Q&A with Paul Pierce on Spain's Marca.com

[SuperDeluxe]

Pretty shallow stuff in general. Here's a quick translation of the more meaty stuff (not much meat, though):

Is Kobe Bryant the best player in the world right now?
I don't think Kobe's the best. I am the best. There's a line between being confident and being presumptuous. I don't cross that line, but I have a lot of confidence in myself.

Who are your five favourite players in today's NBA?
Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins and Paul Pierce.

Have you ever thought about a change of scenery?
No, never, I want to finish my career as a Celtic.

Do you think you guys can win it all again next season without James Posey and without signing any free agents?
Posey is a very good player but we have a very good team and we could win it all again without signing any players.

Do you think Manu Ginobili is an NBA great?
I would sign Ginobili if I could. He's the best foreign player in the history of the NBA.

He also mentioned that he sees the Celtics and Lakers playing in the Finals again next year, and that the Lakers will be closer with Bynum (I assume closer, but no cigar). He thanked Pau Gasol for making it possible for him to win a ring.

For those of you who can read Spanish: http://www.marca.com/charlas/pierce/24072008.html

[Gomes3PC]

That's some pretty high praise for Manu. Hope Dirk doesn't get upset!

[SuperDeluxe]

That's some pretty high praise for Manu. Hope Dirk doesn't get upset!

Well, Pierce sees himself as the best of them all, so he's clearly not a good judge of talent

[Truthiracy]

I can't believe Pierce said that about Manu, if European Defense was banned from the NBA, this guy would be no better than Sasha Vujabitch

[humblebum]

I can't believe Pierce said that about Manu, if European Defense was banned from the NBA, this guy would be no better than Sasha Vujabitch

Hype aside, Ginobli is basically on the same level as Kobe. Ginobli is a ridiculously talented all-around player. He's also clutch and a winner who's not afraid of sacrificing his game for the team. I know everyone is on Kobe's jock but there really aren't too many things that Kobe does better than a guy like Ginobli other than volume shooting/scoring.

IMO, Ginobli is easily better than Dirk (he can't score from the low block, and can be easily shut off on the drive, his defense is suspect), Pau (a little too soft inside on both ends... not good for a big man) who both have much larger holes in their games.

There might have been other great foreign players but Ginobli has produced quite a bit on the NBA level as well as the international... you have to take that into account.

[BadWolf]

I can't believe Pierce said that about Manu, if European Defense was banned from the NBA, this guy would be no better than Sasha Vujabitch

if scoring was banned, bowen would be best?

[campybatman]

Yeah, I was going to post this yesterday but decided against it. I'd translated it through Google but most of the sentences said by Pierce were incomprehensible or badly translated. The comment about him being better than Kobe when asked if Kobe's the best player in the world was odd coming from him. It didn't sound like Pierce.

[celticfan42487]

I agree that didn't sound like Pierce at all. At least I hope not. We'd see something like that statement on the wiretap if it was said to an American outlet.

[GuyClinch]

I bet Pierce was probably trying to say something like - you don't want to say that anyone is better then you are as confidence is important.. That kind of thing.

[ParticleMan]

i think that definitely sounded like Pierce. he's never been afraid to toot his own horn. the previous season during the 24-win campaign i remember he was saying something like i'm the best wing defender in the league. everyone thought he was nuts but this year, guess what, he was awesome.

i'm all for pierce's unabashed homerism. f em if they can't take a joke.

[eatyourchildren]

Hype aside, Ginobli is basically on the same level as Kobe. Ginobli is a ridiculously talented all-around player. He's also clutch and a winner who's not afraid of sacrificing his game for the team. I know everyone is on Kobe's jock but there really aren't too many things that Kobe does better than a guy like Ginobli other than volume shooting/scoring.

IMO, Ginobli is easily better than Dirk (he can't score from the low block, and can be easily shut off on the drive, his defense is suspect), Pau (a little too soft inside on both ends... not good for a big man) who both have much larger holes in their games.

There might have been other great foreign players but Ginobli has produced quite a bit on the NBA level as well as the international... you have to take that into account.

