The difference between PP and KG….Is it over for PP?

[coco]

For about 2 seasons now, PP appears to have no lift on his legs.  It was evident during the playoffs last season and was fairly attributed to fatigue.  I’ve been patient this season waiting for PP to start dominating on 4th quarters the way he used to, but it isn’t happening.  Actually, KP and RR appear to be pairing up on most 4th quarter plays – which can’t be good.  I am not talking about taking the final shot, but calling his number every time down the floor on crunch time and that is not happening for one reason or the other…..but most likely because he isn’t as reliable as he used to.

KG situation is different.  Although he is not the Kevin of old, KG still make his presence felt on the defensive end.  Rapidly degrading, but still effective on the boards.

The feeling/sense that I am getting recently is;  Is it over for PP? Is a 10pt/4rb night what we should be expecting from now on?  And if so, what are our options now and in the future? 

[BudweiserCeltic]

For about 2 seasons now, PP appears to have no lift on his legs.  It was evident during the playoffs last season and was fairly attributed to fatigue.  I’ve been patient this season waiting for PP to start dominating on 4th quarters the way he used to, but it isn’t happening.  Actually, KP and RR appear to be pairing up on most 4th quarter plays – which can’t be good.  I am not talking about taking the final shot, but calling his number every time down the floor on crunch time and that is not happening for one reason or the other…..but most likely because he isn’t as reliable as he used to.

KG situation is different.  Although he is not the Kevin of old, KG still make his presence felt on the defensive end.  Rapidly degrading, but still effective on the boards.

The feeling/sense that I am getting recently is;  Is it over for PP? Is a 10pt/4rb night what we should be expecting from now on?  And if so, what are our options now and in the future? 

You do realize that before he injured his foot and had his recent thumb injury that Pierce was pretty much the best player in our team throughout the whole season right?

[Bahku]

For about 2 seasons now, PP appears to have no lift on his legs.  It was evident during the playoffs last season and was fairly attributed to fatigue.  I’ve been patient this season waiting for PP to start dominating on 4th quarters the way he used to, but it isn’t happening.  Actually, KP and RR appear to be pairing up on most 4th quarter plays – which can’t be good.  I am not talking about taking the final shot, but calling his number every time down the floor on crunch time and that is not happening for one reason or the other…..but most likely because he isn’t as reliable as he used to.

KG situation is different.  Although he is not the Kevin of old, KG still make his presence felt on the defensive end.  Rapidly degrading, but still effective on the boards.

The feeling/sense that I am getting recently is;  Is it over for PP? Is a 10pt/4rb night what we should be expecting from now on?  And if so, what are our options now and in the future? 

You do realize that before he injured his foot and had his recent thumb injury that Pierce was pretty much the best player in our team throughout the whole season right?

Thank you, BC (TP) ... over?!? I mean, come ON! He has had struggles from injuries of late, but is far from through, and scores 17.6 average points per game in his quiest way, (the highest scoring average on the team), along with being 3rd in rebounds and third in assists. Please. 

[ssspence]

For about 2 seasons now, PP appears to have no lift on his legs.  It was evident during the playoffs last season and was fairly attributed to fatigue.  I’ve been patient this season waiting for PP to start dominating on 4th quarters the way he used to, but it isn’t happening.  Actually, KP and RR appear to be pairing up on most 4th quarter plays – which can’t be good.  I am not talking about taking the final shot, but calling his number every time down the floor on crunch time and that is not happening for one reason or the other…..but most likely because he isn’t as reliable as he used to.

KG situation is different.  Although he is not the Kevin of old, KG still make his presence felt on the defensive end.  Rapidly degrading, but still effective on the boards.

The feeling/sense that I am getting recently is;  Is it over for PP? Is a 10pt/4rb night what we should be expecting from now on?  And if so, what are our options now and in the future? 

You do realize that before he injured his foot and had his recent thumb injury that Pierce was pretty much the best player in our team throughout the whole season right?

Paul had been playing pretty efficiently (if not very aggressively) indeed, but to suggest the best player on the team this year has been anyone other than Rondo is absurd.

[BudweiserCeltic]

For about 2 seasons now, PP appears to have no lift on his legs.  It was evident during the playoffs last season and was fairly attributed to fatigue.  I’ve been patient this season waiting for PP to start dominating on 4th quarters the way he used to, but it isn’t happening.  Actually, KP and RR appear to be pairing up on most 4th quarter plays – which can’t be good.  I am not talking about taking the final shot, but calling his number every time down the floor on crunch time and that is not happening for one reason or the other…..but most likely because he isn’t as reliable as he used to.

KG situation is different.  Although he is not the Kevin of old, KG still make his presence felt on the defensive end.  Rapidly degrading, but still effective on the boards.

The feeling/sense that I am getting recently is;  Is it over for PP? Is a 10pt/4rb night what we should be expecting from now on?  And if so, what are our options now and in the future? 

You do realize that before he injured his foot and had his recent thumb injury that Pierce was pretty much the best player in our team throughout the whole season right?

Paul had been playing pretty efficiently (if not very aggressively) indeed, but to suggest the best player on the team this year has been anyone other than Rondo is absurd.

