Better Career: Ray Allen vs Paul Pierce

[Doctor MJ]

Ray is the greatest 3 point shooter ever, while Pierce's career is not really that special except that he's always a Celtic. I think so far Ray Allen has the better career. Moreover, Ray has a very good chance of surpassing Pierce's 1 ring. That would enlarge the gap between them.

I think your perspective is skewed. Sure if you look at which player stands out based on a particular niche, Allen's an amazing shooter, but Pierce is a more capable all around player.

As much as I love Ray Ray, were I building my team around one of the two, it would certainly be Pierce.

[D Nice]

This is Pierce. Their careers ran fairly concurrently and Pierce was always clearly the better player. Ray has a more special place in history for his specialized skill, and is an all-time utility player, but I've got Ray in the 40-45 range and Pierce ranked top 30.

If he didn't play alongside Kobe/Carter/T-Mac he would've stood out a lot more, but as it stands Ray still hasn't done enough to close the gap. Being a spot-up shooter on a title team at this point wouldn't trump Pierce putting up bigger numbers on a conference semis/conference finals level squad, so no, a hypothetical title is moot (unless it's Boston winning it).

[JordansBulls]

Paul Pierce because of the 2008 team and him getting finals mvp and also having to go thru Lebron and Kobe in the process.

Kobe played D on Rondo/allen in that series. Lebron played vs Pierce.

Pierce had Rad man playing D. Ariza wasn't 100 percent, didn't play in the playoffs.

Just to remind you.

How does that change anything I said?

[bostonfan34]

This is Pierce. Their careers ran fairly concurrently and Pierce was always clearly the better player. Ray has a more special place in history for his specialized skill, and is an all-time utility player, but I've got Ray in the 40-45 range and Pierce ranked top 30.

If he didn't play alongside Kobe/Carter/T-Mac he would've stood out a lot more, but as it stands Ray still hasn't done enough to close the gap. Being a spot-up shooter on a title team at this point wouldn't trump Pierce putting up bigger numbers on a conference semis/conference finals level squad, so no, a hypothetical title is moot (unless it's Boston winning it).

Pretty much sums it up. Pierce has had the better career, was better than Ray in his prime, and is better now.

[bball34]

Ray >>>>>>>>>> Pierce

[Ginobili]

Ray is the greatest 3 point shooter ever, while Pierce's career is not really that special except that he's always a Celtic. I think so far Ray Allen has the better career. Moreover, Ray has a very good chance of surpassing Pierce's 1 ring. That would enlarge the gap between them.

New account huh.

[ardee]

Yes, there is, and many have argued it. The only guys who don't put Pierce in the top 5 are old guys in the Boston media who look back at the 60's - 80's with the greenest shade of sunglasses I've ever seen. Pierce is without a doubt a top 5 Celtic when his career is over. Even Tommy would laugh a thousand times over if you ever said he was better than Pierce.

Only guys above Pierce are: Russell, Bird, Cousy, and Hondo.

Yeah I meant Hondo when I wrote Heinsohn. My mistake.
Anyways the only reason people argue it is because hes currently the Celtics Captain, and indeed a Celtics all-time great. Its impossible to differentiate between eras, you have to look at what they did in that era.

What argument does Pierce have over Cowens? Cowens won more rings for the franchise while being a better individual player.

Sam Jones? Much more rings, and was an all-star himself. He was pretty crucial to those 60s rings

Theres nothing wrong with Pierce being in the tier with Heinsohn, Sharman, White. Its laughable that people think that its somehow "demeaning" or "disrespectful" as awesome as Paul is hes has very few individual accolades (4 all-nba teams), one ring, an undeserved Finals MVP. Theres a lot of off-court stuff as well but its mostly fluff. The fact is that there are a lot of guys who have given a lot to this franchise, and Paul is one of them, but hes not one of the greatest. We're the greatest franchise in basketball. We have a lot of amazing history.

Sam Jones was perhaps never a top 2 player on his team. First he was behind Russell and Cousy, and then Russell and Hondo.

Pierce has at least led awful teams to the Playoffs with Antoine freaking Walker as his supporting cast. Jones was basically a shooter, a very good one, but Pierce is versatile as hell and a much better defender. Pierce can just do more things on abasketball court. I will admit that Jones is probably one of the best game 7 performers ever.

And no my friend, you'll are not, that's the Los Angeles Lakers

[EGarrett]

Ray is the greatest 3 point shooter ever, while Pierce's career is not really that special except that he's always a Celtic. I think so far Ray Allen has the better career. Moreover, Ray has a very good chance of surpassing Pierce's 1 ring. That would enlarge the gap between them.

Pierce by far because he means something special to a franchise and he will go down as a Celtic legend. Ray-Ray's little run-out at the end is only going to harm his legacy in the most important place.

[therealbig3]

How is Pierce not a top 5 Celtic ever?

The only ones clearly better are Russell and Bird.

I'd probably take Pierce 3rd. LOL at not close to top 5.

[ardee]

How is Pierce not a top 5 Celtic ever?

The only ones clearly better are Russell and Bird.

I'd probably take Pierce 3rd. LOL at not close to top 5.

Along with Hondo and McHale, yeah.

[JordansBulls]

How is Pierce not a top 5 Celtic ever?

The only ones clearly better are Russell and Bird.

I'd probably take Pierce 3rd. LOL at not close to top 5.

What about Havlicek, Kevin Mchale and even Dave Cowens?

[ahonui06]

Pierce for sure.

He's been the face of the Celtics franchise since he was drafted by them over a decade ago, has accomplished more in the playoffs than Ray Allen and is also a much better #1 option. Pierce also has the Finals MVP and has always been loyal to his organization.

[hokageinfamus]

Career wise: Pierce Peak: Ray but not by much, Pierce's peak years were wasted on bad teams