These are excellent points presented in these two articles. It's sure nice to know that Pierce has embraced Rivers, his teammates (as many times as they've changed), Ubuntu, a desire to repeat as a NBA champion and has apparently accepted change in his role still as captain of the Celtics. This is truly the evolution of The Truth. That change where you go from being an perennial All-Star to a player that seriously contemplates his legacy to his sport. How do I want to be remembered to the basketball fans, my peers, family and friends. And given his unyielding confidence (see his I have a lot of confidence in myself interview) in himself. He probably wouldn't mind it at all if he were held in reverence (as a fellow NBA legend among legends) and remembered by international fans outside of the US as well.
The last week and a half has illustrated how greatly Pierce's role has changed since last season's arrival of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. Instead of having to carry the Celtics on offense, Pierce has been dishing off, acting as a high-profile decoy, or resting on the bench. He shot 6 for 14 and had 19 points against the Bobcats, only the second time in six games his field goal attempts have been in double digits. Before Saturday's game, Pierce averaged 11.8 points in five victories, the Celtics winning by 18, 17, 15, 8, and 24. Then, Pierce was called on for a late-game salvation project, producing 8 points and an assist in the final 3:56 of Saturday's victory.
So, a different go-to guy every night?
"It's working for us," Pierce said. "We've been playing well, why change up? I know what I'm capable of any given night, so I'm a constant threat on the floor. If I get a chance to sit for a quarter and the bench can close out games, or play 25 minutes and we can win the game, that's definitely luxurious. Because, earlier in my career I played 40-45 minutes for the team to even have a chance. Hopefully, this will extend my career."
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball ... situation/
Even on the Cadillac of a team he now runs, the point guard understands many are willing to take the last shot, but only a few are worthy.
And none, as recent history has shown, are more worthy than Paul Pierce in the last four minutes of a game. Ray Allen certainly comes close, especially from deep. But the Celtics captain has a truly rare ability - not just a desire - once the clock becomes a factor.
“Gimme the ball,” Rondo said in an attempt to describe Pierce’s late-game aura. “He just has it. Everyone wants the ball, but not everyone can get it and do what they want with it. He just plays that way. As long as I’ve known him, he’s always been calm in those situations.”
Witness Pierce’s ability to turn his deadly switch on Saturday night in Charlotte, N.C. He had averaged just 11.3 points in the previous five games, cracking 20 points only once (21 points on Nov. 26 against Golden State), and after three quarters had 11 against the Bobcats.
But this was a recent rarity for the C’s - a close game. The switch thrown on, Pierce calmly demanded the ball and scored eight points in the last four minutes. First, the C’s captain victimized Jason Richardson with a pair of soft jumpers in the lane, then he drove and posted up to make three trips to the free throw line.
Pierce didn’t cause as much as will those calls, and the referees complied.
Back in the old days, when Pierce was the Celts’ only hope, the result was often a forced shot or a flagrant flop in an attempt to get the call.
But Pierce is now riding in luxury. His minutes are down, and he claims to feel the most rested of his entire career.
As of yesterday he was 25th in the league with an average of 36.4 minutes per game. That’s a far cry from the time when Pierce and then-Celtic Antoine Walker routinely inhabited two of the top five positions in the league in terms of minutes played.
“It’s definitely a luxury,” Pierce said not only of the reduction in the minutes load, but also in the scoring load.
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/bask ... ormat=text
