Mick Cronin Has Big Dilemma on His Hands

This season Trent Perry is averaging 10.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while shooting a very good 46.2% from the field along with a decent 38.5% from three. Perry has been a great bench player for the Bruins this season, averaging 23.1 minutes per game.

In his last two games as a starter, he has averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and two assists, while shooting a decent 41.6% from the field. His uptick in production has prompted serious questions regarding whether Trent Perry should be the starting shooting guard over Skyy Clark.

While this stat line is hypothetical and contingent on Perry maintaining his current averages, he would project to 19.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists if he were playing 30 minutes per game—roughly the same amount of minutes Skyy Clark averages per game.

Those averages would easily make Perry the Bruins' highest scorer this season. For reference, the Bruins' current leading scorer is Tyler Bilodeau, who is averaging 17.5 points per game, while playing on average 30 minutes per game. Perry's efficiency is undeniable.

Pro-Cons of Starting Perry

This is no slight at Skyy Clark, his impact this season has been incredible. This season he is averaging 13.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, while shooting a good 47.4% from the field and a ridiculous 48.6% from three. His three-point shooting is something Perry cannot replicate.

The only true downside from starting Perry over Clark is the three-point shooting that Clark offers. In a era that favors the three point shot, Clark's impact as a starter makes the most sense. However, Clark has proven to be very spotty with six games under double-digit scoring as a starter this season.

Starting Perry does not mean that all of Clark's minutes will be erased. Quite the opposite, with Perry seeing more minutes Clark still should see 20-plus minutes per game, still sustainable minutes that will provide enough opportunity for Clark to be impactful.

The only clear reason that Perry should start is to fix the Bruins' slow starts this season. Perry offers a consistent string of scoring that Clark has had trouble replicating. If Clark misses another game, this should give Perry ample sample size to prove that he is worthy of the starting bid.

Overall, this decision falls squarely on Mick Cronin. Both players bring skill sets the other has struggled to replicate, but as it stands, Perry’s ability provides something the Bruins need right now.

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