Pierce v. Artest

[Bahku]

Artest can't handle Pierce ... that's been proven over-and-over, (videos I posted earlier and Roy's stats), so no worries there at all. I think conversely we need Pierce to be on Kobe on the defensive end ... he's the only one who's been a thorn in Kobe's side over the years, and just plain shut him down in some very big games. (Tony needs to be used on Kobe as well ... I hope he's healthy!).

[Rondo_is_better]

Where did this myth come from that Artest can guard Pierce?? Artest is good at bodying, smaller weaker forwards. He also used to be good at moving his feet to stay in front of people -- not so much anymore. Pierce can get by him with his huge first step, so Artest will have to respect that, leaving him prone to the fade away.

[Ohio Celtics Fan]

Maybe, just maybe... we'll see this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD796H08J7w

[Bahku]

Here's a couple more to put the Artest Factor to rest:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD796H08J7w





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRPQX92KRwE




And to add a little more confidence to your doubts:

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




One more ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wX938uv5Oo

[Bankshot]

Where did this myth come from that Artest can guard Pierce?? Artest is good at bodying, smaller weaker forwards. He also used to be good at moving his feet to stay in front of people -- not so much anymore. Pierce can get by him with his huge first step, so Artest will have to respect that, leaving him prone to the fade away.

Pierce's shooting percentage is low and turnovers are higher when Artest guards him.  It's not a myth.

[Beat LA]

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

Hey Roy, the said numbers are nice, but they came against a Pacers team that was without Artest.  He was suspended for 73 games and the entire postseason for his role in the malace at the palace.  Just thought I should point that out.

I also think that Pierce's other numbers came on many shot attempts and poor fg%'s, because there was a time when Artest frustrated him (although this is pure speculation on my part because I started watching in 2004-05).

Also, this year's numbers, especially the game in Boston, are misleading due to the fact that Pierce was in foul trouble.

With all of that being said, I actually think that Paul enjoys playing against Artest.  I think it's gotten to the point where he really has had him figured out for quite some time now.  If Artest wants to play his literal hands-on defense, Pierce will counter with swinging his arms underneath Artests' and draw the foul.  If Ron Ron bodies him, Pierce can get past him easily with his first step.  If Ron backs off, Pierce can hit his midrange shot all day and/or use his pump fake to get Artest in the air and draw another foul.  Plus, Paul can play pick and roll and force Artest to negotiate screens, which is a definite struggle for him because of his size.

Bottom line - I just Paul to absolutely cream him.

[Roy Hobbs]

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

Hey Roy, the said numbers are nice, but they came against a Pacers team that was without Artest.  He was suspended for 73 games and the entire postseason for his role in the malace at the palace.  Just thought I should point that out.

Ha.  Oops.  Throw out 2005, then; the averages are still pretty good.  In fact, in that series, Pierce's scoring average was actually lower than those in which he went up against Artest.

[Rondo_is_better]

Where did this myth come from that Artest can guard Pierce?? Artest is good at bodying, smaller weaker forwards. He also used to be good at moving his feet to stay in front of people -- not so much anymore. Pierce can get by him with his huge first step, so Artest will have to respect that, leaving him prone to the fade away.

Pierce's shooting percentage is low and turnovers are higher when Artest guards him.  It's not a myth.

Then again there are innumerable clips of Pierce destroying Artest...

Even if what you're saying is true that's hardly a "wash" matchup. Just because we held Kobe to a lower shooting percentage and made him turn it over more in 2008 doesn't mean we shut down Kobe.

[Mr October]

TP, Bahku. Nice Pierce highlights.

Artest used to be the absolute best defender to throw at Pierce. But after a couple seasons, Pierce figured him out.

Paul Pierce is still an absolute beast of a player. He has all the tools - footwork, handle, passing, spins, drives, mid range, long range, man to man defense, team defense, passing, rebounding. The only thing he can't do is fly through the air like Kobe and Lebron.

[eggswithcheese]

If Ron backs off, Pierce can hit his midrange shot all day and/or use his pump fake to get Artest in the air and draw another foul. 

Artest doesn't try to block shots very often, so you won't really see him bite on shot fakes.

[eggswithcheese]

Ha.  Oops.  Throw out 2005, then; the averages are still pretty good.  In fact, in that series, Pierce's scoring average was actually lower than those in which he went up against Artest.

Those are the years Pierce was option #1, 2, 3, 4, etc....

[Bankshot]

Ha.  Oops.  Throw out 2005, then; the averages are still pretty good.  In fact, in that series, Pierce's scoring average was actually lower than those in which he went up against Artest.

Those are the years Pierce was option #1, 2, 3, 4, etc....

LOL True.

[Bahku]

Bump ... we've got at least two of these threads now ... probably should be merged.

[Beat LA]

Does anyone remember during the 2008 offseason when there was a rumor that Danny had tried to complete some sort of sign and trade deal with the Kings involving James Posey to acquire Ron Artest?  Could someone find it for me?  I've looked on the Google News Archive and the Archives hear and came up empty both times.   

BTW, if you could go back and do it all over again, would you have made the trade for Ron?  I remember being vehemently opposed to the idea at the time but, now that I think about it, and if I had known then about what would transpire during the 2008-09 campaign, I think that we should have gotten Artest.  Can you imagine him in Thibs' system? - what a monster team on the defensive end.  He would have been a phenomenal 6th man here.

Just a thought.

[NUM5BBK]

Laker fan here. How come no one has addressed Peirce's performance vs Artest THIS YEAR? I see stats from years ago but woudn't this year's stats be more indicitive of what we might see? Pierce is phenomenal but he's not the guy he was years ago. Neither is Ron. I just think that this year's stats are relevant yet no one is bringing them up.

Game 1 in Boston : 15 pts, 36%FG, 3 rbs, 1assist, 5 fouls, 4 TOs,
Game 2 in LA: 11pts, 44%FG, 6 rbs, 4 assists, 2 fouls, 1 TO

He played better in game 2 but he didnt have a big game. Was he hurt for either of these games?

Just sayin.