What's up with Pierce?

[ScoobyDoo]

I don't buy that Pierce is "suddenly old". He looked just fine at the beginning of the year. He was very spry. And I don't buy that now that roughly half the season has gone by, he's just showing it.

He was fine until the knee thing popped up. I think he must have some sort of nagging, crhonic thing he's working through.

He doesn't look old so much to me. He looks more like he's just not 100% percent right somehow.

Thoughts?   

[PosImpos]

he's having to carry the team and though he's not too old, he's too old to carry the team for a whole month.

[ManUp]

he's having to carry the team and though he's not too old, he's too old to carry the team for a whole month.

Agreed.

I just hope this team steps up before he empties the tank like last year.

[KungPoweChicken]

Nothing is wrong with him. He has been playing great lately, though moving slowly on the court.

[GroverTheClover]

Pierce definently looked 100% when he dropped 35 on the Hawks (albeit in a losing effort).

It's the offensive that looks stagnant. Often times it looks like the starters are just out there playing a pickup game with no ball movement.

[Chris]

I think Pierce learned from last years playoffs, when he was absolutely spent, and useless, and he is on cruise control this regular season.  He has actually morphed a bit into a much more efficient shooter, but he hasn't been taking over games, and driving as much as he has in the past.  I think we will see the old Pierce come playoff time, and hopefully he will have a lot more left in the tank than he did last year, because he has been taking it easier.

[TBreezy]

I am mostly concerned with House and Ray, and to a lesser extent BIG baby.  All three look (anecdotally) to be having subpar shooting years.

We need to reevaluate once 'Quis is dancing again.  The second unit seems to lack tenacity for whatever reason.  Even house's d seems off from the effort he has given in the past (not that he was ever a stopper).

[Who]

I don't buy that Pierce is "suddenly old". He looked just fine at the beginning of the year. He was very spry. And I don't buy that now that roughly half the season has gone by, he's just showing it.

He was fine until the knee thing popped up. I think he must have some sort of nagging, crhonic thing he's working through.

He doesn't look old so much to me. He looks more like he's just not 100% percent right somehow.

Thoughts?   

I was watching some of the early season games on tape over the past few days and I was amazed at how much worse Pierce looks physically.

Then again, it was the same thing last season. He looked fantastic physically early on and gradually got worse as the season continued. This could be an injury, or a recovery process from injury, or just be the way things are now for Pierce.

[hpantazo]

according to Doc in the globe, he thinks both Pierce and Garnett are now healthy but not in shape to compete at a high level because of the time they missed due to their injuries. It sounds like they both need time to get their legs back and get back into the flow of the games. It makes sense. KG didn't start looking good until mid December this year, and look how long it took Tony Allen to get back into game shape. I think these guys will be fine in a month or so. It's House and Glen Davis that I'm worried about.

[RAcker]

I think Pierce learned from last years playoffs, when he was absolutely spent, and useless, and he is on cruise control this regular season.  He has actually morphed a bit into a much more efficient shooter, but he hasn't been taking over games, and driving as much as he has in the past.  I think we will see the old Pierce come playoff time, and hopefully he will have a lot more left in the tank than he did last year, because he has been taking it easier.

We have a lot of guys that appear to be on cruise control this year besides Pierce.  KG looks hesitant and it's understandable since he has missed time with the knee again.  However, what is BBD's excuse? Or Eddie House?  Rasheed has always looked like he's going through the motions except for when he's crying and moaning.  We all also notice times when Rondo seems to shut it down for possessions, especially late in games where he defers to the Big 3.

Pierce and KG may be the only two where this cruise control mode is understandable. Everyone else needs to get their butts in gear.

On a somewhat positive note, I will say that I've noticed Ray really giving it his all lately...even to the point of pressing too much.  Problem is, he just can't get the ball to drop on the offensive end.  Let's give props to him for how hard he played on the defensive end against the likes of Kobe Bryant and Joe Johnson.

[Chris]

I think Pierce learned from last years playoffs, when he was absolutely spent, and useless, and he is on cruise control this regular season.  He has actually morphed a bit into a much more efficient shooter, but he hasn't been taking over games, and driving as much as he has in the past.  I think we will see the old Pierce come playoff time, and hopefully he will have a lot more left in the tank than he did last year, because he has been taking it easier.

We have a lot of guys that appear to be on cruise control this year besides Pierce.  KG looks hesitant and it's understandable since he has missed time with the knee again.  However, what is BBD's excuse? Or Eddie House?  Rasheed has always looked like he's going through the motions except for when he's crying and moaning.  We all also notice times when Rondo seems to shut it down for possessions, especially late in games where he defers to the Big 3.

Pierce and KG may be the only two where this cruise control mode is understandable. Everyone else needs to get their butts in gear.

On a somewhat positive note, I will say that I've noticed Ray really giving it his all lately...even to the point of pressing too much.  Problem is, he just can't get the ball to drop on the offensive end.  Let's give props to him for how hard he played on the defensive end against the likes of Kobe Bryant and Joe Johnson.

Agree with all of this.  While I think Pierce has been doing cruise control the right way (well, if that exists), guys like Wallace have been a disgrace. 

And you are right about Ray, he has clearly been working his butt off, and pressing lately, and while I think it has hurt him trying to come out of the shooting slump, he has been able to help the team with his defensive effort.

[moiso]

I'm not worried about Pierce.  It's a fact that he is a little older and can't get by guys like he used to, but he's fine.  I disagree with Doc that KG is simply out of shape.  He noticably limps and grimaces at times.
And as far as Wallace being on cruise control- he's been on cruise control for years and it doesn't change in the playoffs either.  He'll be jacking up the same three's and struggling to rebound then too.

[buellj814]

there's nothing wrong with pierce, three days ago he single handledly kept the celtics in the game against the hawks!

[xmuscularghandix]

I think that they're all looking ahead to the All-Star break so that they can rest.

[dasandruler]

Pierce has clearly lost a step.  its not even close.  this aint the truth from the champ run that went shot for shot with kobe and lebron.  no way maaan. but he's still a decent scorer for what its worth.