dog. We’re a team that tries to stay out of the limelight, but that’s difficult because we’ve got some great players on our team. We like being overlooked and it does motivate us to keep going and keep winning games.” HoopsWorld

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kendrick Perkins 

Perkins was the team's anchor for 6 1/2 seasons before the February 2011 trade and is still a wildly popular figure among fans. While other observers say the Celtics' defense, allowing a whopping 107 points per game in six losses, has not been the same since his departure. "Going against guys that you played with for a long time, won rings, went through wars with, still brothers over there," he said. "But at the end of the day, we're still trying to win games." Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kendrick Perkins 

Perkins will oppose close friend and mentor Kevin Garnett, who is now the Celtics' starting center. Garnett was the team's power forward the last time the team's met. "I'mma check him," Perkins said. "He's a brother. I take a lot of advice, I learned (from him). But we're both trying to win. One thing I know about Doc (Rivers), KG, Paul (Pierce), they're not satisfied so they're probably not satisfied with the team's defensive effort." Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Garnett 

Zach Randolph told his side of the story in an interview on ESPN radio in Memphis on Tuesday. Here is a brief excerpt: Q: What happened in the back that the NBA is fining you for, because nobody knows the story? A: “I mean, it really wasn't, I just, they said because I went through the double doors. I guess I went on their side. So I don't know.” Q: And then in the back, did you try to go in their locker room? A: “Nah, I didn't go in their locker room. It was some doors. I had went on their side. Their locker room was like right there to the left, but I had went through some doors in the hallway. And I went through the doors, but it was a lesson learned. It won't happen again. I ain't gonna lose no $25,000 again. I'm done with all that bluffing on the court, because them guys do a lot of bluffing. I'm from the bluff city. We don't do no bluffing, man. (Laughs).” Oklahoman

Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, Zach Randolph, Kendrick Perkins 

Q: Do you think Perkins got the point? Do you think he probably thought, “This guy's a maniac?” A; “(Laughs). I don't know. Perkins know me, so he know what's up.” Q: Could you whoop him? A: “(Laughs). I'm good with these hands, man. ... I'm pretty good with these hands so … Hey, every day I came out the house I had to fight, you know. Me and my brother.” Oklahoman

Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, Zach Randolph, Kendrick Perkins 

Jeff Zillgitt: NBA fines Memphis forward Zach Randolph $25K for confront Kendrick Perkins in locker room area following their ejections on Nov. 14 in OKC. Twitter @JeffZillgitt

Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, Zach Randolph, Kendrick Perkins, Referees 

As is the NBA's standard procedure, the league is investigating Wednesday night's confrontation between Thunder center Kendrick Perkins and Memphis power forward Zach Randolph at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Both players were ejected with 2:05 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Grizzlies' 107-97 victory and had an altercation in a hallway near the Thunder locker room after leaving the court. The players were separated by Oklahoma City police officers patrolling the area. Security officials later said there was no altercation and there would be no investigation, but the league office confirmed Thursday it was looking into the incident to potentially levy fines and/or suspensions for both players. Afterward in the locker room, Randolph downplayed what transpired. “It wasn't nothin',” he said. Oklahoman

Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, Zach Randolph, Kendrick Perkins 

Asked what was said on the court, Randolph refused to share details. The game was nationally televised on ESPN and a courtside microphone picked up what was said. Perkins: “I'll meet you by the bus.” Randolph: “I'll beat your (expletive).” Asked Thursday what led to the incident, Perkins said: “Just too much talking. I wasn't frustrated, but at the same time I have a problem with losing. … You do have to see this team three more times and we can't be showing no signs of weakness.” Oklahoman

Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, Zach Randolph, Kendrick Perkins 

Darnell Mayberry: Perkins on last night's incident: "It was just too much talking. I wasn't frustrated, but at the same time I have a problem with losing." Twitter @DarnellMayberry

Oklahoma City Thunder, Kendrick Perkins 

As Tommy Heinsohn said, the young core of Al Jefferson, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, Tony Allen and Delonte West were “like puppies: Every time you saw them, you wanted to pet them.” “We used to have a lot of laughs together, because when I was here, things weren’t going too well as far as winning,” said Jefferson. “But we always had the locker room live with me, [Rondo], Tony Allen, Kendrick Perkins and Delonte West. We all kept it live, and we were fun guys to be around. In the time we were here, when we were losing, we hardly ever got blown out. It was always close games, but we were just such a young team, we didn’t know how to finish those games. I knew if we could’ve stayed together, things could’ve got better for us.” WEEI.com

Boston Celtics, Al Jefferson, Rajon Rondo, Delonte West, Kendrick Perkins, Tony Allen 

Marc Stein: NBA spokesman says league is investigating Wednesday's reported confrontation in OKC hallway between Zach Randolph and Kendrick Perkins Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, Zach Randolph, Kendrick Perkins 

Darnell Mayberry: After getting ejected in the 4th quarter, Kendrick Perkins & Zach Randolph had an alteration near the locker rooms. Police investigating. Twitter @DarnellMayberry

Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, Zach Randolph, Kendrick Perkins