Berry Tramel: Kendrick Perkins should take Thunder defense to next level

You've seen this before. Thunder-Lakers. Tough, physical game. Intensity abundant. Baskets scarce. Excitement galore.

Now you know why the Thunder needs Kendrick Perkins. Not to start playing good defense. That, the Thunder can do and did Sunday in a 90-87 loss downtown.

The Thunder needs Perkins so it can start playing great defense. Come spring, come the playoffs, come another Laker post-season series, that's how you win.

You don't beat LA 105-101. You beat the Lakers 87-84. Or they'll beat you 90-87.

“Tough to score against 'em,” said Thunder dirty worker Nick Collison. “We defended them pretty well. Not a lot of easy buckets for either team.”

Just like that playoff series last April, which included scores of 87-79, 95-92 and 95-94. Average score: Lakers 96, Thunder 94.

“Exciting to watch,” said Nazr Mohammed, after his first game on the Thunder bench since being traded four days ago. “Playoff type atmosphere, with the physicality of the game.”

Thabo Sefolosha and James Harden played wondrous defense on Kobe Bryant, who needed 22 shots to get 17 points and made nary a trip to the foul line.

But just like last April, the Lakers played wondrous defense on Kevin Durant, who shot 8-of-20 and scored 21 points.

And that won't change if these teams meet in the post-season. Ron Artest and Bryant are fierce defenders, and if Durant gets past them, Redwoods Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol await in the paint.

Nope, the way to beat the Lakers — and probably the Spurs and Mavericks, too — is not to outscore them, but to outdefend. Which is why Perkins can't get in the lineup soon enough.

And the new man himself was impressed with the Thunder D. “They didn't score on us in our halfcourt defense,” Perkins said.

Page 1 of 2

1 2 Next