<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">WALTHAM -- If coaching doesn't work out for Doc Rivers, he has a future as a diplomat or poker player. He gamely answered questions yesterday about Paul Pierce with a smile, though the fractious nature of their relationship was laid bare for all to see last season. ''I do want him back," said Rivers. ''I look at Paul and he had his best year of his career last year because of the changes we made. He realizes that. He understands it wasn't easy for him to do. And there were times where he didn't want to do it. I don't think he gets enough credit for doing what I asked him to do, even though I thought at times he didn't want to do it and didn't enjoy doing it. But he did it anyway. This year, when he comes in it will not be new. He knows what we want and I think it will be easier for him to do. ''I didn't think the Magic should have traded Tracy [McGrady]. I didn't think the Lakers should have traded Shaq [O'Neal]. I think you keep your best player. There are times where it's just at a point where things don't work for him or you or whatever. We're not at that point. We're not even close to that. Paul's a very good basketball player. Where we are is we have to keep trying to build around Paul. We have to get more talent for Paul. You're only as good as who you play with."</div> Source
I said once before vthat we should trade Pierce. Someone should have slapped some sense into me when I said that. And I stil can't beleive I traded him in my Mock Offseason. I agree with Coach Rivers. A team doesn't trade or get rid of it's best player. The Celtics are now starting to surround the veterans with talented youth with potential. I say keep Pierce around for the ride. He will help groom the younger players into their roles as well as lead the team. We need Pierce.
You can't put any weight into things that Doc and Danny say about Pierce at this point. I guarantee they are shopping Pierce and are ready to pull the trigger as soon as a good deal presents itself. What do they have to gain by admitting to that? Nothing.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 44Thrilla:</div><div class="quote_post">You can't put any weight into things that Doc and Danny say about Pierce at this point. I guarantee they are shopping Pierce and are ready to pull the trigger as soon as a good deal presents itself. What do they have to gain by admitting to that? Nothing.</div> you're letting your hatred of Pierce blind you. Im somewhat unbias about Pierce. I just want what's best for the Celtics and Im telling you that so do Danny and Doc. They wont tell the truth if theyre going to trade him but that doesnt mean that everything nice they say about him is automatically a lie. Just because a few beat reporters have said things trying to sell papers doesnt mean its true. Everything Doc says in that statement is true and I gaurentee they arent looking to trade Pierce. if they got a fantastic offer theyd probably trade him but they arent making any offers i can tell u that
Wouldn't a prerequisite to letting my hatred of Pierce blind me be.....actually hating Paul Pierce? I don't hate him, I just think they're kissing his ass, just in case they can't get a deal done and he has to play for them next year.
