Paul Pierce and the Hall of Fame

[greg683x]

Paul Pierce deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, I know he does, and Im sure everyone on this blog knows he does.  It's been talked about in threads before and Im sure most of you have seen the list of accomplishments he has and the statistical categories he either leads or is ranked very highly  with some very stiff competition whether it be with all NBA players or just the Celtic elite.

What I dont get is why people around the NBA dont recognize this.  Maybe it's just me, but have you guys ever noticed during the nationally televised games,  watching games on an opponents broadcast on league pass, or on sports discussion shows, that a lot of the times Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are referred to as sure thing hall of famers many many times, and Paul Pierce doesnt get the same tag along with them.  Like for instance, when theyre talking about the big 3 as a whole theyll all get referred to as hall of famers, but whenever theyre talking about Pierce himself, I RARELY hear him referred to as a future hall of famer.  Where as with Garnett and Allen, it's almost like a tag thats attached to their name now.  Garnett is obviously the biggest shoe-in out of the 3 of them, and rightfully so.  However, I dont understand what is so different about the career paths of Ray Allen and Pierce.

Some people will say that Ray has had more exposure than Pierce in his career, but seeing as how he played in Milwaukee and Seattle, it doesnt make sense to me.  Ray was in 'He Got Game' I guess which made him somewhat of a basketball icon???  Maybe.  Ray's never been flashy, never drawn a lot of attention, was never known for highlight reel dunks.  So really, what sets him apart him Pierce.  I just cant think of anything off the top of my head that really separates the two.

....or do you think a lot of this is the product of the Olympics fiasco with Pierce that really put him in a bad light for a while?

[Fan from VT]

Ray was higher drafted and has been in the league two years longer as well. That could contribute to the perception. I think he was more recognized in college, too.

[greg683x]

Ray was higher drafted and has been in the league two years longer as well. That could contribute to the perception. I think he was more recognized in college, too.

I suppose.  I was also thinking that it also has to do with Pierces game.  Ray Allen is an excellent lights out shooter, hes known as one of the greatest shooters of all time, but thats really the only thing that he brings to the table other than savy veteran plays.

Pierce doesnt have an attribute like that to his game.  Pierce to me seems like a player who does EVERYTHING Good, and doesnt stand above the rest in any one particular one aspect of his game.  For example Pierce is a good shooter, but hes not the BEST shooter. 

[Amonkey]

I think it's because Ray has always been known as a streaky shooter with a beautiful touch.  All fans can appreciate a beautiful shot like Reggie Miller and Ray's.  KG was completely dominant for a long period of time.  However, Pierce's game is not like Ray or KG.  Worse, Pierce's game is not like Wade and Lebron which involves a lot of flashy dunks.  Pierce has never been a flashy player.  The beauty of his game is the ability to take to the hoop.  He's got some of the best body control and he has a strong upper body that he can finish the shot even after a foul.  However, Pierce's moves don't make it to Sportscenter and that is why I think he becomes underrated.  I believe that Pierce's game is most closely related to Carmelo Anthony who is the leading scorer on the NBA but I think would still be behind Lebron, Wade and Kobe in terms of superstardom.

[Redz]

Pierce is also viewed by many as a flopper, complainer, wisenheimer, injury faking pouty kinda guy.

[dark_lord]

the hall of fame is the furthest thing in my mind right now.  i want more titles.  once he retires, then i will think about it.  waiting until he retires will help with looking at the entire body of work.

[Roy Hobbs]

I think that many fans and those in the media perceive KG and Ray having better careers than Pierce, but I don't get the sense that most think that PP isn't worthy for the Hall.  Once he won a championship, I think Paul's HOF ticket was punched.

[nyceltsfan]

I think the point that a lot of people are missing is that Pierce is THE go-to guy on this team.  In 2008, Pierce put up the big game 7 to get them to the ECF.  Pierce put the team on his shoulders in the NBA finals.  When they need a big basket, they go to Pierce.  And that's only offense.

How many times does Pierce defend the opposition's best offensive player?  How about that game 4 against Kobe in the finals?  Or every game against LeBron?

