Paul Pierce the Rebounder (as oppose to scorer) is the key, moving forward

[TitleMaster]

It's now my broken record but I've come to the conclusion that the Celts have enough scorers, in particular, the back court.

We lack, outside of Perks, top flight rebounders. Pierce is the Celts best man, in this dept, with KG/Powe sidelined. Remember, he did this from 2003 to 2005.

I think Doc should take Paul aside and tell him the Truth (pun intended) that the Celts need him to mop up the boards to win in the end.

What that would mean is a shift from the 24 ppg/6 rpg to 18 ppg / 11 rpg without really needing to play him at the 4, other than for a few occasions, here and there. He can still take critical shots, now and then, but the primary offense should start with Rondo and either end with him or one of the other guards, unless the frontline has a clear look.

[Fafnir]

This isn't realistic to ask of Paul, nor is it good strategy.

Pierce doesn't have an advantage in the post against Turk/Rashard. He needs to use his mid-range game to keep spacing, and chase them around the perimeter. So he won't be able to get 11 rebounds consistenly this series.

[Reddo]

Banging down low for rebounds will only wear Pierce down even more than he's being worn down now by playing defense.

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

Banging down low for rebounds will only wear Pierce down even more than he's being worn down now by playing defense.

"I sleep ALL DAY...how can I be tired" - Paul Pierce

[wdleehi]

The Celtics are going to need Pierce the offensive player.


Moving him to PF hurts his game and the Celtics.

[Thruthelookingglass]

It's now my broken record but I've come to the conclusion that the Celts have enough scorers, in particular, the back court.

We lack, outside of Perks, top flight rebounders. Pierce is the Celts best man, in this dept, with KG/Powe sidelined. Remember, he did this from 2003 to 2005.

I think Doc should take Paul aside and tell him the Truth (pun intended) that the Celts need him to mop up the boards to win in the end.

What that would mean is a shift from the 24 ppg/6 rpg to 18 ppg / 11 rpg without really needing to play him at the 4, other than for a few occasions, here and there. He can still take critical shots, now and then, but the primary offense should start with Rondo and either end with him or one of the other guards, unless the frontline has a clear look.

I hear what you are saying.  Remember that early season stretch 3-4 years ago when he was averaging 18 boards a game?  He sure can attack the glass when he sets his mind to it.  But I also see the point that the others are making.  Back when Paul was grabbing all the rebounds, Perk hadn't really progressed very far and I seem to remember Al and Perk alternated being hurt.  Now Perk's rebounding like the bona fide center he is.  We also didn't have crazy rebounding machine Rondo.

So yeah, I'd worry that trying to change Paul's focus would disrupt what the team has been able to accomplish so far.  He draws so much attention, and frankly, he is unique in how he pressures a defense.  My guess is that in the end that is the more valuable role for Pierce, especially against the Magic with all the long defensive rebounds we will continue to see.

[xmuscularghandix]

i liked what we did in game 2, Perk block out Howard while Rondo crashes down to help. Pierce will have a big game down in Orlando.

[2short]

As long as everyone boxes out I don't care if house gets 10 rebounds a game! 
Pierce however to his credit and docs has done whatever THE TEAM needs since doc arrived.  PP no longer has to be the #1 (or #2) gun on offense.  I have seen him take a back seat when someone else is hot and/or his own shot isn't falling.  If it takes 10 rebounds from our sf for a win I am positive pierce can do that job.  I do not want him at pf.  Even with orlando's "unique" offensive stand around the 3pt line.  I feel scal can play pf if we need him there.
I still think walker could get 5 minutes in this series per game AND help.

[CoachBo]

This isn't realistic to ask of Paul, nor is it good strategy.

Pierce doesn't have an advantage in the post against Turk/Rashard. He needs to use his mid-range game to keep spacing, and chase them around the perimeter. So he won't be able to get 11 rebounds consistenly this series.

I agree. I don't like this strategy at all. TP. A board is a board, regardless of who gets it, and it will take Pierce scoring the basketball to win. I don't think you need to totally gut our approach to the game to win in this series.

And I also don't think you suddenly start giving minutes to rookies who haven't earned them.

[papa shuttlesworth]

While I agree that Paul shouldn't shift his focus to solely rebounding, I think he could get out of his little funk by just playing an all around game, letting the game come to him and not forcing anything.

It would be nice to see a box score tonight of 18 pts 9 rebs 6 assists and a couple steals.  Just an all around game in the flow of the offense.

[wiley]

While I agree that Paul shouldn't shift his focus to solely rebounding, I think he could get out of his little funk by just playing an all around game, letting the game come to him and not forcing anything.

