I haven't really been watching the Cs, what's up wit pierce?

SuigintouEV · Post #1 » by **SuigintouEV** » Mon Dec 8, 2008 2:36 am

Besides the fact that Celtics coverage is non-existant over here, i just haven't had much time to closely follow the team. Based on the numbers, though, Pierce is a 2nd/3rd worst season of his career as a scorer, and his assists are down, too.

Is it just a function or more offense being run through rondo and ray? Or has his jumper just not been falling this season? I remember reading early in the season that Pierce looks really skinny this season - is he noticibly weaker than last season (where his strength was definitely a big deal)? I wonder this because I noticed his FTA are up from last season, so I figured maybe he's finishing less and-1 opportunities.

Obviously the sample size is small, but does it look like Pierce can get back to his level of last year's playoffs, or will it continue to be more on KG, Rondo and Ray this year?

Dirty Water · Post #2 » by **Dirty Water** » Mon Dec 8, 2008 2:43 am

Pierce is coasting right now. His shot is not off. When your starting five is as good as the Celtics this year, it opens up the floor for everyone. With the development of the young players on the bench it has eased the pressure that Pierce has to be the man every night. Remember, he has loads of options that he never had on past Celtics teams. He's gettign older and more mature.

But it's everyone's opinion on this board that once the playoffs come he will take his game to another level. As we've seen by the championship teams over the last decade (sans maybe detroit 04) you need that go to swingman to literally take over games. He will be there when it counts.

GreenGrizz · Post #3 » by **GreenGrizz** » Mon Dec 8, 2008 2:50 am

Pierce is just so december-ish.

SonicYouth34 · Post #4 » by **SonicYouth34** » Mon Dec 8, 2008 4:05 am

Pierce has the luxury of Ray Allen shooting lights out. If Pierce needs to score 40 then he will, but until then he's just gonna save himself for banner number 18.

s1ickd · Post #5 » by **s1ickd** » Mon Dec 8, 2008 5:31 am

If you notice, Pierce has been there in the clutch when our offense stagnated late in a game. He'll put a few jumpers in, get to the line a couple times, and ice the game when the occasion calls for it.

Bytista2 · Post #6 » by **Bytista2** » Mon Dec 8, 2008 5:44 am

Pierce is the last person to worry about. He can pretty much light it up when he wants to. He's most likely just getting the others involved since Ray & Rondo have been playing excellent as of late.

Kaykoose · Post #7 » by **Kaykoose** » Mon Dec 8, 2008 6:37 am

I find this whole "coasting" thing to be a terrible excuse. You don't miss shots because you are coasting. He is genuinely in a slump right now... I don't know why no one will just come out and say it lol

Post #8 » by **Spin Move** » Mon Dec 8, 2008 7:10 am

I think he has some kind of ankle injury watching him move on D the past couple of games, i dont think its anything major but i think its just slight enough to effect his shot, just my theory, a shot doesnt disapear in 6th months and he is in great shape, i think he is playing hurt, could be wrong.

return2glory · Post #9 » by **return2glory** » Mon Dec 8, 2008 7:35 am

DatBoyWonder wrote:I find this whole "coasting" thing to be a terrible excuse. You don't miss shots because you are coasting. He is genuinely in a slump right now... I don't know why no one will just come out and say it lol

Exactly. Pierce is shooting bad all year.He is shooting below 40% for the season. That is horrible. Also is he not rebounding as well as he usually does. He has had only 3 rebounds in the last 2 games.

bruno sundov · Post #10 » by **bruno sundov** » Mon Dec 8, 2008 7:54 pm

I really dont see Paul taking it to the hoop enough. It as if the only starter that does is Rondo.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #11 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Mon Dec 8, 2008 8:18 pm

bruno sundov wrote:I really dont see Paul taking it to the hoop enough. It as if the only starter that does is Rondo.

Agreed...but Rondo went back to his bad habits last night, passing up WIDE OPEN jumpers and layups to pass out to the 3-pt line...

celticfan42487 · Post #12 » by **celticfan42487** » Mon Dec 8, 2008 8:45 pm

Coasting is defentily not the term. Don't worry if your saying something else makes others worry. I don't worry about Pierce and I say this...

It looks like he is playing with a leg injury. Start of the season, first 5 games you saw an explosive ability we haven't seen in a long time and that had to be the 15 pounds Pierce lost. Now he's missing everything, not able to stay in front of his man, and doesn't get in for the rebounds like he used too. The only conclusion I can draw from that is he no longer has his legs. And to lose them in a matter of 2 games and have them lost for the next 10... only an injury does that imo.

Also Ray and Pierce's roles have reversed. Pierce uses ISOs, Ray uses picks. BOTH of those are blackhole offenses and they demand everyone to play off the ball offense off them. So instead of Ray beign the shooter without his bunny get me going shots [anything mid-range] it's Pierce who doesn't get the ball often and doesn't get many drives to the hoop. This has probuly thrown his rythmn off a bit. So this could be extending a slump.

However the offensive slump doesn't explain why he's having so much trouble staying with his man and isn't able to go get rebounds like he has done all his career. And that's why I say he has a nagging leg injury and is in a slump.

bruno sundov · Post #13 » by **bruno sundov** » Mon Dec 8, 2008 8:53 pm

You think he is still banged up from last year. Didn't Paul play all last year hurt?

Bad-Thoma · Post #14 » by **Bad-Thoma** » Mon Dec 8, 2008 10:33 pm

Spin Move wrote:I think he has some kind of ankle injury watching him move on D the past couple of games, i dont think its anything major but i think its just slight enough to effect his shot, just my theory, a shot doesnt disapear in 6th months and he is in great shape, i think he is playing hurt, could be wrong.

I've been thinking the same thing, he's got no lift and seems to have lost the lateral quickness he started the season with. I'm sure with the record being as sick as it is he'd be sitting if it was anything major.