I'd Rather trade Pierce than Allen

[Who]

I'm warming up the idea of Pierce finishing his career somewhere else. Even if he's not traded, his Celtics future will be an issue in 2012.

The Celtics best opportunity to rebuild on the run appears to be the summer of 2012. Letting the Big Three's contracts expire + Sheed + any role players acquired between now and then. Then use all that cap space to find an elite talent or two to put alongside Rajon Rondo and possibly Kendrick Perkins.

Under that plan, Paul Pierce and his new deal is a liability. They need his contract off the books to maximize their free agency opportunities. So even if the Celtics refuse to trade Pierce due to service to the club they'll be placed in a highly difficult situation when tasked with rebuilding/retooling in 2012.

Consequently, I'm warming up the idea of exploring trading Paul Pierce's expiring contract next season.

[PosImpos]

Pierce will never be traded.  I'm okay with the rebuilding process taking an extra year or two if it means Pierce is a Celtic for life.  Seriously.

Pierce also brings way, way more to this team right now than Ray Allen.  He's also the youngest of the Big 3. 

[Pucaccia]

I don't know if you've watched the Celtics for a long time, but when Pierce is healthy he's one of the best fourth quarter scorers in the NBA over the past decade. See the 2008 playoffs.

Yeah your right, I probably haven't been watching the Celts for as long as you.  I only starting watching since 1969. On a fuzzy black and white TV. I hate to admit it but Yes,I am that old!  The Celts are better playing as a team, not when Pierce is taking over the 4th quarter.  Sometimes Pierce does well in the fourth, most times it just takes everyone else out of the flow.  The best C's teams always played as a team, Hondo, Russell, Cousy, Jo Jo, Cowens, Bird.  They dominated but never hogged the ball in the fourth.

BTW.  I blame Doc more than Pierce.  He should see it.

Yeah, I'm not a big fan of the iso basketball being played down the stretch of a lot of these games. I think the result of which has caused some of these 4th quarter meltdowns. I don't however want Pierce going anywhere. Perhaps a 4th quarter philosophy change with our current roster would be sufficient?

This is exactly my point.  A fourth quarter philosophy change.  Instead of going "iso" and instead of preaching "we need stops" maybe the Celts/Doc should go make sure the C's stay focused on offense.

[Birdbrain]

I don't know if you've watched the Celtics for a long time, but when Pierce is healthy he's one of the best fourth quarter scorers in the NBA over the past decade. See the 2008 playoffs.

Yeah your right, I probably haven't been watching the Celts for as long as you.  I only starting watching since 1969. On a fuzzy black and white TV. I hate to admit it but Yes,I am that old!  The Celts are better playing as a team, not when Pierce is taking over the 4th quarter.  Sometimes Pierce does well in the fourth, most times it just takes everyone else out of the flow.  The best C's teams always played as a team, Hondo, Russell, Cousy, Jo Jo, Cowens, Bird.  They dominated but never hogged the ball in the fourth.

BTW.  I blame Doc more than Pierce.  He should see it.

Yeah, I'm not a big fan of the iso basketball being played down the stretch of a lot of these games. I think the result of which has caused some of these 4th quarter meltdowns. I don't however want Pierce going anywhere. Perhaps a 4th quarter philosophy change with our current roster would be sufficient?

This is exactly my point.  A fourth quarter philosophy change.  Instead of going "iso" and instead of preaching "we need stops" maybe the Celts/Doc should go make sure the C's stay focused on offense.

That's fine but, it really has nothing to do with the fact that ray's game is at it's tail end and with his salary they can bring back some talented youth.

[BballTim]

I don't know if you've watched the Celtics for a long time, but when Pierce is healthy he's one of the best fourth quarter scorers in the NBA over the past decade. See the 2008 playoffs.

Yeah your right, I probably haven't been watching the Celts for as long as you.  I only starting watching since 1969. On a fuzzy black and white TV. I hate to admit it but Yes,I am that old!  The Celts are better playing as a team, not when Pierce is taking over the 4th quarter.  Sometimes Pierce does well in the fourth, most times it just takes everyone else out of the flow.  The best C's teams always played as a team, Hondo, Russell, Cousy, Jo Jo, Cowens, Bird.  They dominated but never hogged the ball in the fourth.

BTW.  I blame Doc more than Pierce.  He should see it.

Yeah, I'm not a big fan of the iso basketball being played down the stretch of a lot of these games. I think the result of which has caused some of these 4th quarter meltdowns. I don't however want Pierce going anywhere. Perhaps a 4th quarter philosophy change with our current roster would be sufficient?

This is exactly my point.  A fourth quarter philosophy change.  Instead of going "iso" and instead of preaching "we need stops" maybe the Celts/Doc should go make sure the C's stay focused on offense.

  I agree with this, but trading away Pierce because of it qualifies as throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

[sk7326]

Pierce is no longer the great offensive player he was.  He is a good one though.  So this makes him no worse than Allen - and Pierce still creates value with the frequency of getting to the line.  Doc keeps miles off of him on offense, which is good in the long term.  However, Pierce is a great perimeter defender, best on the team, and has evolved since 2007.  He has always been a gifted one, but now the effort is there.  He is a huge part of the defensive identity of this team.  Nobody is untradeable - but choosing between Allen and Pierce, there is no comparison. 

[crownsy]

Blog rules would not allow me to say what I really think about this.... So I will just sigh at the thought and roll my eyes 

/co-sign