Post#23 » by celtics543 » Sun Mar 2, 2008 5:23 pm
I think Paul Pierce is underrated on these boards. The guy carried the Celtics for ten years before KG and Ray Allen came to Boston, making the playoffs four times. His "co-star" at the time was Antoine Walker, just think about that for a minute. Pierce led a team to the Conference Finals with Antoine Walker, Tony Battie, Eric Williams, and Kenny Anderson as the rest of the starting five.
Just because KG is on the same team now, doesn't mean that they can't have two franchise guys. I understand not counting Ray Allen because he hasn't been the same type of player, and has needed more help to make the playoffs, but Pierce should be a no-brainer.
The most important thing, to me at least, is that Pierce has never asked to be traded or publicly said that he wanted to leave. He wanted to be here, even through the tough years, and he deserves the success that they're having now. He didn't do what AI, Kobe, Lebron, KG, McGrady, Vince Carter, Kidd, etc. did and force his way out of a situation that he didn't like. He stuck by the Celtics and they rewarded him with the help he needed. That is a franchise player. Someone who is loyal to a franchise.
