The Beauty of the Beast

More photos » by Phelan M. Ebenhack - AP Perkins has a good grip on things Browse more photos » We've all watched Kendrick Perkins grow up.  When he was drafted, he was a big, raw, doughy piece of clay.  The Celtics sat him out to dry for a year or two and in that time the trainers and medical staff turned him into granite.  Since then the coaching staff has been chiseling away at his game little by little, turning him into a legit NBA starter.  When Kevin Garnett and Tom Thibodeau arrived and started preaching defense, it was like Perkins found his calling and his destiny. Of course Kendrick himself deserves his full share of the credit too.  He's been patient, coachable, and hard working all along.  There are no ego problems with Perk.  In fact, he is one of the more outspok...