Apparently, after showing up at practice running a very high fever, Pierce was sent to see the medical staff (mostly just to keep him away from the rest of the team) and is questionable for tonight's game at the Portland TrailBlazers. Not what a team thats already started this west coast trip 0-2 needs to hear. Obviously, Pierce was huge the last time these two teams met, drilling the game winner as time expired. If he can't go, I'm guessing Ricky Davis would step into the starting role.
Believe it or not, but I like it when a star player is out for a game or two. It gives you a chance to see what the rest of the guys are made of, and who steps it up. If PP doesn't play, then maybe Doc will "find something" in another player. Also, it could serve as a wake up call for Pierce if they win big, and Ricky has a big game in his spot.
You know, I was thinking the same kind of thing: they win big and maybe Pierce sees the value of team effort and all that stuff. But in the end I'll say the same thing I said when Doc benched Pierce in the Milwaukee game before putting him back in - at the end of the day, this team need to win more than it needs anything else. Finding out who can step up is great and all, but winning cures what ails you like nothing else.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">at the end of the day, this team need to win more than it needs anything else.</div>See, I almost disagree with that because of how bad the division is. The team we're chasing is only at .500, so we have it better than most of the other mediocre teams. Sure, everybody needs to win games, but I think we have a little bit of extra leeway to "experiment". I have no problem with Pierce sitting out. Simply put, it hasn't been working that great with him, so why not let him rest and see if his bad habits really are getting in the way of Doc's offense like everyone is saying they are? IMO, this isn't a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" situation. I think most people would agree that this team hasn't met expectations.
Pierce is playing, but resting more than usual. We're getting our asses handed to us on the boards and no one can seem tol find the inside of the rim.
Yeah, Payton just hit the first 3 ball for the C's late in the 4th. They are now 1/13 shooting 3's. Celts are getting killed on the boards, but still somehow lead in 2nd chance points. We're shooting 37% and we're minus 17 on the boards right now, but still winning.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 44Thrilla:</div><div class="quote_post">Sure, everybody needs to win games, but I think we have a little bit of extra leeway to "experiment". I have no problem with Pierce sitting out. Simply put, it hasn't been working that great with him, so why not let him rest and see if his bad habits really are getting in the way of Doc's offense like everyone is saying they are? IMO, this isn't a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" situation. I think most people would agree that this team hasn't met expectations.</div> The reason I think winning now is more important is because if this team goes around 10 games under .500 (and look at the schedule coming up, very possible) then Payton will want out. He already says this is his only year here, if they start tanking he'll ask out. I know its only one game, but they're already on a losing streak. This is when a snowball becomes an avalanche. The Knicks are coming together, they could easily go on a run. As for tonight: Pierce's flu caught up with us late in the game. He clearly didn't have his legs under him when he missed that three that would have put us up by 8 with around 3 minutes left. I gotta say this, if Gary wants 'more control' on the floor, that should include knowing how much time is on the shot clock and at least making sure that they getting a shot off.
