Any Celtics fan still feels the sting of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Lakers. That series wasn’t just a loss, it was a wound that never fully healed. Even now, fans can’t help but wonder: What if Kendrick Perkins hadn’t gotten injured? What if he was on the court to slow down Kobe? Turns out, Tony Allen shares that exact thought. He firmly believes that if Perk had been there, the outcome might have been completely different. And honestly? He’s not alone in thinking that.

Kendrick Perkins and Tony Allen were both part of the Celtics’ 2008 championship squad, a team built on defense and toughness. They ran it back in 2010, but this time, fate had other plans.

Tony Allen didn’t just reminisce about his battles with Kobe Bryant on a recent episode of the Club 520 Podcast—he gave us a what-if that’ll have Celtics fans shaking their heads. Sure, he talked about Kobe’s relentless, cold-blooded mentality, the way the Mamba never took his foot off the gas. But here’s the twist—Allen believes the 2010 Finals might have had a completely different ending if Kendrick Perkins had been healthy.

That’s right. According to Allen, Perk’s absence wasn’t just a setback; it might’ve been the deciding factor in that brutal seven-game showdown.

Tony Allen broke it down perfectly. He said, “I was able to just lock in, watch Kobe’s jab step, watch his footwork in the post, watch his fake head, fake head, fake head because my rookie year, I fouled out.” Allen continued, “But it took years and years and years and years of studying the man (Kobe) and…that’s how I was able to key in on him.” Allen admitted that while he managed to stop a few of Kobe’s deadly attacks, it was nowhere near enough. The Mamba was just built different.

Tony didn’t hesitate for a second. On the podcast, he confidently declared, “But if Perk wouldn’t have got hurt, bro… Swamp thing—swamp thing wouldn’t have got hurt.. we would have won the championship.” No doubt in his mind.

But here’s the thing—the room wasn’t entirely sold. Some nodded in agreement, but others? Not so much. It was one of those “hmm… maybe” moments.

So now, it’s your turn. If Kendrick Perkins had been healthy, would the Lakers still have walked away as champs? Or would the Celtics have flipped the script and stolen the title? What’s your take?

Kendrick Perkins’ Role in the Celtics

Kendrick Perkins had a 14-season NBA career, suiting up for four different teams. But when fans hear his name, one team comes to mind, the Boston Celtics. Standing 6’10”, Kendrick was drafted 27th overall by the Grizzlies in 2003 but was immediately traded to Boston. Over time, he earned a reputation as one of the league’s toughest big men, becoming a crucial piece of the Celtics’ defensive core.

His defining moment? Starting at center for the 2008 championship squad. Boston’s physical, no-nonsense approach fit Perkins perfectly, making him a key enforcer on that legendary team. But in 2010, disaster struck. Kendrick tore his MCL and PCL in Game 6 of the Finals against the Lakers, forcing him to miss Game 7. Without him, Boston fell short, leaving fans wondering what if he had been healthy.

Perkins eventually returned in 2011 but battled injuries that slowed him down. After retiring in 2018, he seamlessly transitioned into a career as an NBA analyst, where his no-filter takes continue to spark debates.