Here at Roomofzen, we hold the work of Kendrick Perkins in high esteem. His tough, physical play not only embodies the spirit of the Celtics, but has also been a crucial part of their recent success. He has developed into one of the most feared interior defenders in the NBA. He has done this quietly, as his name rarely mentioned by members of the national media when they discuss the Celtics. For this reason, we decided that we wanted to find a way to show Perk how much we appreciate him. He's getting married on Saturday, and a wedding present seemed to make perfect sense. So, we scoured the Internet, found his wedding registry, and purchased him an electric burger maker:
It seemed like the perfect gift: well-suited for a man who relies on his size and strength to keep the opposition out of the paint.
We received word this morning that the burger maker was returned, and that our money would be refunded. We're not really sure why our gift was rejected, but we accept this decision with no hard feelings. Perhaps Perk just didn't feel right about fans spending money on him when he is already rich. Perhaps he is trying to stay trim in the off season, and thinks that this gift could cause him to put on weight. Perhaps he was upset that our card only spoke of the hard work that he puts in, and mentioned nothing of his wife to be (you can only use 180 characters). I am also fully aware that he may just feel creepy about someone he doesn't know sending him a wedding gift. It would certainly be understandable.
All of these reasons are plausible. While we may never know what Perk was thinking when he sent back the burger maker, I'd like to think that his reasoning was rooted less in the nature of the gift itself, and more deeply connected to the nature of his being and the reasons why he plays basketball. Many NBA stars use their talents to build up themselves up into icons. Their fame and their desire to be treasured and exalted by the fans and media seem to be the driving force behind their success. They take on nicknames, endorse shoes, and develop signature moves all in an effort to become household names. In an ironic twist, these incredibly strong, rich, and talented men spend an incredible amount of time worrying about what we ordinary people think of them, and how they can make us like them more.
Perk is a different type of player. He will never be a superstar, because his game is far too practical for today's market. He fights for rebounds, he keeps opposing big men out of the paint, and he makes sure that nobody gets to the rim easily (even if it means a technical foul). Many see no glory in this work. But, men like this change games, and over time they change the fortunes of teams. Their work is thankless, and it requires incredible strength of character. Like all of those who do noble work, Perk must resign himself to the belief that he receives his fulfillment simply in knowing that his work is important and that it is appreciated by his teammates. He must not get drawn in to seeking approval from the fans and media, as this can only lead him to a dark place. Soon, he might be trying to change his game to please the fans, losing part of his own identity and effectiveness in the process. Accepting a burger maker from people that you don't know would be one step down the dark path. I understand that, and we certainly don't want him to compromise his integrity.
Again, I am fully aware that he may have just been creeped out. But, unless we get to talk to him, we'll really never know.
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