I can sort of deal with Ray Allen getting hurt and Kevin Garnett playing like he's got led weights in his Antas, but the hardest part of watching the first few games of the year has been seeing Paul Pierce look pedestrian. That's my Captain out there. Thankfully, he looked a lot more like The Truth yesterday.
Green Street " Paul Pierce’s breakout game
All things considered, we had yet to see the Paul Pierce that we’ve grown accustomed to watching over the years. He appeared hesitant handling the ball, and like the rest of the Celtics, he’s had major difficulty scoring inside where his percentages at the rim have gone from 70 to 54 percent. But against the Wizards — and yes, the Wizards are a bad defensive team — Pierce found his groove and all of his trademark moves were on display. He found his sweet spot, going 4-for-4 on elbow jumpers from the left side of the court. He worked the right-hand side for a pair of 3-pointers and another 20-footer. He also got to the free throw line 15 times and made 12 of his shots.
Pierce's game has never been predicated on athleticism, but he does need some degree of lift and speed to get to his spots. Here's hoping he's in shape and ready to contribute for the rest of the season (and won't be slowed down by too much nagging pain in that heel).
Truth can’t be silenced - BostonHerald.com
“That’s the Paul we’ve been missing,” Rondo said. “He played great. We believe in him, and we’re going to continue to believe in him.”
"I guess Paul’s in shape," coach Doc Rivers said jokingly. "We talked about it before the game. You could see it coming. I didn’t see it coming today already, but it was great."
Oh yeah, and silly trade ideas aside, please don't trade Paul Pierce.
0 recs | 7 comments
Yesterday's game was great to see.
But being ‘back’ on an overall sorry, rebuilding team is only the more reason for Danny to trade him.
clover - January 23, 2012
We are not going into rebuilding yet
If Pierce and Rondo play like all stars and we have all that cap space, we are not rebuilding, we are reloading.
European NBA fan - January 23, 2012
Reloading? DA hopefully disagree
Howard is not coming, the other FA are tier 2. Do you think wasting money on tier 2 FA is gonna help this team?
Btw, Pierce is not an all-star anymore (scoring 34 against the worst team in the league and with RA and RR out doesn’t make him an all-star).
The fact that ppl around here are SO happy after a W against the Wizards (worst team in the league) is the best proof there is that this team is done.
lepooo - January 23, 2012
I said "if"!!!
Pierce was an all star last year. You write him off after coming back from injury and out of shape. I think it’s fair to say that we can’t make the judgement now. Give it another ten games.
You don’t realize how good a position we are in with all that cap space. A lot of players will be available through trade for trade exceptions, simply because other teams need maneuvrability. So it’s not only free agents you should look at.
I know a lot of people only consider building for championships, because of the Celtics tradition, but I wouldn’t mind watching some decent basketball, while Danny collects the right trade assets.
Some people sound like getting rid of the Big 3 will solve anything. It won’t. Not in itself.
European NBA fan - January 23, 2012
"Oh Captain my Captain".....
PAUL PIERCE – CELTIC – RESPECT
Master Po - January 23, 2012
Danny needs more chips
Before Danny got Ray and KG, he collected chips for several years (Even 2nd round picks are chips). I was on a site the other day that listed what each team had coming and Danny has already got lots of chips on the way, some thru 2013 and 2014. If he does break it up this year, it will be for more chips I’m sure.
The draft is just so unpredicable. Most years, there is not a true great player available. And you may have the most and lowest picks and still lose out. (we C’s fans sure know that). So free agency and trades may have a better way for Danny to use his chips. From what I’ve seen so far on Draft Express etc etc. there is no ‘great one’ available in the 2012 draft.
Dipper - January 23, 2012
I agree that Danny's collecting chips--and future chips that can actually be used before they are realized.
Draft picks in both the pre- and post-pick form are among them. The draft IMO is not only useful for a once-in-a-few-years megastar prospect.
Danny’s plan A, getting a superstar and hopefully an auxiliary third All-Star with cap space by this next offseason, appears to be receding from reach. But I doubt he’s completely given up on that quite yet, he’s just also working toward more patient plans B and C at the same time.
clover - January 23, 2012
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