The top 10 small forwards of the last decade - #2 - Paul Pierce

[laverdad34]

BALL DON'T LIE - http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/The-top-10-small-forwards-of-the-last-decade?urn=nba,192853

2. Paul Pierce(notes)

One year, 2003-04, didn't work out all that well. Pierce slept through the entire season.

Actually, 2006-07 was kind of a drag, Pierce was hurt and the Celtics stunk it up, but other than that? He's been all you can ask for as a small forward. Kind of annoying, pretty potent, sound in all areas.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Is it me or does that list kinda suck? I need to do some digging and see if someone was missed.

[Quinn]

I like all the positive views on Pierce though, I always thought he was one of the lesser liked players in the league.

[Fafnir]

I view Manu as a SF but I can see him being considered a SG.

[Kwhit10]

Joe Johnson as a SF?  Doesn't he mostly play SG?

[PosImpos]

Some of those guys are more SGs.  Tracy has the size to be a SF but if I'm not mistaken he's played at SG a lot.  Joe Johnson is a SG.

I think this list more than anything highlights the fact that there aren't very many amazing SFs in the league - just a lot of solid ones.

Perhaps in the next decade you'll see more superstar SFs with Kevin Durant already blossoming, Granger taking the leap last year, Beasley with a lot of potential, and LeBron and Melo with a lot of their careers still ahead of them.

[feckless]

I agree Joe Johnson, TMac and Jefferson are 2's!

[2short]

Wow in Birds era there were so many GREAT small forwards.  After Lebron & Pierce that list is pretty blah.  Carmelo I can handle but the rest?  Does Wally make the top 20 
Joe Johnson is a sg.

[Truck Lewis]

Is it me or does that list kinda suck? I need to do some digging and see if someone was missed.

ya that was my first reaction....A really weak group.

[jackson_34]

-Lebron
-Pierce
-Melo
-Tmac
-Peja
-Jefferson
-Marion
-Mashburn
-Iggy
-Bowen

[fairweatherfan]

Happy to see Pierce at 2, but I agree it seems like a lazy list.  Where the heck is Marion?  Sure, his numbers are partly a product of the Phoenix system, but the guy can (could?) ball.  Being the best rebounding SF in the league should get him in by itself.

[xmuscularghandix]

1. Lebron James
2. Paul Pierce
3. Carmelo Anthony
4. Tracy Mcgrady
5. Peja Stojakovic
6. Shawn Marion
7. Richard Jefferson
8. Rashard Lewis
9. Teyshaun Prince
10.Andrei Kirilenko



Mashburn? he came into the league in 93' and was out by '04, how can he be the best of the past decade?

Johnson is an off-guard.

Iggy doesn't make this cut.

[Eja117]

That was a weird list.  TMac was hurt the whole decade so he should be disqualified anyway.  No Kobe? I guess he's a 2.

Jamal Mashburn?  No Michael Redd? Is he a two also? Iverson or is he a 1?

Just a weird list

A lot of guys who haven't done much or have been hurt for years

[Jon]

Some of those guys are more SGs.  Tracy has the size to be a SF but if I'm not mistaken he's played at SG a lot.  Joe Johnson is a SG.

I think this list more than anything highlights the fact that there aren't very many amazing SFs in the league - just a lot of solid ones.

Perhaps in the next decade you'll see more superstar SFs with Kevin Durant already blossoming, Granger taking the leap last year, Beasley with a lot of potential, and LeBron and Melo with a lot of their careers still ahead of them.

I'd argue also that there isn't always a great deal between a small forward and shooting guard as well. 

[ToppersBsktball10]

Why are McGrady and Joe Johnson on there?