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Paul Pierce playing D...

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:57 am
by DubaLakers
He's done a really nice job on Kobe. Is this something he pulled out of his treasure chest for this year, because he had a shot at the trophy? Along with the wizard defensive asst. coach.

I never heard anything previous to this year about Pierce being a good defender. Was he just getting no love for his D in the outer circles in previous years, or did he just not give the effort in the past? Was it because the Celtics weren't good so they'd get no press beyond a PP big shooting night or a game winner.

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:13 am
by tlee324
He has always had the abilities to play good defense, and has come up with it when needed, but for a long time he's always had to shoulder a huge load offensively that he paced himself a lot. At least that's the theory.

I recall a game vs. the Clippers where Quentin Richardson lit him up with 3 pointers... that was one of the games people reference when they want to say he's not a good defender, but those types of games weren't often and you can't always guard a good shooter... sometimes those shots just go on on those nights...

Either way, we're seeing it clearly that when he's not shouldering the huge offensive load, he can really get at it defensively. This has been going on all season, really.

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:24 am
by Fencer reregistered
What BMC said. He has the ability, but he doesn't have the conditioning to bring it all night at both ends of the floor, especially given the high-effort nature of his play.

And by the way, he was exhausted at the ends of both Game 3 and Game 4 this series, to the extent that he burned a timeout in Game 3, and Doc was afraid to go to him on the last play tonight.

My wife asked me why Pierce's body language was so terrible during one of the last timeouts. I thought it was because he was exhausted, and Doc later pretty much confirmed that.

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:33 am
by Al n' Perk No Layups!
Pierce was an excellent defender during the Obie days. It was when the team was horrendous and had no shot of competing he slacked off.

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:34 am
by IEcelticfan
too much steak or prime rib @ lawry's

or was it Roscoe's??

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:58 am
by Spin Move
Early in his career (his first 3 years) he was a very good defender and got hype for it, since then he has saved energy on the defensive end to try and carry his teams offensivly this is the first year he has been able to focus on defense becuase he has help, he helped contain lebron and he is doing a great job when gaurding kobe (so is ray, but with more help) he has always had the ability but becuase he had to put so much out on the offensive end.

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:59 am
by Spin Move
Fencer reregistered wrote:What BMC said. He has the ability, but he doesn't have the conditioning to bring it all night at both ends of the floor, especially given the high-effort nature of his play.

And by the way, he was exhausted at the ends of both Game 3 and Game 4 this series, to the extent that he burned a timeout in Game 3, and Doc was afraid to go to him on the last play tonight.

My wife asked me why Pierce's body language was so terrible during one of the last timeouts. I thought it was because he was exhausted, and Doc later pretty much confirmed that.


He gaurded Kobe and scored like 15 points in the 2nd half, he had every right to be winded at the end of the game.

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:50 am
by MoBSTa
Paul Pierce is The Truth and he sufficated Kobe tonight. After The Game Kobe turn three shades of yellow and three shades of purple and said we wet the bed.

Sounds like Kobe blaming young teamates to me. But this lose should go on kobes shoulders for not ralling his teamates.

May be he was just wiery from lack of oxegen, or may be Gasol will get tired of Kobes acts and send him to the Hospital.

Some one needs too because he surely choked on the defence of The Truth. Shaq's Redemtion is soon coming I believe.


Sorry had to put that in there.

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:56 am
by rambo_ortega
it's just that he doesn't need to carry the team on his own shoulders offensively for 48 minutes. plus, having guys who are focused on defense inspired his defensive game

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:42 am
by GuyClinch
Paul Pierce..

1) Is MUCH better athlete then people give him credit for being. He once claimed he was the teams best athleteIt's something about his herky jerk style that makes people think he is slow. He is not really slow at all, IMHO.

2) ALWAYS considered himself a good defender. LAST year he was campaigning for all defensive team. He told people (who mocked him) that he would be all-defense if he had a guy like J O'neal backing him up.

he hasn't achieved that status - but I imagine he might next year..

Pete

Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:38 pm
by Datruth345
its a travesty he didn't make the all-defense team this year