Kendrick

Perkins

He had two big blocks on Jermaine O’Neal, while contributing six points and five rebounds. He’s ready to step into the role Al Jefferson had been filling while Jefferson mends his high ankle sprain.

Pretty cool gesture. Perkins is the only physical presence Boston has inside, but is at least a year away from making significant fantasy contributions.

“It was Kendrick Perkins and Al Jefferson night,’' said Paul Pierce. “Our young guys came in and really grew up a lot today, man. I think Perkins really did a great job with his defense, coming in and kind of changing the game.” Perkins finished with three points, seven rebounds, and three blocks in 15 minutes. The future in Boston looks bright with youngsters like Perkins, Jefferson, Delonte West, and Tony Allen.

Perkins had played just six minutes over two games in his latest stint on the active roster.

He was hurt last week while working out at the team’s practice facility, and dislocated the same shoulder late in a practice in February, causing him to miss 13 games. He should be good to go for the start of this fall’s training camp.

He was wearing a sling after recent surgery on his left shoulder and the plan is for him to wear the sling for another 3 1/2 weeks, but he can start working out on a stationary bike in about two weeks. Danny Ainge says he’s going to be 100% for the start of training camp.

“I’m anticipating that he’ll be given the full go-ahead to go full-speed in about a week,” Danny Ainge said. Perkins will compete with newcomer Theo Ratliff for the starting center job, but it’s too early to get a feel for who has the inside track for the job.

“I can’t play, but I’m out of the sling so that’s a good thing,” said Perkins. ``It feels normal. It’s skinny, but it’s all right.” He’s lost some muscle mass in the arm and has been working out at the team’s training facility. He’s been riding a stationary bike, using the StairMaster, and lifting weights with his right side. He should be ready for the regular season opener.

“It is great to have one of our building blocks secured for the next few years,” said Danny Ainge, the Celtics’ executive director of basketball operations. “We are looking forward to his continued development this upcoming season.” It remains to be seen if Perkins will recover quickly enough from shoulder surgery to start over Theo Ratliff. Either way, the two are likely to split time in the middle for the C’s this season.

Ibaka normally gets run on national TV and tonight was no different. He’s capable of this type of result nightly if given the minutes. Kendrick Perkins played 31 minutes and scored three points with nine rebounds and two blocks, and rounded out a fairly good week of basketball by his standards.