Paul Pierce has been playing more like what he's capable of

[TradeProposalDude]

I know that sounds obvious. Last year as well as he played, he was overweight and a 3 point chucker. He hardly had any tweener game whatsoever. We used to see him dominate his defender for years with his quick first step, stepback and versatility with his range. As he began gaining weight circa 2006, also with injuries as a factor, he was not driving to the hoop nearly as much, and settled way too much for 3 pointers. His stats looked good the last two years before this one but something wasn't right. He wasn't playing like PAUL PIERCE, while efficient. Of late, the Paul Pierce of old... the 2001-2006 form, was back. It might have to do with KG and Allen not handling the ball as much. I even saw Pierce tell Rondo to clear like he'd do with Celtics PG's of old like Kenny Anderson and Tony Delk. I loved watching Pierce the last couple nights because it showed the old Truth hadn't gone anywhere.

[RAcker]

Well, Paul is having to play a completely different role right now than he was a few months ago.  With our depleted numbers, he is having to carry a much heavier load.  Let's just hope he has a lot in the tank come late April.

Don't you know that Ray and KG are foaming at the mouth to get the starting 5 back together again?  Everyone but us should feel sorry for those on our schedule in April as we gear up for the playoffs.   

[TradeProposalDude]

Well, Paul is having to play a completely different role right now than he was a few months ago.  With our depleted numbers, he is having to carry a much heavier load.  Let's just hope he has a lot in the tank come late April.

True, but I don't think he would have been able to score like this last year with no KG OR Ray in the lineup.

He hasn't played like this since that ridiculous February 2006 month. That's over 3 years.

[jambr380]

I really don't think Pierce was a 3-point chucker. He just went from HAVING to carry the load everynight to have others around him who can share it. As much as I like Pierce clearing a side and working his man, it's really not the 'easiest' thing for him, and often isn't the best opportunity for the team. The reason the Celtics have been so good over the past couple of years (other than the obvious, defense) is because of the movement on offense to create the easiest and most efficient shot. Rondo has been a huge catalyst in this movment, as well as KG and Ray...The way Paul has been playing lately is definitely exciting, but I would rather he save it for end of game situations and playoffs...

[TradeProposalDude]

I really don't think Pierce was a 3-point chucker. He just went from HAVING to carry the load everynight to have others around him who can share it. As much as I like Pierce clearing a side and working his man, it's really not the 'easiest' thing for him, and often isn't the best opportunity for the team. The reason the Celtics have been so good over the past couple of years (other than the obvious, defense) is because of the movement on offense to create the easiest and most efficient shot. Rondo has been a huge catalyst in this movment, as well as KG and Ray...The way Paul has been playing lately is definitely exciting, but I would rather he save it for end of game situations and playoffs...

That's a big part of it IMO. Rondo running the offense has finally given Pierce a facilitator who'll do the hard work while all Pierce has to do is finish. But last night (and the last week or two in general) Pierce reminded me of a much younger version of himself. He's making a lot more of those tough stepbacks and crossover shots that were his trademark for a long time.

[moiso]

I think Pierce could have played like this last year if he had to.  Heck, he did play like this a few games in the playoffs.  Paul had a great all around season last year, and the only difference I can see the past couple of weeks is shot attempts.  He's been hot and taking a lot of important shots.

[moiso]

I really don't think Pierce was a 3-point chucker. He just went from HAVING to carry the load everynight to have others around him who can share it. As much as I like Pierce clearing a side and working his man, it's really not the 'easiest' thing for him, and often isn't the best opportunity for the team. The reason the Celtics have been so good over the past couple of years (other than the obvious, defense) is because of the movement on offense to create the easiest and most efficient shot. Rondo has been a huge catalyst in this movment, as well as KG and Ray...The way Paul has been playing lately is definitely exciting, but I would rather he save it for end of game situations and playoffs...

That's a big part of it IMO. Rondo running the offense has finally given Pierce a facilitator who'll do the hard work while all Pierce has to do is finish. But last night (and the last week or two in general) Pierce reminded me of a much younger version of himself. He's making a lot more of those tough stepbacks and crossover shots that were his trademark for a long time.

The reason we won a championship last year was because Pierce DIDN'T play like this younger version of himself.  He played team basketball and took what the defense gave him.  Paul has always been able to play like this but its not good in the long term.

[TradeProposalDude]

I think Pierce could have played like this last year if he had to.  Heck, he did play like this a few games in the playoffs.  Paul had a great all around season last year, and the only difference I can see the past couple of weeks is shot attempts.  He's been hot and taking a lot of important shots.

That's true, one game where he CLEARLY played like this last year was game 7 against the Cavs. That was vintage Paul...

but those nights didn't happen often. I think it had to do with his conditioning mostly. As I mentioned, he was overweight last year, and obviously older.

For years Pierce used to do this EVERY night. moiso the poster is correct in that Pierce can do this anytime he wants (if he's got it going) but it's not good for the long term nor for winning ways. we NEED KG and Ray back.

[ACF]

With the additions of RA and KG there
was never any need for Paul to score
30 points on any given night.
When healthy, our team is deep.

