I don't know this guy. But he got to have some potential to be called Baby Shaq instead of Baby Tractor Traylor. If he is good, draft him so we can use Cato as trade bait. High school star showcases skills for Rockets By MICHAEL A. LUTZ, AP Sports Writer May 28, 2003 HOUSTON (AP) -- Kendrick ``Baby Shaq'' Perkins is studying the NBA while the NBA studies him. Perkins has said he might skip college and go straight from Beaumont Ozen High School in Texas to the pros -- and he is a possible first-round pick in the June draft. He can change his mind as late as June 19 and still attend college as an amateur. ``Right now it's 50-50. I'm going to keep on with these workouts and trying to get ready and that's it,'' Perkins said Wednesday in Houston, where he worked out for the Rockets. He worked out earlier this week for the San Antonio Spurs. Perkins' 6-foot-11, 290-pound frame earned him his nickname and comparisons to Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal. ``I'm working on my conditioning to see where I'm at,'' Perkins said. ``There's really no pressure on me, it's a win-win situation. If I don't like where I'm at (in the draft) I can always go to college, so I'm not losing either way.'' In order to protect his amateur status, Perkins has been paying his own way to the workouts. He doesn't have an agent, either. The Rockets don't have a coach or a first-round pick in the draft, but they worked Perkins out at the team's practice facility as a courtesy to the player and to gather more information for their scouting journals. Andre Boutte, Perkins' high school coach, is helping his star pupil through the workout process. ``What he's doing now is getting some workouts in to see just where he is,'' Boutte said. ``We're confident that he's skilled enough to get the job done. What he's doing is putting on exhibitions for those who have to decide. ``We're going by feel. After this workout we'll try to work out another one.'' Dennis Lindsey, Rockets vice president of basketball operations and player personnel, conducted the workout. ``It's always been our stance that these guys should go to school, but he's a talented guy and we feel out of loyalty, him being a local kid, to work him out and show him what the process is all about,'' Lindsey said. Perkins led Ozen to a 96-3 record in his final three high school seasons. He averaged 27.5 points, 16.4 rebounds and 7.8 blocks per game last season, when Ozen lost in the state championship game to Fort Worth Dunbar. Boutte has mentored Perkins since his junior high days. He hopes Perkins is ready for the next step. ``I don't think any kid at 18 years old is ready for what the world has to offer,'' Boutte said. ``I'm 40 and I still get surprised. You don't think you're ever ready. It's how you go about things after something has happened. ``As far as him being levelheaded and making good decisions, I'm confident he can do that. But with any child, going to the service and being stationed in Chicago or going off to college in California, you still have concerns.'' Perkins has signed a letter of intent to play for Memphis and coach John Calipari. Perkins thinks his decision will come right down to the June 19 deadline. ``Coach Cal? I talked to him last week,'' Perkins said. ``He said he's happy for me whatever I decide. He's just happy for me.'' http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-rockets-babyshaq&prov=ap&type=lgns
I've followed Kendrick Perkins for a couple of years now and I thought that he would have made a bigger name for himself this year. He is "large" and comes from a single parent family having lots of influence from his preacher and coach. Last year he was considered to be one of the two top Texas prospects along with the young man from Dallas. I got the impression that he would definitely go to college first, and I am curious to know how his work out went.
I saw him and he looked good in the workout. He has some basic moves. He is already huge...6-10, 285. That's big. Way more developed than Eddie...I'd like to draft him if possible.
Houston Rockets scout Brent Johnson, right, talks with Beaumont Ozen High School star, 6-11, 290-pound Kendrick "Baby Shaq" Perkins during workouts, Wednesday, May 28, 2003, in Houston. Though the Rockets don't have a coach they still continued their talent search Wednesday by working out Perkins, who has declared for the June NBA draft. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)
If you are drafting in the 2nd round and you have a team that is in the Rox situation. I think it would be wise to draft mostly on potential. I think that would be better then a senior in college where you pretty much know that they are only going to get a little bit better then they are right now. But if you draft a young high school kid or young euro guy you might end up with nothing but you also might end up with something really special.
like Kobe Bryant...or Amare Stoudemire. This is just a 2nd round pick. They usually do not have an impact. If he is available, I would draft him.
Reads similar to the article in this thread: <a HREF="http://bbs.clutchcity.net/php3/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58178">Rockets working out potential draftees tomorrow</a>
I don't know...according to the profile on nbadraft.net, he "...doesn't always play aggressive during games, and has a tendency to play down to the level of his competition..." These have been problems with the Rockets in the recent past, so I would hate to see them draft someone who would just perpetuate that, even if it's in the 2nd round. On the other hand, you can't teach someone to be big...
I saw Perkins play at the HS championships. I said it then, and I still believe it now -- he should've gone to college. He has ALL THE SKILLS. This guy could be a GREAT GREAT GREAT player. He can run the floor as well as any big man I've seen in college or HS, he passes better than 95% of the big men in the pros, he's got nice post moves, good hands, etc. His problem -- desire. He doesn't put enough effort out when he is playing. He doesn't get after it on defense, he doesn't put 110% into rebounding, he settles for jumpers on offense. Kendrick Perkins has the skills to be a spectacular player, but he lacks the most important skill -- that between the ears. He's a great talent, but that's it right now. I think college would've done him a world of good. However, if he gets in with Larry Brown, I think he'll be forced to learn heart and desire. I'd pick him in a heartbeat in the 2nd round. As a PF, he'd be great. Or even as a backup C and perhaps future trade bait.
The article says he won't be available. If he doesn't think he'll go in the first round then he'll withdraw and go to college. Rockets won't have an opportunity to draft Perkins. They worked him out as a courtesy and build their journal if he jumps in the draft in later years.
