Paul Pierce and the Hall of Fame

[ManUp]

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.

Lol, You haven't seen much of pre-Celtics Ray have you? Here's a sample...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_dnb_RoDMI

A lot of people don't seem to realize just how good Ray was. He's a lot slower, and less explosive than he used to be. He was a lot less streaky with the jumper and much more aggressive and affective with the drives. Prime Pierce and Prime Ray are probably a wash you might even be able to give Ray the edge. For the most part the difference is exposure Ray spent his best years (with the bucks) on television and playing in the olympics. Pierce, on the other hand, was playing on teams nobody wanted to watch.

[Truck Lewis]

basketball reference favors pierce's qualifications over ray

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/hof_prob_active.html

the only one i disagree with here is t-mac

[Donoghus]

basketball reference favors pierce's qualifications over ray

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/hof_prob_active.html

the only one i disagree with here is t-mac

You mean soon-to-be West All Star starter Tracy McGrady? 

[Truck Lewis]

basketball reference favors pierce's qualifications over ray

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/hof_prob_active.html

the only one i disagree with here is t-mac

You mean soon-to-be West All Star starter Tracy McGrady? 

i hope iverson doesnt end up getting the East Starter vote again 

[Fan from VT]

basketball reference favors pierce's qualifications over ray
http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/hof_prob_active.html

the only one i disagree with here is t-mac

Considering that that thing HEAVILY ways MVP awards (which are 100% subjective) it's amazing how close Pierce and Ray are to Dirk and Nash. Where would Nash rank if he hadn't stolen two mvps and it was just based on objective measures?

[Bahku]

When this team won the Championship, and Paul Pierce received the MVP of the Finals - a series in which he not only shut down Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, but absolutely embarrassed them in the last game - was when Paul Pierce gained the final element necessary for entrance into the HOF.

He has never gotten the recognition he deserves, because he is not the same level of arrogant show-off that players like Kobe, LeBron and CP3 are. But to find out his true meaning to this team, just ask the other players, (including Ray and KG), who they look to for guidance, inspiration and the "go-to" shot: the answer will be Paul Pierce.

And that's "The Truth" ... game over.

[Drucci]

When this team won the Championship, and Paul Pierce received the MVP of the Finals - a series in which he not only shut down Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, but absolutely embarrassed them in the last game - was when Paul Pierce gained the final element necessary for entrance into the HOF.

He has never gotten the recognition he deserves, because he is not the same level of arrogant show-off that players like Kobe, LeBron and CP3 are. But to find out his true meaning to this team, just ask the other players, (including Ray and KG), who they look to for guidance, inspiration and the "go-to" shot: the answer will be Paul Pierce.

And that's "The Truth" ... game over.

Paul Pierce deserves to enter the Hall of Fame when his career is over and I'm not worried about his chances because I know he will make it. The championship of 2008 gave him his ticket, and the fact that he has played for the same during his entire career is a valid point for his entrance too.

However I think that it's not so much his Finals performance that will be remembered (frankly, Ray deserved to win MVP on a pure statistical and impact basis) but his performance against Cleveland in the second round. Pierce was the Celtics playoffs MVP but not the Finals MVP in my opinion, but that's another debate.

[Kiorrik]

The championship of 2008 gave him his ticket

Yep, all three of his championship rings will get him into the Hall of Fame. Same for KG and Ray.

[papa shuttlesworth]

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.

Ray was also in the Dunk contest in '97.

[ManUp]

However I think that it's not so much his Finals performance that will be remembered (frankly, Ray deserved to win MVP on a pure statistical and impact basis) but his performance against Cleveland in the second round. Pierce was the Celtics playoffs MVP but not the Finals MVP in my opinion, but that's another debate.

You're absolutely right, I don't think it's even debate able.

[CelticG1]

I've always thought that KG (obviously) and Pierce have gotten more hall of fame recognition than Ray. Usually when I hear people talking about it they usually talk about KG and Pierce being locks and questioning Ray.

[Fafnir]

However I think that it's not so much his Finals performance that will be remembered (frankly, Ray deserved to win MVP on a pure statistical and impact basis) but his performance against Cleveland in the second round. Pierce was the Celtics playoffs MVP but not the Finals MVP in my opinion, but that's another debate.

You're absolutely right, I don't think it's even debate able.

Garnett had a better overall playoffs than Pierce. Garnett scored more, was more efficient, and was a better defender than Pierce. He certainly was more important to the overall team defense.

[twistedrico]

Paul Pierce is a LOCK for the HOF, end of discussion.

[jackson_34]

I always thought Pierce got plenty of recognition in regards to being HOF material (at least post-championship). I'm fairly certain the national commentators (miller, collins, albert, fratello, etc..) have all referred to the big three as HOF bound. Even the local commentators around the league that I endure since I can't always get mike and tommy's call mention this when their teams play the C's.

But regardless of this, I'm not sure it even matters about recognition during a players career. HOF is obviously all about retrospect, so I'm sure we will see Pierce's name mentioned in his post-playing days.

[GreenFaith1819]

Good Discussion.

I think Paul Pierce is lock for Hall of Fame, as soon as he is eligible. To me, he's been the backbone of the franchise since he's been here.

I look back at when he was almost taken from us during that nightclub incident...he came back from that near tragedy and played the rest of the season. Man of Heart IMO.

Yes KG and Ray Ray put us over the top recently, but Pierce (With Antoine's help of course) nearly took us to the NBA Finals just a few years ago.

He's endured several coaching changes as well, and with Doc Rivers he was willing to become a more efficient scorer during the latter portion of his career, meaning he was willing to get better.

He's NEVER complained..never held the city of Boston hostage..never made any trade demands to the media...his only request prior to the "Big Three" trade was that he wanted Danny to bring in some players to help him compete for a title, or he may have to leave. And to me he didn't grandstand for it.

I don't know if any of this will matter, but IMO this puts Paul Pierce into the Hall as soon as he is eligible.