Pierce has lost his first step

GonzoLays · Post #1 » by **GonzoLays** » Wed Feb 6, 2008 3:23 am

Anybody else seeing this? Pierce use to be able to go to the hole at will but now, I've seen him have trouble taking a PF off the dribble. Maybe not that drastic, but everyone here can agree he has a lot more trouble getting seperation to the basket than he did a year ago.

Now Pierce is a smart enough player to compensate for that lost step, but it is troubling to know nonetheless.

Maybe his first step isn't as good because he is actually playing defense and exerting too much energy on that end of that court. Who knows.

Post #2 » by **Bleeding Green** » Wed Feb 6, 2008 3:34 am

I haven't noticed, unless you're just referring to tonight's game.

Duganov 34 5 20 · Post #3 » by **Duganov 34 5 20** » Wed Feb 6, 2008 3:34 am

Dude, leave him alone. The guy almost threw up on the court.

GonzoLays · Post #4 » by **GonzoLays** » Wed Feb 6, 2008 3:39 am

Duganov 34 5 20 wrote:Dude, leave him alone. The guy almost threw up on the court.

I'm not talking about tonight's game; talking about the season.

screwedupmaniac · Post #5 » by **screwedupmaniac** » Wed Feb 6, 2008 3:43 am

GonzoLays wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

I'm not talking about tonight's game; talking about the season.

um, you mean last season? after having a near stress fracture in his foot and getting fat during the season?

if so, i agree.

grantlongforpresident · Post #6 » by **grantlongforpresident** » Wed Feb 6, 2008 3:44 am

unnecessary and reactionary

Datruth345 · Post #7 » by **Datruth345** » Wed Feb 6, 2008 3:45 am

lol

ibtl?

Manexx · Post #8 » by **Manexx** » Wed Feb 6, 2008 3:46 am

Paul should trim some fat and he should be ok for 3 more years

Rocky5000 · Post #9 » by **Rocky5000** » Wed Feb 6, 2008 3:46 am

Other than tonight. No, I haven't noticed. Even tonight he was able to get to the basket and dish to BBD for a nice layin, but he did have a couple moments where he appeared stuck in his sneakers.

GuyClinch · Post #10 » by **GuyClinch** » Wed Feb 6, 2008 4:47 am

I agree with Gonzo - Paul has lost some explosiveness. Still he is an excellent NBA player... However notice how many fewer in game dunks he gets nowadays. he used to have a surprising number of them - now it's mostly layups.. He is adjusting his game with his advancing age..

freakon0mics · Post #11 » by **freakon0mics** » Wed Feb 6, 2008 7:12 am

He's just getting older. Back then, he use to jump out of the gym and dunk on people. Now its layups and pull up jumpers. He's listening to what his body is telling him.

Post #12 » by **tlee324** » Wed Feb 6, 2008 7:43 am

It's Doc's fault.

Post #13 » by **tlee324** » Wed Feb 6, 2008 7:44 am

BTW: No, I don't think he's lost his first step at all.

BillessuR6 · Post #14 » by **BillessuR6** » Wed Feb 6, 2008 9:01 am

Not at all. He can get to the basket against anyone...

bruno sundov · Post #15 » by **bruno sundov** » Wed Feb 6, 2008 11:47 am

Everytime I say this I get lit up. All year Pierce hasn't had that real explosion finsihing at the basket, like we used to see. He is not finsihing with dunks now but layups. Still finishing at the same rate as last year.

Ever since he hurt his foot last year, he hasn't had that real explosiveness going to the basket. I don't think it's a concern yet. He is just as quick as previous years and obviously still the man. Especially after that performance last night when he was really sick.

DorfonCeltics · Post #16 » by **DorfonCeltics** » Wed Feb 6, 2008 3:46 pm

I think it's more him losing his "ups" rather than his first step. He is still able to blow by defenders with great regularity it's finishing with a layup instead of a dunk that people might be noticing. As long as he's finishing with 2pts, I'm happy.

daveisceltics · Post #17 » by **daveisceltics** » Wed Feb 6, 2008 4:15 pm

The man is sick.
Give me a break.

GuyClinch · Post #18 » by **GuyClinch** » Thu Feb 7, 2008 12:01 am

I think it's more him losing his "ups" rather than his first step. He is still able to blow by defenders with great regularity it's finishing with a layup instead of a dunk that people might be noticing. As long as he's finishing with 2pts, I'm happy.

I dunno. Didn't he get to the line more two years ago? Back in 2005-2006 his last healthy year he went to the line for 812 shots in 79 games. This year he has been to the line for 293 shots but he has played 45 games.

Now that's not entirely fair - because..he is playing with better players and taking less shots overall. But still my gut feeling is that game is becoming more perimeter oriented and he is not slashing as much as he used to.

I love Pierce - don't get me wrong. He is still very effective. But I think it's a natural progression..He really was alot more explosive then he was given credit for several years ago..

Pete

Post #19 » by **sully00** » Thu Feb 7, 2008 5:28 am

Two things, I have noticed with Paul is that he is getting to the front of the rim, that just wasn't allowed going against triple teams. I don't remember him dunking a lot in the lane that way most of his dunks seem to come from the baseline.

The problem with dunking isn't going up, it is coming back down (like I would know). That may be what he is trying to eliminate overall he seems to have taken less risks with his body this season, see you all in April.

But I think the opposite as far as his ability to take opponents off the dribble, I have really enjoyed watching his ability to get by guys off the dribble this season, he is just letting it come to more than any other time in his career.

tombattor · Post #20 » by **tombattor** » Thu Feb 7, 2008 9:26 pm

WTF? What's with all these trash threads?