Can the face of a franchise realistically take a non-starting reduced role

[Roy H.]

I think some guys like Reggie Miller and Patrick Ewing have done it, and if done well it can be done

Reggie Miller was the guy I immediately thought of, as well.  However, he never move to the bench.  Rather, he just took a back seat in the offense.

[OmarSekou]

Absolutely. Look at Chauncey Billups, Tracey McGrady, Vince Carter,Grant Hill, and Jason Richardson. Mutombo did it, Kareem did it, DJ did it, Walton did it.

Granted a lot of those guys went to other franchises and some took lesser roles as opposed to non-starting roles, but it can definitely be done if a guy's ego isn't too big and he buys into the team's concept. I think the Big 3 fit that mold. The issue is that other teams may be willing to overpay for them.

I'm not gonna disagree that the face of a franchise would do this but not one of those guys were the face of their respective franchise when they took a reserve role right?

Right. I think what happens is generally a franchise will not overpay a "face" player to take on a reserve role. Other franchises will gamble on how much they have left, so they move.

I think we have a historically unusual situation. KG was the face of Minnesota. Ray was the face of Milwaukee and Seattle. PP was the face of our franchise but shared the role when other guys came on. Everyone of our "face" players has already sacrificed individual stats/accolades in order to win. I think they'd be willing to do the same if the price is right. They're old enough to realize how little time they have left and not overestimate their abilities/worth. At least that's what I hope.

[manl_lui]

tbh, of all people now, I do not think Kobe is able to accept coming off the bench

[RajonRondo9Dime]

Somebody early on in this thread said it perfectly.....


While Pierce may not playing at a level high enough to be a franchise player anymore, or to lead us to another championship, the reality is, the few guys that are better than him aren't coming to town...

So why are you better with him at a reduced role, coming off the bench, if he's a better all around player than the person you're replacing him with....?

[Moranis]

Somebody early on in this thread said it perfectly.....


While Pierce may not playing at a level high enough to be a franchise player anymore, or to lead us to another championship, the reality is, the few guys that are better than him aren't coming to town...

So why are you better with him at a reduced role, coming off the bench, if he's a better all around player than the person you're replacing him with....?

Again, I wasn't suggesting that Pierce should be coming off of the bench right now, but what about next year or the year after.  He probably won't be the best SF on the team at that point, but that doesn't mean you can regulate him to the bench.  He was the face of the franchise for so long that it is a slap in the face to him.  Just like it would be to Kobe, Duncan, Dirk, etc.  It isn't like not starting those guys is a good idea right now, I'm suggesting I don't think it is ever a good idea.  Too much history, pride, ego, etc.

[paintitgreen]

I could see Pierce accepting the Sixth Man role if you had Rondo, one other wing in the starting lineup who can create his own shot, a strong defensive stopper on the wing, a scoring big man and a defensive stud big man. Then it makes sense to have Pierce provide your offense off the bench and possibly finish a lot of games in place of that defensive stopper.

For example (total hypothetical that's not really possible), let's say Paul gets hurt tonight, the Clippers fall out of the playoffs, the Cs get the 7 seed and the 12th and 17th picks. They get Jeremy Lamb at 12, and he quickly becomes an All Star two guard. They pick up a big like Moultrie with the 17th pick, Bass takes his player option and the Cs keep KG on a 2 year deal, Ray on a 1 year deal, Green on a 4 year deal and Pietrus on a 2 year deal. Midseason, they trade Bass, Ray and a 2013 first round pick to Utah for Al Jefferson. Next season, they have Rondo, Pietrus, Bradley, Lamb, Moore, Pierce, Green, Garnett, Jefferson, Moultrie, Johnson and Stiemsma. Lamb's ready to start. So you throw out Rondo, Lamb, KG and Al with with Jeff Green, who doesn't need the ball in his hands much. Pierce runs the offense on the second unit with Bradley, Pietrus, Johnson and Moultrie, but finishes games in place of Green, or if you need more outside shooting, Al.

Difficult to see it now, since I don't see getting that level of talent that quickly. But in two or three years, I think it could work, and I think Pierce, to remain and finish his career in Boston, would do it.