Straw that Stirs the Drink

[exculpatory]

Who's The Straw that Stirs the Drink in Boston?

February 2, 2009 1:09 PM

Britt Robson of Secrets of the City spends a lot of time watching Timberwolves games, and thinking. Here's what he has been thinking about lately:

Specifically, he said that the Celtics were "Paul Pierce's team," and that Pierce was clearly the best player on the team.

Now Paul Pierce is a marvelous, marvelous player, who may in fact be that rare commodity -- an underrated superstar. And you could have a healthy debate about who is more important to the Celts, Pierce or KG. But lately I'm appreciating Pierce more than ever. For one thing: Opponents like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant clearly see Pierce as a special challenge.

Happily, we don't have to parse out a "best player" on this team. They're both there, and Ray Allen, too, and it works. All professionals. But, increasingly, to me, Pierce is up there among the special players. No, I can't say he's more valuable than Garnett. But I can't say he isn't, either.

I completely agree with all of these points. Celtic nation is blessed by having Paul, KG and RA - all of them consummate professionals and future HOFers. Paul is without a doubt the most talented and clutch offensive player on the team, who, with the arrival of KG and RA, has been able to devote more energy to defense, and therefore has been to demonstrate how multitalented he is. He scores 25-35 ppg when we need it, and 10-20 ppg when KG and/or RA and/or Rondo has it going. KG's intensity and D are fantastic and invaluable, and he is an excellent on O as well - even though I wish he would post up more often and shoot the long J less often. Ray has the sweetest J of any active player in the game today, and, arguably, has been even more offensively consistent than Paul for the first half of this year. Once again, we are very fortunate to have all 3 of them. And a future All Star in Rondo - who once he develops a consistent 15 foot J, will be ranked with CP3 and DWill as one of best points in the game.

[hiphop1]

Good read, I also agree with your statement.

[sully00]

While I don't think that Pierce is necessarily a super star on the level of a Kobe and LeBron, being able to carry the offensive load and produce wins. I think unlike almost any other player in the league right now he is able to step up in the moment and deliver what ever his team needs. While his life is certainly made easier with Garnett and Allen the reality is that the 3 of them make it work and we have send plenty of examples were putting offensive stars like this together just ends up being not enough basketballs.

[exculpatory]

Sully - all your points are right on as usual. Our 3 unselfish superstars blend together and compliment each other perfectly - in contrast to previous "forced marriages" of superstars on 1 team. Add Rondo, and you have our 40-9 team. Add Rondo with a consistent J, and you have something really really really special in the next couple of years. Add crazy but very talented Marbury and a big like Joe Smith right now, and we will win another banner this year - although not without some balls to the wall competition from the Fakers and the Lebronites. We should not have let Pose go. IMO, this was one of Danny's few mistakes.

Kobe and Lebron are truly majestic ballers (in fact, Lebron with a better J may turn out to be the best wing in the history of the league), and possess a "flashiness" (which Paul does not) which garners them more national attention; however, when it comes right down to it, and considering all facets of the game, Paul is just a smidgeon behind them. This has always been true - even when Paul was laboring without KG and RA. I am not sure that either Kobe or Lebron could have earned the Celts that many more wins between 2000 and 2007 with the same inadequate supporting cast that Paul was given.

By the way, Paul is close to 18K points, and will pass the Chief in about 20 games, and become the third leading scorer in Celtic history behind Larry Legend and Hondo. Not too shabby.

[Youth4Glory]

its absolutely mind blowing that Paul is about to move into third on the celtic's all time scoring list; especially in an organization so rich with legends like Boston. Kudos to you Paul!!