It would be nice to see a box score tonight of 18 pts 9 rebs 6 assists and a couple steals.  Just an all around game in the flow of the offense.

TP

[wiley]

This isn't realistic to ask of Paul, nor is it good strategy.

Pierce doesn't have an advantage in the post against Turk/Rashard. He needs to use his mid-range game to keep spacing, and chase them around the perimeter. So he won't be able to get 11 rebounds consistenly this series.

I agree. I don't like this strategy at all. TP. A board is a board, regardless of who gets it, and it will take Pierce scoring the basketball to win. I don't think you need to totally gut our approach to the game to win in this series.

And I also don't think you suddenly start giving minutes to rookies who haven't earned them.

I think the OP is partly looking ahead to Cleveland.  No one is talking about Paul acting like a center, but he is a big strong dude who can do some damage down low, partly with speed and partly with blocking out.  Agree it's a tall task against Lewis and Turkoglu and also against Cleveland, but every little bit helps imo.

I have no problem if Pierce scores 40 points.  The problem is that after such a game people start saying that that's the only way we can win.  It's not the only way.  The Celts can win with Paul doing a few of the things the media tends to undervalue. (natural given that point scoring is the most exciting aspect of bball, but problematic if Paul internalizes the message).

[TitleMaster]

"I sleep ALL DAY...how can I be tired" - Paul Pierce

Sleep all day, crash the boards by night, no need to waste the outside jumpshot when not necessary. That'll keep him fresh for the Cleveland series.

I think the OP is partly looking ahead to Cleveland.  No one is talking about Paul acting like a center, but he is a big strong dude who can do some damage down low, partly with speed and partly with blocking out.

I have no problem if Pierce scores 40 points.  The problem is that after such a game people start saying that that's the only way we can win.  It's not the only way.

Yes, that's the idea. It keeps the others on the same page that is that it's the overall team scoring, not Clark Kent, which makes a series.

In addition, I do want to reiterate the fact that we don't have a two-headed monster of a frontline (Perks/KG back-to-back with Powe/BBD). The frontline is a lot thinner than the guard situation and in effect, we will lose games when opponents' outrebound us, thus keeping the play alive. Pierce does not need to be a 4, to exhibit leadership on the glass, it's just a matter of one's attention.

[Fafnir]

This isn't realistic to ask of Paul, nor is it good strategy.

Pierce doesn't have an advantage in the post against Turk/Rashard. He needs to use his mid-range game to keep spacing, and chase them around the perimeter. So he won't be able to get 11 rebounds consistenly this series.

I agree. I don't like this strategy at all. TP. A board is a board, regardless of who gets it, and it will take Pierce scoring the basketball to win. I don't think you need to totally gut our approach to the game to win in this series.

And I also don't think you suddenly start giving minutes to rookies who haven't earned them.

I think the OP is partly looking ahead to Cleveland.  No one is talking about Paul acting like a center, but he is a big strong dude who can do some damage down low, partly with speed and partly with blocking out.  Agree it's a tall task against Lewis and Turkoglu and also against Cleveland, but every little bit helps imo.

I have no problem if Pierce scores 40 points.  The problem is that after such a game people start saying that that's the only way we can win.  It's not the only way.  The Celts can win with Paul doing a few of the things the media tends to undervalue. (natural given that point scoring is the most exciting aspect of bball, but problematic if Paul internalizes the message).

Pierce isn't going to put up double digit rebounding numbers. He doesn't have the hops nor does he play close enough to the hoop anymore. He still is a good rebounding SF.

The real keys for Paul are avoiding turnovers, avoiding foul trouble, and being efficient with the ball overall. Much more important than him taking less shots and rebounding more.

[Fafnir]

"I sleep ALL DAY...how can I be tired" - Paul Pierce

Sleep all day, crash the boards by night, no need to waste the outside jumpshot when not necessary. That'll keep him fresh for the Cleveland series.

Yes, that's the idea. It keeps the others on the same page that is that it's the overall team scoring, not Clark Kent, which makes a series.

In addition, I do want to reiterate the fact that we don't have a two-headed monster of a frontline (Perks/KG back-to-back with Powe/BBD). The frontline is a lot thinner than the guard situation and in effect, we will lose games when opponents' outrebound us, thus keeping the play alive. Pierce does not need to be a 4, to exhibit leadership on the glass, it's just a matter of one's attention.

He needs to move the ball and avoid turnoevers most of all. That I agree with you. Extra effort rebounding isn't the case though. We need Paul to space the floor for Rondo and our bigs. We also need him to stick with his man and get back in transition. Rashard/Hedo/LeBron need to be covered in transition more than we need him crashing on many plays.