Pierce (disinterested or fatigued)

[davemonsterband]

What Paul did last year doesn't mean a [dang] thing this year. The captain should NEVER take a play off and he did today on the defensive end multiple times. It's not overreacting, it's fact. And he didn't do that last year, so there is a difference, if that's the standard.

[vinnie]

Anyone think the Bulls played a  good game?

I'm not even going to address the ridiculous notion that Pierce is disinterested in any playoff game. But StartOrien has a point. Chicago played out of their mind. If anyone expects Ty Thomas to be knocking down 3-4 crunchtime jumpers in a row, Rose to have the game he did, and Noah have the game he did for the rest of this series is overrating the Bulls too much.

Not to mention the horrendous game for Ray.

I think saying they played "out of their minds" is going overboard. If I remember correctly, the Bulls shot 43 percent from the floor and were horrendous from beyond the arc. I think the Bulls played well, but also worry that guys like Rose and Miller could also hurt us and neither played overly well today.

[vinnie]

What Paul did last year doesn't mean a [dang] thing this year. The captain should NEVER take a play off and he did today on the defensive end multiple times. It's not overreacting, it's fact. And he didn't do that last year, so there is a difference, if that's the standard.

The simple question is this -- was Paul Pierce the only Celtics' player that took some plays off on the defensive end today? I would venture a guess that the Celtics' offensive star of the game took much of the day off on the defensive end. And, given the several uncontested slam dunks by Noah, I guess Perkins also took some time off. And what about the open jumpers for Tyrus Thomas? Guess big baby or Powe must have decided to ignore some defensive possessions. That is my overriding point -- the defense was not good today, yet people want to target Pierce.

[celticspride18]

no disrespect to ppierce, but it looks like he was quiting in a lot of plays, not getting back on defense, and the when some of the shots where block or contested by their bigs.. ( chandler is a rare conbination, kind of kirilenko or shawn marion )and tyrus thomas.. long quick defensive bigs... he was making a lot of fakes and trow the ball inside, in the mid range shot that he makes automatic..

b baby and powe are good players, play with a lot of heart, but all year we been having trouble with teams with long quik pront court, like the lakers, cleveland, portland, etc...

theres no way ray allen is having another night like this..
theres no way the team dont make the defensive adjustments for derrick rose... not anoter + 30 game please..

what do you think???

[StartOrien]

Anyone think the Bulls played a  good game?

I'm not even going to address the ridiculous notion that Pierce is disinterested in any playoff game. But StartOrien has a point. Chicago played out of their mind. If anyone expects Ty Thomas to be knocking down 3-4 crunchtime jumpers in a row, Rose to have the game he did, and Noah have the game he did for the rest of this series is overrating the Bulls too much.

Not to mention the horrendous game for Ray.

I think saying they played "out of their minds" is going overboard. If I remember correctly, the Bulls shot 43 percent from the floor and were horrendous from beyond the arc. I think the Bulls played well, but also worry that guys like Rose and Miller could also hurt us and neither played overly well today.

I think looking at the stats isn't a great way to judge how well they played. There were several occasions when it seemed like the Celtics were poised to run away with it. A defensive stop leading to a great offensive play, and the place would go absolutely nuts. And consistently, the Bulls would come down the court, unrattled by any of this, run their set and get a hoop, often a 17 foot jumper.

[Chief]

All I can say is, I don't think anyone could ever accuse Russell, Hondo, Cowens, or Bird of taking a few plays off or even looking disinterested.

[davemonsterband]

What Paul did last year doesn't mean a [dang] thing this year. The captain should NEVER take a play off and he did today on the defensive end multiple times. It's not overreacting, it's fact. And he didn't do that last year, so there is a difference, if that's the standard.

The simple question is this -- was Paul Pierce the only Celtics' player that took some plays off on the defensive end today? I would venture a guess that the Celtics' offensive star of the game took much of the day off on the defensive end. And, given the several uncontested slam dunks by Noah, I guess Perkins also took some time off. And what about the open jumpers for Tyrus Thomas? Guess big baby or Powe must have decided to ignore some defensive possessions. That is my overriding point -- the defense was not good today, yet people want to target Pierce.

He should be targeted, he's the captain, he's the guy that's been there the longest. He's the heart and soul. All the "we need more banners in the rafters to feel legit" he's been spouting legitimizes that. We're all equally big Celtics fans, targeting the guy that should be setting the standard for Celtics Pride is not the wrong thing to be doing right now. If he doesn't have them up, they lose. This team without KG can lose to the Bulls if they take plays or quarters off. What, that isn't worth pointing out? Blaming the leader in such a situation is jumping the gun? It's not. "What everybody else is doing" is a reflection of him and him alone, he's earned that right and it's his sole responsibility, including when KG's on the floor. Paul wants that, he has to live up to it. We all remember the Nuggests and Sonics back in the day, it can happen. It's the playoffs for the repeating champs and he's taking plays off, please, give me break. That's pathetic. BUT, maybe it was only that game, I hope so. I'd still have his baby if I was a girl.

[gustusias]

Christ, they lost the game because teams like Chicago give them a load of trouble. The Bulls played better the entire evening. They are done in my opinion. They just are an inferior team.    (Without Garnett)

[ToppersBsktball10]

Pierce will be Michael Jordan until 18 goes into the rafters. Just wait.

[BigAlTheFuture]

Pierce will be Michael Jordan until 18 goes into the rafters. Just wait.

It would have been nice if he was Michael Jordan game one. 

[Change]

You believe me now. Paul plays with no effort, and never gets back on D. How about that steal by rose and save with pierce just standing there watching.

It could be fatigue, I don't know. But it catching on with Perk now watching Chicago's fast breaks

[xmuscularghandix]

Pierce will be Michael Jordan until 18 goes into the rafters. Just wait.

It would have been nice if he was Michael Jordan game one. 

it would have been nicer if he wasn't trying to be michael jordon and passed the [dang] ball.

[Bankshot]

Pierce looks tired to me.  I bet all those minutes are finally catching up with him.  He had no legs on his jumpshot tonight.  Hopefully he gets some rest and comes back on track next game.

[Scalablob990]

Maybe Doc should have rested him 4 weeks ago when Pierce was practically begging for it. If the playoff run falls short it's Docs fault, not Pierces.

[dirtyeggs]

I have to agree it seems like he is taking plays off.  I thought he had stopped doing that but he is doing it again.  I am not blaming him for the loss at all - but I have to agree with Change and Perk does it sometimes as well.

Just play every play hard.  Talk to the refs when the play is over.  I don't want to see them loose a game because someone took the wrong play off.  Brad Miller has 4 points (2 tonight and 2 last game) because people took plays off.

I don't want them to loose because they were talking to the refs DURING a play or assuming the play was a forgone conclusion.  PLAY IT OUT.