Why OKC Thunder Should Be Excited to See a Leaner Kendrick Perkins

There are several words you could use to describe Kendrick Perkins: grumpy, large, sweaty, intimidating, misunderstood. One thing you can not call him, however, is lazy.

You might not agree with me if you had watched him play last season. Thunder fans will recall him lumbering up and down the court and getting out-jumped for rebounds, especially during the playoffs, leaving many questioning general manager Sam Presti's decision to bring him to OKC.

In his defense, he was coming off a knee injury that rendered him inactive for months before finally taking the floor for the Thunder. Being that far out of shape, he probably shouldn't have even been playing when he was. You try and keep that man off the floor, though.

At the conclusion of last season, Perkins promised head coach Scott Brooks he would lose a much-needed 20 pounds before he came back to camp. At the time he was pushing 300 lbs.

Upon returning to camp last week, the 6'10" Texan blew by his goal weighing a full 30 pounds lighter while looking very fit. There are videos all over the web of Kendrick's rigorous offseason workouts that show his regained athleticism.

What does this mean for the Thunder?

It means we get to see the real Perk. The Perk that was top 10 in blocks for the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 seasons. The Perk that started at center for the 2008 NBA Champion Celtics. The tenacious defender and rebounder known for his power and work rate in the paint.

Given the fact that he is at his lightest in his career, we may see a new level of athleticism from him. No more laboring down the floor, sucking wind at the free throw line, lazy fouls or two-inch verticals.

Think dunks... and lots of them. Big, nasty rim-rockers that will fire up the sellout crowds at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Kendrick's improvements give the Thunder a more than formidable front court that includes 6'10" Serge Ibaka, a player with infinite potential who will probably lead the league in blocks for the second year in a row. Between the two of them, it is going to be very difficult to get a shot off near the basket this season.

The lighter version of Perkins is also better suited for the compacted season we are all about to embark on while also alleviating pressure on his rehabilitated knee. Those back-to-back-to-backs will be much easier to handle with his lighter frame.

His offseason workouts are a win-win-win situation; a win for the organization, for himself and for the fans.