Doc believes too much in Truth during his bad games..

ValuedCeltic · Post #1 » by **ValuedCeltic** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 3:43 am

Why does he take the last jumper? It's because Doc has this love affair with Paul as long as the celtics are down only one. Also, Doc, paul is 4-11 at this point. Why not let Ray or RR have a shot at it? Sometimes (like today), the whole "if you miss, the next will go in" philosophy did not apply here. I know Paul has come up in the clutch maybe 4834243090854 times during his career, but when he's having a bad game, does he really need the ball in the most important time of the game? In particular situations, I remember the Clippers game last year (i was there) where he clunked up a jumper while being 3-11 or 4-11, with about 19 ticks left.

BRUNiNHO91 · Post #2 » by **BRUNiNHO91** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 3:47 am

Specially since the best 1 on 1 defender on the Sixers was guarding him...Ray Allen should have had a play ran for him..but what do you expect from a coach that plays Scalabrine 6 minutes of the 4th quarter??

But if they really wanted Pierce to have it, he should have went to the basket to try and get to the FT line..

Banks2Pierce · Post #3 » by **Banks2Pierce** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 4:18 am

That was a good look and Paul backrimmed it. How many times in his career has he hit that one? Too many times to count. I'm fine with it. It's not even like Iggy contested it very well.

SichtingLives · Post #4 » by **SichtingLives** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 4:31 am

Paul def. didn't have it going for him tonight. I don't have a problem with him having the ball in that situation anyway, but I would've liked to see him attack/drive or try to make something happen instead of just settling for a 20 foot fall away. Even so, it was a makeable shot and he almost hit it. That's the breaks. The thing about shooting around 50% is that the other half don't go in.

To the point of Doc, he's definitely operating from deep within the confines of his security blanket with the Paul ISO. He's pretty adamant that in that situation, the ball needs to be in Pierces hands. I don't disagree but it could stand some modification from time to time. Then again I remember a nice PNR to Garnett for a game winner not too long ago, so there ya go.

Jammer · Post #5 » by **Jammer** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 5:21 am

Normally, I have no problem with Pierce taking the last shot,

except on a night when he has 9 points in 34 minutes, which is Red Flag number one,

and when he's going against the opposing team's best defender, Red Flag number 2.

I wish Doc would have put the ball in Pierce's hands with the plan
that Pierce dish off to someone, who then dishes off to a 3rd person
(the player you really want to take the shot).

Usually Doc factors both of those things in.

Ortho Stice · Post #6 » by **Ortho Stice** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 6:01 am

I predicted what would happen on the last play (save for Ray Allen's offensive rebound and shot). Called a Pierce fadeaway that'd clank iron. I would say I'm a prophet, except I'm sure most Celtics fans knew how it'd end, too. Pierce looked asleep during the whole game and I wish someone more involved like Ray Allen took the shot, especially since he's hit several game winners in the past.

exculpatory · Post #7 » by **exculpatory** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 7:22 am

[quote="ValuedCeltic] I know Paul has come up in the clutch maybe 4834243090854 times during his career, but when he's having a bad game, does he really need the ball with 7 seconds left.[/quote]

I knew a thread like this would surface. Pierce underappreciation strikes again. It is hidden and latent when he excels (which is most of the time), but ALWAYS resurfaces when he slumps, or misses the random clutch shot. bull!!!!

You answered your own question. He gets the ball because he has proven himself to be one of the most clutch players of his generation - and not just with tons of gamewinning shots but gamewinning ASSISTS as well. Check 82games.com. I give him the ball 99 times out of a 100 in the same scenario because of his proven track record. He had an off game tonight. So what. He had a good look at the end and missed. So **** what! We lost this game for alot of reasons well before the last 10 seconds.

People, just **** chill out, stop bitching, and appreciate what the **** we have in the Truth.

We will win the next x games in a row, and Paul will be instrumental in winning most of them.

Merry Xmas and happy Chanukah!

PP 4 Three · Post #8 » by **PP 4 Three** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 7:06 pm

I knew as soon as Pierce didn't hand the ball of to Ray, that we were going to lose the game. You can't expect contested jumpers to go in crunch time just because your Paul Pierce.

celticfan42487 · Post #9 » by **celticfan42487** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 7:22 pm

Because Pierce is our only triple threat player.

Ray Allen can't dribble. Nor can he pass.

When you are down 1 with the ball, you give it to a player that can create his own shot so as to not take chances on tough defenses intercepting a pass or forcing the receiver of the pass into a bad position.

They do this all over the league guys; come on now.

We're just lucky that Pierce not only creates his own shot but is an excellent shot taker, an excellent foul drawer, and is the only guy in the league that can make the pass as well as willing makes the pass in that situation to the open man.

celticpride17 · Post #10 » by **celticpride17** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 7:26 pm

I think the reason the celtics keep losing on friday nights is because they are thinking about the party they are going to after the game.

ryaningf · Post #11 » by **ryaningf** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 8:16 pm

Paul got the shot he wanted, and simply backrimmed it. Can't complain too much about that, you can't make every shot.

That said, if I were Doc, I would have played AGAINST tendencies on that last play--instead of faking the handoff to Rondo, I would have just given it to him and let him get to the rim against Holiday...let the bigs crash the glass, and then curl Pierce off a pick if Rondo's stopped at the rim.

