Artest can't stop Pierce

[Spicoli]

Seriously, after watching each game, i have seen Paul get to his sweet spots at will and put himself in good position to score each time. He does not look uncomfortable out there by Artest's defense. He is just missing. He can create room against Artest any time he wants, and if any screen is set for him, forget about it. Artest is a non-factor in screen/rolls. I think if we go to him early and often he can carry us in game 5 because like i said, he is constantly getting to his spots and getting room against Artest for good shots. If we go to him often, those misses will start to fall. Go to Pierce early in game 5 and we win.

[Spicoli]

Oops, sorry i just saw someone posted a similar thread to this. Didn't mean to make a duplicate thread on the same subject.

[PosImpos]

Yeah, I agree.  Pierce has struggled, but from what I've seen it doesn't look like it's Artest's doing.  Heck, in Game 3 Pierce had as much trouble with Luke Walton on him as he did with Artest dogging him.

The only moment in the series where it seemed like Artest got one on Pierce was the very beginning when Artest baited Pierce into a double technical.

[Bahku]

Nothing new ... Artest has never been able to stop The Truth, and very few players are able to do so, if any. That's why Lil' Ron resorted to pulling his shorts down ... out of sheer frustration.

[LarBrd33]

Nothing new ... Artest has never been able to stop The Truth, and very few players are able to do so, if any. That's why Lil' Ron resorted to pulling his shorts down ... out of sheer frustration.

I remember Pierce struggling against Artest in some games.  I think a lot of the perception probably comes from the 2004 playoffs when Indiana swept us in the first round. 

[FallGuy]

Pierce's postseason stats:

.478 from the right elbow.
.583 from the left elbow.

vs. Lakers

.250 from right elbow
.250 from left elbow

He keeps getting good looks at the hoop.

They're gonna fall before this series ends.

[Drucci]

Yep, Artest's defense on Pierce is way overrated. I kept thinking "what the hell are you saying?!" when Mike Breen & cie kept repeating "Artest's defense is bothering Pierce". Pierce got great looks like 75% of the time he got the ball but he simply missed shots he usually makes.

I hope we keep going to Paul tonight, he will probably be hot!

[celtics2]

Artest is like Rodman he just wants to get into the head of his opponent. He can be nasty and wear one down.

[guava_wrench]

Artest is like Rodman he just wants to get into the head of his opponent. He can be nasty and wear one down.

Exactly. Just because you get a good look doesn't mean the defender didn't do his part. If he wore you down to the point that you can't hit the shot, the defender did his part.

The idea that he gets a good look 75% of the time is completely unsupportable. He doesn't even shoot 75% of the time! If he is shooting, the numbers are skewed because you aren't counting the times he couldn't get free for a shot. Using numbers like that completely distorts the discussion because of the selection bias.