No coincidence, Pierce part of 2 greatest playoff comebacks ever!

[nickagneta]

As the title says, Paul Pierce has been a part of two of the greatest playoff comebacks in NBA history, and mark my word, it is not an accident.

Pierce has "It". That unmistakeable, undescribable something that separates him from mere professional athletes. The ability to see that the game is at hand and the ability to rise above and overcome. The ability to produce when most would be too nervous or afraid to be able to produce. The ability to welcome the pressure and shy away from it. "It".

Michael Jordan has it. Larry and Magic had it. KG doesn't have it. Ray Allen has a bit of it. Robert Horry has it. As does Tom Brady, David Ortiz, Reggie Jackson, Josh Beckett, Patrick Roy, Tiger Woods and Derek Jeter.

Barry Bonds does not have it. Neither do Alex Rodriguez, Phil Michelson, Tracy McGrady, Dirk Nowitzski, Donovan McNabb, or Ben Rothlisburger.

The list on both sides of the equation can gone on and back for quite a long time. Not every great player or superstar has it. Somes guys have it and aren't superstars or even the best player on their team.

But our captain has it and has proven it time and time again. Last minute shots and dominating fourth quarters. Improbable to impossible comebacks and in the history of the NBA, the 2 greatest comebacks in the playoff history.

It is no coincidence that when LeBron came up big, Paul was bigger. It is no coincidence that when the Celtics were down in 2002 that Antoine Walker was psyching up Paul Pierce who delivered shot after shot. It is no coincidence that the Truth felt the game was still in reach and asked for the most difficult of assignments and then shut down and denied Kobe the rest of the night. All those last second winners, yup, you guessed it, no coincidence.

Like Big Papi and Tom Brady, the Boston sports fan has another player that they can call one of the greatest clutch players in their sport, Paul Pierce. And it is because he has "It".

[Bankshot]

Good post.  The Truth definitely as "it".

[reggie35]

As the title says, Paul Pierce has been a part of two of the greatest playoff comebacks in NBA history, and mark my word, it is not an accident.

Pierce has "It". That unmistakeable, undescribable something that separates him from mere professional athletes. The ability to see that the game is at hand and the ability to rise above and overcome. The ability to produce when most would be too nervous or afraid to be able to produce. The ability to welcome the pressure and shy away from it. "It".

Michael Jordan has it. Larry and Magic had it. KG doesn't have it. Ray Allen has a bit of it. Robert Horry has it. As does Tom Brady, David Ortiz, Reggie Jackson, Josh Beckett, Patrick Roy, Tiger Woods and Derek Jeter.

Barry Bonds does not have it. Neither do Alex Rodriguez, Phil Michelson, Tracy McGrady, Dirk Nowitzski, Donovan McNabb, or Ben Rothlisburger.

The list on both sides of the equation can gone on and back for quite a long time. Not every great player or superstar has it. Somes guys have it and aren't superstars or even the best player on their team.

But our captain has it and has proven it time and time again. Last minute shots and dominating fourth quarters. Improbable to impossible comebacks and in the history of the NBA, the 2 greatest comebacks in the playoff history.

It is no coincidence that when LeBron came up big, Paul was bigger. It is no coincidence that when the Celtics were down in 2002 that Antoine Walker was psyching up Paul Pierce who delivered shot after shot. It is no coincidence that the Truth felt the game was still in reach and asked for the most difficult of assignments and then shut down and denied Kobe the rest of the night. All those last second winners, yup, you guessed it, no coincidence.

Like Big Papi and Tom Brady, the Boston sports fan has another player that they can call one of the greatest clutch players in their sport, Paul Pierce. And it is because he has "It".

not only does he have the "it" but he also has the "sh" making him the... man!

[BrickJames]

Ray definitely has more than a bit of "it".

On the other hand, Paul has made some pretty remarkable mistakes in "it" situations as well.

Let's not get too carried away yet - still one more W to go.