[Chris]

I know that sounds obvious. Last year as well as he played, he was overweight and a 3 point chucker. He hardly had any tweener game whatsoever. We used to see him dominate his defender for years with his quick first step, stepback and versatility with his range. As he began gaining weight circa 2006, also with injuries as a factor, he was not driving to the hoop nearly as much, and settled way too much for 3 pointers. His stats looked good the last two years before this one but something wasn't right. He wasn't playing like PAUL PIERCE, while efficient. Of late, the Paul Pierce of old... the 2001-2006 form, was back. It might have to do with KG and Allen not handling the ball as much. I even saw Pierce tell Rondo to clear like he'd do with Celtics PG's of old like Kenny Anderson and Tony Delk. I loved watching Pierce the last couple nights because it showed the old Truth hadn't gone anywhere.

Wow, I looked at last year completely different.  First of all, I definitely did not see him as overweight. 

Last year (and most of this year), he has made sacrifices in his game to do what is needed to win.  What he did last night was great, but the reason he hasn't been doing that consistently like he did when he played for a mediocre team is that they didn't need that from him.  They needed him to pick his spots more, and concentrate on playing a smart game, and locking down on defense.

It was great to see the old Pierce back last night...but I would much prefer the new Pierce, who doesn't need to play like that to win games.

[2short]

I agree that PP wasn't overweight last year he actually started the year in the best shape I've seen him in awhile.  Also agree that Rondo is making paul and everyones game easier.  My only complaint with Pierce since he's been here are the turnovers which is probably just him doing too much, minutes etc.
The guy is clutch like few in the nba or celtic history for that matter.  Its really great to see him get the championship last year and his name & numbers being in the celtics books.  The man played through some BAD years and pitino 

[kenmaine]

I have to respectfully disagree with the OP. IMO PP has been almost unbelievably consistent over the years. He can take over a game almost any time he needs to, and generally only has about three or four bad games a year.
Like others have pointed out, last year he didn't need to dominate the offense, except on rare occasions.
That's the only difference I see regarding the last few games- he and Rondo realize they each need to step up their offense and they're doing it beautifully. Hopefully, PP doesn't need to play over 40 minutes/game too often though.

[Sweet17]

PP was an overweight chucker? ****. Did you happen to watch the finals last year? PP gets left OPEN for 3s. He can now hit them. I fail to see a problem with taking that shot if you can make it.

BTW Not being absurdly cut up like Tony Allen != overweight. <g> PP is probably at 10% body fat or so.

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

Paul Pierce had his best and most memorable year of his NBA career last season...he was not overweight, as a matter of fact hes probably much better off at that weight

He did take alot of 3's, but it wasnt the most of his career...he was actually more of a 3 point chucker in 01-02 when he shot over 500 in the season, as opposed to 365 last year, the 4th most in a season in his career.

I also think he re-discoverd the real "truth" and started becoming that guy that can control the games and be a dominant superstar is in game 7 against cleveland last year, hes been a different player since that game, and a player that thrives off mid range, but the entire regular season was an adjustment period for pierce last year, this year Ray and Paul are much more comfortable in their skin this season, and comfortable to take alot of shots, etc

I just dont understand how a guy who just won finals MVP last season, and went through lebron james and kobe bryant to get it, is just showing now what kinda player he can be....nah Im pretty sure he showed it in june and has continued to show it all season

[LB3533]

I agree with most saying that Paul was not overweight last year.

Paul was obviously much slimmer in 2000 through 2002, but he was also younger back then as well.

This year Paul lost some weight because he felt he had to put less of a burden on his knee that he had hurt last year in the Finals.

At the start of the year and his new weight, Paul was missing a lot easy layups and his jumper was off. He shot under 40% for the better part of the first month this season.

Since then, Paul has adjusted to his new weight and didn't have to "take over" or dominate games until recently.

And in all honesty when KG went down, Paul didn't dominate nearly fast enough. (21.3ppg prior to the last two games of 36 and 37.)

Paul's seasonal average for PPG is 20.6 and I would have thought since KG been missing 13 games, Pierce would have increased his scoring averaged more than 1 point per game over that stretch. But he didn't.

I mean sure 19-21 ppg is a fine average for Pierce when KG is playing, but when KG is not, we needed Paul to raise his scoring to about 24-25ppg.

This was the mistake of either Paul or Doc, we tried to play like we had a healthy team and we didn't.

Paul was averaging around 14 FGAs when KG was playing.

After KG was hurt and before the last two games, Pierce was averaging 15.9FGAs over 11 games.

Now, with KG's injury, I had expected Paul's and Ray's FGA's to rise more than 2 per game, but that was just me.

Add the other injuries of Scal, Tony, BBD, Rondo, and now Leon...Paul's got to shoot more and Ray too when he gets back.

We were 5-3 when Paul scored 20+ and 2-3 when Paul scored <20 (7-6 Overall since KG's been hurt.)

Edit: Ray Allen increased his scoring to 21.4 PPG over 11 games, after KG got hurt and prior to the Bulls game which he got hurt. (17.8 PPG when KG was playing).

Powe has increased his scoring from 6.5 PPG to 13.3 PPG

Baby has increased his scoring from 4.5 PPG to 12.0 PPG (7 healthy games)

Rondo = 11 to 14

Perk = 8 to 10

Again Pierce = 20 to 21.3