The Sixers knew exactly what we were doing and we could have played against that to get an easier shot.

exculpatory · Post #12 » by **exculpatory** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 8:40 pm

PP 4 Three wrote:I knew as soon as Pierce didn't hand the ball of to Ray, that we were going to lose the game. You can't expect contested jumpers to go in crunch time just because your Paul Pierce.

Read my post again, and the excellent and perceptive post that followed by Celticfan42487 about Paul being our only triple threat. Yes you frigging CAN expect him to make the gamewinning play (shooting or passing or drawing the foul) most of the time. That is exactly why Paul is considered by many in the game to be one of the most clutch players of his generation. The shot was easy. He backrimmed it. So **** what. Check 82games.com for the top players in the league over the last 5-10 years ranked according to last minute or two gamewinning SHOTS or ASSISTS. You will find Melo right at the top I think and Paul right up there.

Ryan, your post was strategically interesting, and I could have easily lived with that also. You are a smart dude.

Ed Pinkney · Post #13 » by **Ed Pinkney** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 9:05 pm

I have no problem with Pierce taking the last shot, even if he hasn't been shooting well during the game. What drives me crazy is how often the shot is like the one he took. You spend 47 minutes and 50 seconds running your sets, moving on the court, setting picks and back picks, running secondary options etc and then just because it is the end of the game, everyone flattens out and lets Pierce iso at the top of the key or the elbow with no movement from anyone else, no secondary options etc.

That's just bad basketball because even if you are the best jump shooter in the league you are only making that shot one out of every two times (at best).

exculpatory · Post #14 » by **exculpatory** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 9:15 pm

Ed Pinkney wrote:I have no problem with Pierce taking the last shot, even if he hasn't been shooting well during the game. What drives me crazy is how often the shot is like the one he took. You spend 47 minutes and 50 seconds running your sets, moving on the court, setting picks and back picks, running secondary options etc and then just because it is the end of the game, everyone flattens out and lets Pierce iso at the top of the key or the elbow with no movement from anyone else, no secondary options etc.

That's just bad basketball because even if you are the best jump shooter in the league you are only making that shot one out of every two times (at best).

Agreed Ed. It fits exactly with what I have been saying. Especially since KG and Ray arrived, but also before that, Paul has been and is WILLING and ABLE to make the gamewinning pass/assist during crunch time - if someone frigging moves and pops open off a pick. By the way, check to see who made the gamewinning pass/assist to Ray Ray when he made the gamewinning shot for us at least 5-10 times since he arrived. Wanna bet it was Paul Pierce the majority of the time? It was. Great post!

FunnyMan · Post #15 » by **FunnyMan** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 9:24 pm

No no no. That is a great look for Paul on any night on or off. Do that again and he hits it for sure. That is his shot and a lot of his big clutch shots were during bad games because he just turns it on in the end clutch time. I'm sure barely anyone from coach, players, and fans has any problem with that shot. Was a great look and Paul's type of shot. In any clutch situation Paul is still and should be The Guy.

exculpatory · Post #16 » by **exculpatory** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 9:59 pm

FunnyMan wrote:No no no. That is a great look for Paul on any night on or off. Do that again and he hits it for sure. That is his shot and a lot of his big clutch shots were during bad games because he just turns it on in the end clutch time. I'm sure barely anyone from coach, players, and fans has any problem with that shot. Was a great look and Paul's type of shot. In any clutch situation Paul is still and should be The Guy.

Exactamente. Spot on. It is TRUTH of the matter regarding the TRUTH! Welcome to our board, FunnyMan!

Al-Haqq · Post #17 » by **Al-Haqq** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 11:31 pm

Lol ... I'm glad Pierce took the shot. He is by far one of if not the best clutch player in the league - which is why Pierce came in 2nd in a poll to Kobe regarding which player you want taking your last shot [player's poll]; even though Kobe has a far lower game winners % ... but nevermnd.

The only other option I semi-liked was Rondo driving fast and hard to draw defenders, but other than that, Pierce usually makes that shot.

Ray Allen cannot create any space for himself so in a smiliar position if he hadn't turned the ball over he would have been blocked.

The only time when Ray makes game winners is when Pierce finds him.

The ball NEEDS to go to Pierce. He is far too reliable. Allen is not - if he's open different story, but never should we give him the ball to get a shot off for the win.

exculpatory · Post #18 » by **exculpatory** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 5:51 pm

Al Haqq - you are COMPLETELY on the mark!

By the way, I enjoy all of your posts. Keep it up!

Where do you live? I am in DC area.

Ex

FunnyMan · Post #19 » by **FunnyMan** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:13 am

exculpatory wrote:
FunnyMan wrote:No no no. That is a great look for Paul on any night on or off. Do that again and he hits it for sure. That is his shot and a lot of his big clutch shots were during bad games because he just turns it on in the end clutch time. I'm sure barely anyone from coach, players, and fans has any problem with that shot. Was a great look and Paul's type of shot. In any clutch situation Paul is still and should be The Guy.

Exactamente. Spot on. It is TRUTH of the matter regarding the TRUTH! Welcome to our board, FunnyMan!

Thank you brother. I am a Bucks fan because I am in Milwaukee born and raised but probably a bigger Celtics fan for the last 10 years. Will be jumping into the Celts' forum from time to time for sure.

Celtics
2010 NBA Champions