KG has repeatedly said that Pierce is the captain and the leader of this team, and to be looked at that way when the team encompasses the Big 3 (where the other 2 are viewed as sure-fire HOF'ers), should immediately punch his ticket to the HOF.

[greg683x]

I think that many fans and those in the media perceive KG and Ray having better careers than Pierce, but I don't get the sense that most think that PP isn't worthy for the Hall.  Once he won a championship, I think Paul's HOF ticket was punched.

do you think hes first ballot roy?  if not, say he won one more ring before he retired, then?  I think right now both KG and Ray are perceived as first ballot hall of famers.  While I think Pierce should be, at this point Im skeptical whether he'd get voted in the first time or not. 

I know this is a non important convo at this point in the season and in his career, and first ballot or not it shouldnt matter as long as he gets in.  Ive just always had a problem with Pierces lack of respect around the league.

[Roy Hobbs]

I think that many fans and those in the media perceive KG and Ray having better careers than Pierce, but I don't get the sense that most think that PP isn't worthy for the Hall.  Once he won a championship, I think Paul's HOF ticket was punched.

do you think hes first ballot roy?  if not, say he won one more ring before he retired, then?  I think right now both KG and Ray are perceived as first ballot hall of famers.  While I think Pierce should be, at this point Im skeptical whether he'd get voted in the first time or not. 

I know this is a non important convo at this point in the season and in his career, and first ballot or not it shouldnt matter as long as he gets in.  Ive just always had a problem with Pierces lack of respect around the league.

He deserves first ballot, but if Dominique didn't make it in on his first try, I don't know if Pierce will.

[Donoghus]

I think he's already in.  2007-'08 should've done that for him.  

He's had an interesting career arc.  Lot of early fame with that '02 ECF run then he had the whole World Championship debacle and the Indiana series and the terrible '06-07 season.  Bounced back in a huge way since KG & Ray came to town.  He's been an extremely consistent talent since breaking in the league and I think you can make a strong argument that he makes a 12 man "Team of the '00s" roster.  In my eyes, the '08 Finals MVP was the clincher.  He'll be in the hall of fame and, obviously, hanging from the rafters when all is said and done.

Anything from here on out is padding the resume and should only make in look better in the historical sense.

[Fan from VT]

I think that many fans and those in the media perceive KG and Ray having better careers than Pierce, but I don't get the sense that most think that PP isn't worthy for the Hall.  Once he won a championship, I think Paul's HOF ticket was punched.

do you think hes first ballot roy?  if not, say he won one more ring before he retired, then?  I think right now both KG and Ray are perceived as first ballot hall of famers.  While I think Pierce should be, at this point Im skeptical whether he'd get voted in the first time or not. 

I know this is a non important convo at this point in the season and in his career, and first ballot or not it shouldnt matter as long as he gets in.  Ive just always had a problem with Pierces lack of respect around the league.

He deserves first ballot, but if Dominique didn't make it in on his first try, I don't know if Pierce will.

I agree with your analysis of the general perception. I think Pierce has always been the better player between he and Allen. Allen's the better shooter and has the all-time three record (or will) working in his favor in terms of HoF status, but I can't honestly say there was a single time past the year 2000 that a team would have wanted Ray over Pierce. He's always been the far better defender and all-around player, and just as clutch. More playoff success too, i believe. He should be a first balloter.

[Neurotic Guy]

I usually don't comment in HOF discussions simply because I don't really care about who is/isn't enshrined in a sports museum.  These guys get plenty of recognition their whole lives for playing sports.  I understand HOF may be important to the player himself and his family, but to me it really is pretty irelevant.  

But my comment here is this: Pierce is only a year younger than KG and 2 younger than Ray, which means he is (and is strongly perceived as) the youngest of the Big 3. Thus, he doesn't get the same 'old-timer/ all-time' status afforded Ray and KG (who seem like they've been in the league forever).  However, I can't imagine too many basketball observers who wouldn't think Pierce is a no-brainer HOFer.

[scoop]

However, I can't imagine too many basketball observers who wouldn't think Pierce is a no-brainer HOFer.

Me neither. Not a first ballot, but he'll be there quickly. I think this is pretty much consensual these days. 

[davemonsterband]

Yep, what Roy said. He's in.