Paul Pierce looks more explosive than last year

[TradeProposalDude]

I'll say it again... Pierce is NOT someone I want taking 10 3's a game. He had begun to increase his 3 point totals over the last few seasons. In 06-07, he only played slightly over half the season, yet he attempted more 3's than he had EVER in past seasons.

It's not that he can't shoot the 3 (which he's shown he can), it detracts from what he should be doing which is driving to the rim.

A lot of it has to do with his body though. He looked out of shape last year. This year, he looks more in shape than I've seen from him since maybe 2005. That is what generally happens with older players as they find it harder to stay in optimal shape so their skills set is limited. In Pierce's case, the three point shot became more of an option.

During the preseason, I see him going to the rim a lot more and making concerted efforts to create from post up iso's than from beyond the arc, where he shouldn't be creating his offense. Once again, it's not that he can't hit the 3 pointer, and I'm more than welcome to seeing him hit a few per game, it's that for a guy his size and ability he shouldn't be roaming beyond the arc or a little into high 2 range. He's a.lways been able to use his body to his advantage and he looks fit and I think this preseason has shown a more explosive Pierce who's committed to playing the style of ball that he's best off playing.

[bboncorr26]

it's still early in the year so that might not last. as the season goes on he might start falling to the outside, as he usually does.

although you are right i do see more explosiveness then what i saw in him at this point last season. i also think he took some time off last offseason to deal with his injury. that might have contributed to him not looking so explosive. i bet him and KG worked out much more often then usual so that might be helping. from everything i have read KG is a workout maniac and PP is as well.

the biggest surprise to me has been seeing Ray Allen look a whole lot better. last season i noticed his height on jump shots wasn't consistantly high. at times his jumping looked fairly low compared to what i had seen in the past. i was at the Manchester game and sat right next to the celtics bench so i had a pretty good view on the height he gets to on that jump shot. it looks much better then what i saw last season. i don't know if that will hold up over the course of the season but as of now i'm expecting a much better year, shooting/scoring wise, out of Allen.

that alone should help PP have a more explosive inside scoring season.

[TradeProposalDude]

the biggest surprise to me has been seeing Ray Allen look a whole lot better. last season i noticed his height on jump shots wasn't consistantly high. at times his jumping looked fairly low compared to what i had seen in the past. i was at the Manchester game and sat right next to the celtics bench so i had a pretty good view on the height he gets to on that jump shot. it looks much better then what i saw last season. i don't know if that will hold up over the course of the season but as of now i'm expecting a much better year, shooting/scoring wise, out of Allen.

that alone should help PP have a more explosive inside scoring season.

I agree. And do you know why Ray Allen is playing better?

Because he is not thinking twice about shooting the ball when he is open.

Remember how tentative he'd be to shoot last year? He played with ubuntu but sometimes too much of it. A guy like him shouldn't opt out of shooting the open shot considering he's the best, or one of the best at it.

That is why KG and Pierce want him to shoot. And I think Allen now agrees. In a blowout game like game 6 against the Lakers, when Ray didn't hesitate and just went for it, when he knew there was hardly anything to lose, he made 7 straight 3's. That's the Ray Allen we know he is capable of becoming over a course of a full season, he just cannot have second thoughts about his own game or else it will reflect on his composure during the game.

[biggs]

Both Ray and Paul were coming off of surgeries last season and Ray admitted later in the season that his ankles were not 100% going into the season.  I feel that the big three will be better this year not only because of their good health, but their knowing eachothers tendencies and creating a better flow on offense. 

[TradeProposalDude]

Both Ray and Paul were coming off of surgeries last season and Ray admitted later in the season that his ankles were not 100% going into the season.  I feel that the big three will be better this year not only because of their good health, but their knowing eachothers tendencies and creating a better flow on offense. 

Ray Allen is another guy who seems to be taking more of a charge in terms of being more complete an offensive player.