Silly me to suggest that a player that had been shooting around 50% and about 45% from 3-point land and averaging almost 20 points a game through most of the season might be our best player as absurd.

[Eddie20]

No lift? Didn't he posterize Bosh a couple of months back? He's doesn't have the same lift he did years ago, which is to be expected, but he still has a lot left in the tank. The real PP will emerge in the playoffs...

[slamtheking]

a little early to be giving up on PP I think.  Of the vets, he's the youngest with the least amount of mileage.

Although, to play devil's advocate, he'll be the one with the expiring deal next year.  If his production declines or becomes inconsistant next year as is being speculated by the OP as something currently occurring, does he get thrown into a load of trade proposals like Ray was this year? 

I don't see Danny trading him accept under the most unbelievable set of circumstances such as an absolute collapse of his skills and the team in general as well as complaints he wants off the team.

[housecall]

I think Paul is still playing thru some injuries(knees),age has little to do with his problems at the moment.(imo)

[LB3533]

PP will finish strong and haters will have to eat crow.

[coco]

Perhaps I've been watching a differnet PP this year.  The one that I've been watching looks pretty bad as of right now.

Hating PP? Are you kidding me? I love PP's game.  Having said that, taking into account his injuries, age, minutes on the floor and time to heal....I don't think we'll see the PP we've come used to expect.  Perhaps he'll give us an awesome game from time to time, but consistently? - and this has been going on since late last season by the way.

I am not advocting a trade, I am just pointing out that this new PP is more of the norm than the exception.

[GreenFaith1819]

I don't believe it's over for Paul Pierce...I would almost say that he has some sort of Nagging Injury..the kind that is not bad enough to sit him down, but enough to throw his game off.

And if this is true, then knowing Paul Pierce he won't tell Doc, or if Doc knows something Paul won't sit unless he wants to. Paul has a bad habit of playing through injuries.

I haven't seen him play the last 3-4 games, so others here may have a better look at how he has performed.

I somewhat feel sorry for Paul Pierce..he has come back literally from the dead (stabbing incident)..been through the losing...reached the mountaintop with the Title in 2007-2008....but by the time this all happened the man is worn out.

We are certainly seeing the last few years of Pierce, but the Captain has been good for us.

But he is not done, yet.

Not over for the man, I don't think, but Doc needs to continue to rest him....with Marquis and Finley, Pierce shouldn't be playing no more than 20 min a game I think.

With resting Paul like I stated, we win maybe 10-14 more games, but I'd be happy with 50-55 wins, and a fully healed Pierce.

KG is the man, sure, but if Pierce continues to play like he has the last 2-3 games we won't get far at all in the playoffs.

[celticsclay]

I don't believe it's over for Paul Pierce...I would almost say that he has some sort of Nagging Injury..the kind that is not bad enough to sit him down, but enough to throw his game off.

And if this is true, then knowing Paul Pierce he won't tell Doc, or if Doc knows something Paul won't sit unless he wants to. Paul has a bad habit of playing through injuries.

I haven't seen him play the last 3-4 games, so others here may have a better look at how he has performed.

I somewhat feel sorry for Paul Pierce..he has come back literally from the dead (stabbing incident)..been through the losing...reached the mountaintop with the Title in 2007-2008....but by the time this all happened the man is worn out.

We are certainly seeing the last few years of Pierce, but the Captain has been good for us.

But he is not done, yet.

Not over for the man, I don't think, but Doc needs to continue to rest him....with Marquis and Finley, Pierce shouldn't be playing no more than 20 min a game I think.

Sure - with resting Paul like I stated, we win maybe 10-14 more games, but I'd be happy with 50-55 wins, and a fully healed Pierce.

KG is the man, sure, but if Pierce continues to play like he has the last 2-3 games we won't get far at all in the playoffs.

Pierce is not a troublemaker by anything I have read, but if you played him 20 minutes a game he would not just take it. If he can play he is gonna play a minimum of 30 minutes. If he cant play 30 he should not be playing.

[Andy Jick]

It's not "over" for PP, but clearly the sun is setting and he's riding into the night.  I think the hardest thing about professional athletes (that you care about) is not when they lose a game or a series...

...it's when you come to the realization that 1) they will never be the player they once were, and 2) their career is winding down and heading to a conclusion.

Sad to say, but this team, as constructed, is over...  And PP has had a nice run and will probably have a few more shining moments left in his career.  But he's rounding third and heading for home...

[Who]

It is not over for Pierce ... but I do think he has declined considerably over the past two seasons and that decline is likely to prove more important than KG's or Ray's.

Paul Pierce is still an All-Star talent when healthy.

[footey]

Pierce is still recovering from his injuries no doubt. Plus he is saving himself for the playoffs.  The team realizes they aren't going to catch Cleveland, and after that the seeding does not really matter. I don't think a 4 seed bothers them so much. They are not afraid of Cleveland, certainly no more so than ORL or ATL.  The greatest strength of this team is its ability to play well on the road. They may be better off not having home court advantage starting in the second round!!