http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/41493/20060713 pierce_agrees_to_three_year_contract_extension_with_celtics/ On the back of his re-signing with the Celtics, and the fact that he may be one of the few players of this era to stay with one team his entire career, where do you think Pierce stands on the Celtics depth chart? Celtic history is not one of my specialties, and the fact that his teams were never very successful will work against him. I think he'd be a starter on the 1986 Celtics team that beat Houston, Ainge started for them at SG. Can anybody go further back and make an argument for where he ranks?
The Celtics are rebuilding with rookies and young talent - Telfair - while Paul Pierce is in his prime. It's like they're on an NBA field trip and he's the chaperone. I dont see him ranking very high, even though he could have.
Of course he's better than Ainge but at 230 lbs I don't see Pierce as a SG. He would have had a tough time getting minutes behind Bird & McHale. I imagine if you took a look at all of the Celtics greats in history Paul Pierce would not rank very high.
Tommy Heinsohn, long time player/coach/broadcaster/butthole of the C's claimed PP is better than Bird! Ouch. Larry Legend didn't like that and I wonder why?!!
Well, he DOES rank 2nd in franchise history in scoring average, 7th in free throw attempts, 8th in three point percentage. If he plays out the rest of his contract in Boston, he should be in the top 10 in almost all the major statistical categories, which should count for something. He might even get into the hall of fame. The problem is that all the Celtic greats have played with multiple hall of famers. The best player Pierce has played with was another shooting guard in a power forward's body. I think he would make all time second team in Celtics history
True, true -- but you have to account for W's (particularly on the C's). Truth is The Truth is a premier talent.
You do have to account for wins, but when you rank individual players, you have to give more weight to individual stats than team success. Teams get wins, not individual players... Oh, and I hear the Celtics are retiring Dino Radja's number...
He's made it to the ECF and was a collapse away from getting to the Finals. I think it's unfair to say he never got them anywhere, he's similar to Nique in that way. I think he can finish as a HOF player. He is respected for his toughness, relative lack of athleticism, and heart. With that being said, it doesn't look like he'll ever be on a competitor while he's in his prime. Antoine Walker may "suck" according to most, but his chemistry with Paul Pierce was incredible. They were a great tandem. Now the Celtics are just too young to be taken seriously.
I just don't think he's that good of a player. He's never been in the elite of his position whether we're talkin about sf or sg. I think his game is too much about gunning and not about anything else or so it's perceived.
I think he is one of the more underrated players in the NBA. I go to about 10 celtics games a year, from what I see, he is one of the toughest players in the league. He goes to the hoop and take hits as much as anyone, he rebounds well for a guard/sf, can score both inside and out, doesn't have great court vision but is a willing passer. Remember when he was stabbed and almost lost his life, then came back played hard and never used that as an excuse. He only has 3-4 years left in his prime, hope they can get him some help.
How can you leave Cousy off? He's one of the greatest PGs ever. Cowens is in the Hall of Fame. K.C. Jones is in the Hall of Fame. Sam Jones is in the Hall of Fame. Tom Heinson, buffoon that he has become, is in the Hall of Fame. Bill Sharman is in the Hall of Fame. What about Jo Jo White and Reggie Lewis? Easy Ed Macauley was good enough to be traded for Russell. Dennis Johnson? What about Frank Ramsey, "The Original 6th Man?" Nate Archibald had some good Celtics years. And by the way, Walton was a scrub and 6 fouls to give by the time he got to the Celtics. The reason I wouldn't put Pierce on the first or second All-Time Celtics teams is because the Celtics have traditionally stood for a style of play that emphasizes Team over individuals. I don't see Pierce buying in to that. It may be that he's had nothing to work with and so has had to do it himself. Still, he's at best the 11th or 12th man on my All-time Celtics team.
So untrue, he went deep into the playoffs when they had a decent supporting cast. He's never been about himself, he has always been an incredibly efficient scorer. He didn't miss a game after being stabbed 18 times. He got his front teeth knocked out and went back into the game. He's always been about the team. If you put KC Jones ahead of him, I'm not sure what to tell you. Rockets fans with Yao Ming and T-Mac...BOTH of which haven't made it out of the first round should understand this. But I guess not.