[kevbo]

Absolutely agree! Paul Pierce has long been my favorite player in the NBA, and indeed, the one responsible for me avidly, passionately recommit to following the Celtics like an addict, after his emergence during the Pitino-era. The Celtics were brutal post-Reggie and pre-Pierce, and Pierce made them watchable again. We all here know what he does and what he brings to the court. There's not one player I can think to compare him too exactly. He's truly unique, and more so, he's not always perfect, but there's nobody I'd rather have on the court in green when the Cs need a win. And now it is the time for the rest of the country to recognize and appreciate him. He's tremendous.

[MaineBleedsGreen]

nice post. Pierce definately has the the killer attitude, and the never say die mentality, that both go a long way to providing the "it".

[Birdbrain]

Heck he almost died in real life this NBA finals stuff is easy.  Great post.

[Fastbreak]

Nick, right you are...Paul has it, always has..now he also has maturity, which is a dangerous combination...Shaq is right Paul is "The Truth"

[LarBrd33]

Ray definitely has more than a bit of "it".

On the other hand, Paul has made some pretty remarkable mistakes in "it" situations as well.

Let's not get too carried away yet - still one more W to go.

Yeah... I agree... lets not get too carried away.  Theres one more player in this series who has "it"... and he has more of "it" than anyone on our team.  He has used "it" twice in the previous series... nearly used "it" against us in an 8 minute barrage in game 2... and would be using epic loads of "it" if he pulled off a 3-1 comeback...

oh sh..

[Birdbrain]

I'm drawing a blank in regards to who this other person is?  Radmonavic or Hair Barrette were the most responsible for bringing back the Fakers in game 2. If it's who I think you're talking about he doesn't have 'it'. Not 'it' in the way that I think of 'it' anyway.  He has more talent but, that's not 'it'. 

[LarBrd33]

I'm drawing a blank in regards to who this other person is?  Radmonavic or Hair Barrette were the most responsible for bringing back the Fakers in game 2. If it's who I think you're talking about he doesn't have 'it'. Not 'it' in the way that I think of 'it' anyway.  He has more talent but, that's not 'it'. 

Don't dismiss the guy man.  I hate him as much as everyone else, but he's ripped the hearts out of franchises in the past.  He has done "it" several times throughout his career and probably has more "it" than anyone in the league right now.   Don't sleep on him...  We still have 1 more game to win.

[Who]

I think a lot of it (not all but a lot) comes down to how Paul Pierce scores the basketball.

He's always able to get easy baskets. How many people attack the paint like him? How many people get to the line like him? How many people have his post game and midpost game? Then add in the jump shot from anywhere on the court. The passing ability which makes him difficult to double.

Pierce is an incredibly tough guy to stop. He just keeps coming at you and attacking, taking it right into your chest and forcing the action on you.

[nickagneta]

I'm drawing a blank in regards to who this other person is?  Radmonavic or Hair Barrette were the most responsible for bringing back the Fakers in game 2. If it's who I think you're talking about he doesn't have 'it'. Not 'it' in the way that I think of 'it' anyway.  He has more talent but, that's not 'it'. 

Don't dismiss the guy man.  I hate him as much as everyone else, but he's ripped the hearts out of franchises in the past.  He has done "it" several times throughout his career and probably has more "it" than anyone in the league right now.   Don't sleep on him...  We still have 1 more game to win.

You're completely wrong. Kobe hasn't got a bit of "It". He has unbelievable talent, almost the same as Jordan's. But what separates the two by a wide, wide margin is that MJ had "It" and Kobe is sorely lacking "It". There's a reason why the other night was Kobe's highest scoring Finals game even though he's now been in 5 Finals. Because he doesn't have "It".

And to say that he has more than the entire Celtics squad is a farce. Ray Allen has more "It" all by himself and Allen doesn't have nearly as much of it as Pierce.

Kobe has talent. He rode the wave that was Shaq. But there is a reason why Shaq has won a ring without Kobe and the reverse has not happened.

[Birdbrain]

We'll just have to agree to disagree on whether we think he has 'it'.  'It' is much more than scoring points when you have a giant averaging 30 and 15 in the lane.  No your 'it' and my 'it' are not created equally.

I wouldn't trade Pierce for him just so we are clear where I stand.

Ripped the heart out of franchises?

[MrsNumba17]

Pierce is the bomb!!!

He plays with ALOT of heart.