Pierce v. Artest

[Bankshot]

I'm concerned about this matchup. I believe Pierce struggles when Artest guards him.  How do you think Pierce will handle this matchup?

[Roy Hobbs]

Paul's regular season production against Artest in their careers:

20.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 3.0 turnovers, 43.4% FG%, 38.9% 3PT%

This year, Artest contained him, but Pierce has also had some big performances in the past (including games with 36, 31, 26, 26, and 26 points).

In the playoffs, though, Pierce has really shined against Artest:

2002-03 Playoffs:

Game 1: 40 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists
Game 2: 14 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists
Game 3: 21 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists
Game 4: 37 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists
Game 5: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists
Game 6: 27 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists

2003-04 Playoffs:

Game 1: 20 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists
Game 2: 27 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Game 3: 9 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
Game 4: 27 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist

2004-05 Playoffs:

Game 1: 12 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists
Game 2: 33 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists
Game 3: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists
Game 4: 30 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists
Game 5: 27 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
Game 6: 20 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists
Game 7: 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists

Overall, he's averaging 23.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in the playoffs against Artest.  His turnovers are a little too high (3.6 per game, with some true stinkers in there), but I'll take that production any day.

[makaveli]

Paul will find his points one way or the other, Artest in not his old self but still a good defender but how much can you do against Paul Pierce when he gets that look like he had after being fouled hard by Pietrus and Howard

[Change]

Don't equate Kevin Durant struggles to Paul Pierce. Durantula doesn't have the array of move as Pierce. Pierce has great one-on-one. And his bread & butter is the step-back jumper. There is no defense to it. Not as concerned.

[Bankshot]

Don't equate Kevin Durant struggles to Paul Pierce. Durantula doesn't have the array of move as Pierce. Pierce has great one-on-one. And his bread & butter is the step-back jumper. There is no defense to it. Not as concerned.

I'm not equating Durant's struggles to Paul's.  I'm equating Paul's struggles with Paul's.  Artest did pretty much shut him down this year, which is more recent.  I don't remember if it was when Paul was struggling with injuries though.

[droopdog7]

Don't equate Kevin Durant struggles to Paul Pierce. Durantula doesn't have the array of move as Pierce. Pierce has great one-on-one. And his bread & butter is the step-back jumper. There is no defense to it. Not as concerned.

I'm not equating Durant's struggles to Paul's.  I'm equating Paul's struggles with Paul's.  Artest did pretty much shut him down this year, which is more recent.  I don't remember if it was when Paul was struggling with injuries though.

PP was struggling with injuries at the beginning of the year.   

[celticinorlando]

this isnt the same boston team LA saw twice this season

[Spicoli]

With each series, we have been exploiting all the matchups in our favor. Miami series it was Paul and Rondo, Cleveland series it was Rondo and Kevin, Orlando series it was Paul and Rondo again. This series it will be Rondo and Ray. Paul will get his points, but let's face it, Artest will make him shoot a lower percentage than he normally shoots. Paul needs to focus on getting rebounds, defending, and knocking down open shots. Trying to go one-on-one with Artest is not what they need.

[Bankshot]

With each series, we have been exploiting all the matchups in our favor. Miami series it was Paul and Rondo, Cleveland series it was Rondo and Kevin, Orlando series it was Paul and Rondo again. This series it will be Rondo and Ray. Paul will get his points, but let's face it, Artest will make him shoot a lower percentage than he normally shoots. Paul needs to focus on getting rebounds, defending, and knocking down open shots. Trying to go one-on-one with Artest is not what they need.

I agree with this.

Thanks for all the positive responses.  I feel better about the matchup now.

[celticinorlando]

i think ray allen is going to have a big big series

[Spicoli]

i think ray allen is going to have a big big series

Totally agree. I think finals MVP will be between either Ray or Rondo. If Kobe does in fact, switch onto Rondo, that means Fisher will be guarding Ray. Oh boy, my mouth is watering at the very thought of this. Ray is going to absolutely light Fisher up. He is too small to bother his shot. I've always felt as though when Ray gets going, our entire offense looks better/more fluid.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Don't equate Kevin Durant struggles to Paul Pierce. Durantula doesn't have the array of move as Pierce. Pierce has great one-on-one. And his bread & butter is the step-back jumper. There is no defense to it. Not as concerned.

I'm not equating Durant's struggles to Paul's.  I'm equating Paul's struggles with Paul's.  Artest did pretty much shut him down this year, which is more recent.  I don't remember if it was when Paul was struggling with injuries though.

Same thing was being said about Vince Carter.

I'm not worried about Artest defending Pierce. If anything I'm worried about Pierce just playing well regardless.

[birdwatcher]

I don't think the Pierce/Artest match up is the problem alone. The real factor will be if Pierce guards Kobe for a majority of the games like he did LeBron. Two things seem to slow Pierce's production--exerting a lot of energy on the defensive end and foul trouble. If Pierce does guard Kobe and gets a couple quick whistles, he may have a hard time finding his stroke--especially with Artest on him. He's going to have to go ballz out on both ends and is still going to need good team D to stop Kobe. He also needs to stay aggressive on both ends, keeping Kobe from getting good shots and getting to the foul line himself. So I guess foul trouble for Paul will be one of the bigger things to watch in this series.

[rjsuperfly66]

Didn't all the media heads proclaim Matt Barnes to be a physical, shut down defender, and look where that got him? A trip to OWNEDVILLE.

I personally think Ray will have to be lights out for the Celts to win the series, as I think he will be covered by Fisher alot, clearly a mismatch.

[Edgar]

Don't equate Kevin Durant struggles to Paul Pierce. Durantula doesn't have the array of move as Pierce. Pierce has great one-on-one. And his bread & butter is the step-back jumper. There is no defense to it. Not as concerned.

I'm not equating Durant's struggles to Paul's.  I'm equating Paul's struggles with Paul's.  Artest did pretty much shut him down this year, which is more recent.  I don't remember if it was when Paul was struggling with injuries though.

for the lakers to win
Gasol have to dominate KG
artest pp
kobe ray
and rondo have to stink
2 outo4 and this series will be toooooooooooo close to handle so nothing will be said here that will change the outcome of  it
believe

Cs