Pierce falling in love with the jump shot...

[pearljammer10]

Without KG in the lineup I have noticed that Pierce is falling in love with the pull up jumper from the foul line and is really loving the outside shot. I think Pierce has been great all season but he is at his best when he is driving to the basket getting lay ins and getting to the free throw line...

Will this last all season or will he start going to the basket again when KG returns to spread the floor?

[Carhole]

I agree and I dont think it started when KG went down, it happened even earlier. He doesnt look right to me offensively and now lets hope the thumb isnt too much of an issue.

I do not know if he is just trying to get through the dog days without being too banged up or what. But we are at our best when PP is getting to the line and collapsing the D to create open shots for Ray and everyone else as well as forcing the other teams D to rotate and chase our ball movement.

[celticmaestro]

Yeah, he's shooting a lot. But I think that he's really trying to save himself for the playoffs by not taking those hard knocks. That's when these guys will bring their A games so I'll wait until then to judge them (apart from Glen Davis ((better?))

[RAcker]

It's also notable that he is falling in love with dribbling in traffic.  That 1/3 pick and roll (to get the switch) is a nice tactic, but dosen't work if PP tries to dribble too much in the middle of the floor where lots of little guys hang around digging at the ball.

He needs to watch a ton of film on this and get this straightend out.  Paul studies the game.  He'll have it ironed out soon enough and will see ways to make plays from that spot.  If not, our TO's will continue to be a problem in the halfcourt.

[BrickJames]

It's also notable that he is falling in love with dribbling in traffic.  That 1/3 pick and roll (to get the switch) is a nice tactic, but dosen't work if PP tries to dribble too much in the middle of the floor where lots of little guys hang around digging at the ball.

He needs to watch a ton of film on this and get this straightend out.  Paul studies the game.  He'll have it ironed out soon enough and will see ways to make plays from that spot.  If not, our TO's will continue to be a problem in the halfcourt.

He's being told to dribble.  He's one of the most unstoppable one-vs-one players to play the game.

He commands a double or sometimes triple team.  This opens up the rest of the floor - gives Rondo room to penetrate, opens up our shooters on the perimeter, etc.

What's next?  "Rondo falling in love with the layup"?