Though they're on top of the Atlantic conference and have beaten the Kings, I have not liked the playof the team especially Pierce. Then today in the Globe there was an article from Jackie MacMullan about the same thing. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">WALTHAM -- He is the lone All-Star left standing, and with that comes a multitude of expectations and duties. Some of them, Paul Pierce can readily fulfill. Others may never fall under his jurisdiction, despite his own best efforts. Now that Antoine Walker has been removed from the basketball equation, Pierce is expected to score, to defend, to explain, to lead, to assume responsibility for all that is good and all that is bad about the Boston Celtics. There is little doubt Pierce has the talent to deliver on the basketball court. But can he also be the leader this team can rebuild around? Can he replace Walker as the voice in the locker room, as the vocal motivator his teammates look to at the most critical junctures of the season? </div> These were the very things I was thinking. I don't understand how Pierce's scoring has gone down so much. Let's say Vin baker and Mike James combined take up Toine's shots. Then pierce should be shooting amnd scoring as much as last season. His shooting percentages have dipped while his shots per game has remained the same. I know his assists have gone up, but most people were expecting more points from him. Hopefully he can break the slump Monday against the Knicks.
This article is pre-mature and is not giving Pierce enough credit. Pierce has been the leader of this team for the last few seasons with his clutch shots and agressiveness. The Celtics are still in a transitioning period. They are still learning to play without Walker, and they have 4 new starters this season. The Celtics are still tied for first in their division and 3 of their 4 losses have come against superior teams, Nets, Hornets, and Pistons. Pierce is shooting a lower FG% because his shot selection has been bad, mainly do to defenses being able to focus on him. He has done a great job of becoming the play maker for this team and I think he is doing an admirable job of leading the Celtics.
Keep waiting for Pierce to bust out but it just doesnt seem to be happening. Its gonnna take a while. this may be more of an off year than last year for Pierce. Once the fast break becomes and actual realltiy other than a dream. Teams will not have time to decide to go and double and tripple team Pierce because theyll have to focus on their own man and that is when Pierce will start sccoring like he used to if not better.
Just as shape said, when you play Boston, you focus on Pierce. You let Mike James and Vin Baker beat you, and both have stepped up very well in my opinion. Paul's shot selection has never been great by any means, and not having Walker to help him out will hurt that even more, so that pretty much explains the FG% debate. Pierce will be fine, this team just needs to learn where to go when Paul gets those double teams, they will have to cash in on those open shots.
Give the guy a break. If he was the leader of a team like the Magic(1-9) then start getting mad, but the team is in 1st place. Obviously he's doing something right if the Celtics are sitting in 1st place.