While it's possible that Manu is underappreciated...we've also not seen him play a large defensive role on his team (which Kobe does) and we've also not seen him be the 1st option throughout 82 games (which Kobe is). So it's hard to say if Manu WOULD be as productive as Kobe assuming equality in minutes and defensive attention.

The 2007-08 GM poll: Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?

1. Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers - 34.6%
2. Steve Nash, Phoenix - 15.4%
3. Tim Duncan, San Antonio - 11.5%
LeBron James, Cleveland - 11.5%
Shaquille O’Neal, Miami - 11.5%
6. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas - 7.7%


As for Pierce saying he's better...sure, he can talk whatever trash he wants because he won this year. But if you had a decent bench, Ray Allen, KG, and another swing who was better than Kobe Bryant, geez, that's like a 20-0 title run.

[GuyClinch]

As for Pierce saying he's better...sure, he can talk whatever trash he wants because he won this year. But if you had a decent bench, Ray Allen, KG, and another swing who was better than Kobe Bryant, geez, that's like a 20-0 title run.

Geez if you had an European superstar seven footer, Lamar Odom, the best player in the world and a good bench - that's like a 20-0 title run. Oh wait...snap it didnt work out. Maybe PP is pretty good.

You know I been listening to years about how Kobe is another class then PP but EVERY single time I seen him matched up with Kobe he has been able to play just as well if not better. That's how he got the nickname in the first place.. He was beasting on Kobe for like 42 or something right?

Pete

[bballcool34]

As for Pierce saying he's better...sure, he can talk whatever trash he wants because he won this year. But if you had a decent bench, Ray Allen, KG, and another swing who was better than Kobe Bryant, geez, that's like a 20-0 title run.

Geez if you had an European superstar seven footer, Lamar Odom, the best player in the world and a good bench - that's like a 20-0 title run. Oh wait...snap it didnt work out. Maybe PP is pretty good.

You know I been listening to years about how Kobe is another class then PP but EVERY single time I seen him matched up with Kobe he has been able to play just as well if not better. That's how he got the nickname in the first place.. He was beasting on Kobe for like 42 or something right?

Pete

Agreed, Pierce plays well well against the Lakers, and has his entire career.

Head to head, Pierce can out muscle Kobe, and post him up- with his excellent footwork, it's enough to get a good shot.

When playing each other, I've seen nothing to indicate that Kobe's a level ahead of Pierce: Pierce has had some great games, and Kobe's had some very good ones as well.

But, to be honest, that's not an accurate way to compare players- I'm sure there are some players who play very well against Pierce head to head, but are certainly not on the same level as him.

I'd say Kobe, throughout his career, has shown himself to clearly be another level above Pierce- and I say this as a full-fledged Celtics fan and Pierce fan.

That being said, as I wrote earlier, I feel that head to head Kobe and Pierce are very much on the same level- but when comparing them to the rest of the league, their not.

[campybatman]

...I feel that head to head Kobe and Pierce are very much on the same level- but when comparing them to the rest of the league, their not.

That's because the league, national media and national fans all view Kobe as some kind of all-world defender when he isn't... He's good but not great. While the general consensus prior to this season is that Pierce is basically a chump on defense. Offensively, both Pierce and Bryant can score on anyone.

Perception is everything...

[cloverleaf]

Some unnecessary bravado in declaring himself the best player, but I like his answer on his 5 favorite players and his unequivocal interest in retiring as a Celtic. So in sum I'll take it, a good interview.

[crm0922]

Don't you think he probably said that somewhat jokingly? Which the following sentence about being presumptuous indicates?

C

[Man_Up]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I honestly believe that if Pierce could jump a little bit higher he'd suddenly be considered a "SuperStar". Think about it is there a wing that you believe he can't really go head to head with? He puts up the numbers statistically, he takes over games like a superstar, he just hasn't had the spotlight on him and the big game opportunities. If his game was flashier and he got more air time on shows like espn, and tnt he'd be right up there with the best of them.

[canman1971]

The way I look at it. Pierce was the MVP of the finals and took home the championship, so as of right now, Pierce is the best in the league. Winning is what matters. Pierce is the most recent winner.