Parish says Pierce is best offensive player celtics ever had

[Moranis]

Pierce actually has a higher career TS% then Bird does.  Bird does have the higher eFG%.  Pierce is going to pass Bird this year for total points scored as well. 

That said Bird was better and I really don't think it is that close. 

[xmuscularghandix]

Paul Pierce has 25+ in 341 career games. Most of these are on bad teams where he was forced to deal with double teams.

[Tr1boy]

Isiah Thomas and Bird are in the same level. They both won 2 or 3 championships, were clutch and had amazing stat filled careers.

Unless your a homer you can't say Bird is so much better than Thomas. And don't even put any basketball player in the same level as Jordan. The guy is the best player ever to have played the game. If he didn't semi retire the bulls would have won 7 to 8 championships

[BballTim]

As a scorer, Pierce will surpass Bird next season in Points. So I don't know if that can be a debated anymore. I think Pierce would kill Bird one-on-one game.

  Pierce has already had 2 more healthy seasons than Bird. Paul might have been able to beat a late in his career Bird who could barely bend his back 1v1, but the Bird that won 3 mvps in a row? The 3 time all defense 2nd teamer who was a better shooter, scorer and rebounder than Pierce? Not so much.

[Celtics Fan]

As a scorer, Pierce will surpass Bird next season in Points. So I don't know if that can be a debated anymore. I think Pierce would kill Bird one-on-one game.

  Pierce has already had 2 more healthy seasons than Bird. Paul might have been able to beat a late in his career Bird who could barely bend his back 1v1, but the Bird that won 3 mvps in a row? The 3 time all defense 2nd teamer who was a better shooter, scorer and rebounder than Pierce? Not so much.

I love Larry Bird he was a Celtic great, Paul would murder Larry, and Larry would have murder Paul. A young Paul was just as dangerous as young Larry. Paul iso's are every undefendable, but however Larry J's were unblockable. So I say this they are equal but what set Larry from Paul are championship rings....

[BballTim]

Isiah Thomas and Bird are in the same level. They both won 2 or 3 championships, were clutch and had amazing stat filled careers.

Unless your a homer you can't say Bird is so much better than Thomas. And don't even put any basketball player in the same level as Jordan. The guy is the best player ever to have played the game. If he didn't semi retire the bulls would have won 7 to 8 championships

  I'd have to guess you didn't see the players you're discussing play.

  Thomas: averaged 19/4/9. 12 time all star, 3 time all nba 1st team, 2 time all nba 2nd team, 1 time finals mvp. No league mvp, finished top 5 in the voting once (5th).

  Bird: averaged 24/10/6. Also 12 time all-star. Rookie of the year. 9 time all nba 1st team, 1 time all nba 2nd team. 3 time all defense 2nd team. 2 times finals mvp. 3 time league mvp, finished top 5 in mvp voting 9 times (3 1st, 4 2nd, a 3rd and a 4th).

  In every healthy year of his career, Bird finished higher in mvp voting that Isiah ever did. People debated whether Bird was the best ever when he played, while Thomas was always considered a top 2 or three point guard in his time.

  Jordan's definitely in the running for best ever, but most of his competition is from Bird's era and earlier, so you'd probably put them on Thomas' level.

[BballTim]

As a scorer, Pierce will surpass Bird next season in Points. So I don't know if that can be a debated anymore. I think Pierce would kill Bird one-on-one game.

  Pierce has already had 2 more healthy seasons than Bird. Paul might have been able to beat a late in his career Bird who could barely bend his back 1v1, but the Bird that won 3 mvps in a row? The 3 time all defense 2nd teamer who was a better shooter, scorer and rebounder than Pierce? Not so much.

I love Larry Bird he was a Celtic great, Paul would murder Larry, and Larry would have murder Paul. A young Paul was just as dangerous as young Larry. Paul iso's are every undefendable, but however Larry J's were unblockable. So I say this they are equal but what set Larry from Paul are championship rings....

  And the 3 MVPs.

[Celtics Fan]

As a scorer, Pierce will surpass Bird next season in Points. So I don't know if that can be a debated anymore. I think Pierce would kill Bird one-on-one game.

  Pierce has already had 2 more healthy seasons than Bird. Paul might have been able to beat a late in his career Bird who could barely bend his back 1v1, but the Bird that won 3 mvps in a row? The 3 time all defense 2nd teamer who was a better shooter, scorer and rebounder than Pierce? Not so much.

I love Larry Bird he was a Celtic great, Paul would murder Larry, and Larry would have murder Paul. A young Paul was just as dangerous as young Larry. Paul iso's are every undefendable, but however Larry J's were unblockable. So I say this they are equal but what set Larry from Paul are championship rings....

  And the 3 MVPs.

Oh yeah I for got. Larry is a Celtic Great....Paul will get his time.

[Redz]

As a scorer, Pierce will surpass Bird next season in Points. So I don't know if that can be a debated anymore. I think Pierce would kill Bird one-on-one game.

  Pierce has already had 2 more healthy seasons than Bird. Paul might have been able to beat a late in his career Bird who could barely bend his back 1v1, but the Bird that won 3 mvps in a row? The 3 time all defense 2nd teamer who was a better shooter, scorer and rebounder than Pierce? Not so much.

I love Larry Bird he was a Celtic great, Paul would murder Larry, and Larry would have murder Paul. A young Paul was just as dangerous as young Larry. Paul iso's are every undefendable, but however Larry J's were unblockable. So I say this they are equal but what set Larry from Paul are championship rings....

  And the 3 MVPs.

...and the passing (and the rebounding, but I guess we're talking offense here)

[Roy Hobbs]

As a scorer, Pierce will surpass Bird next season in Points. So I don't know if that can be a debated anymore. I think Pierce would kill Bird one-on-one game.

  Pierce has already had 2 more healthy seasons than Bird. Paul might have been able to beat a late in his career Bird who could barely bend his back 1v1, but the Bird that won 3 mvps in a row? The 3 time all defense 2nd teamer who was a better shooter, scorer and rebounder than Pierce? Not so much.

I love Larry Bird he was a Celtic great, Paul would murder Larry, and Larry would have murder Paul. A young Paul was just as dangerous as young Larry. Paul iso's are every undefendable, but however Larry J's were unblockable. So I say this they are equal but what set Larry from Paul are championship rings....

  And the 3 MVPs.

...and the passing (and the rebounding, but I guess we're talking offense here)

... and the offensive rebounding.   

[Jon]

Being that Pierce is/was probably a superior defender to Larry Legend, saying that Pierce is the superior offensive player to Larry is tantamount to saying that Pierce is better than Bird.  And I don't think any of us really want to say that. 

I could buy that Pierce is the better scorer though. 

But Larry definitely beats him with passing and rebounding.  And you can't really argue with the 3 titles and MVPs.  Pierce, for as good as he is, isn't on that level. 

[Andy Jick]

You absolutely cannot compare players of other generations.  It's a different game as each comes and goes.  And I believe this argument is irrelevant. 

Sounds to me like Robert is pining for a job...

[guava_wrench]

You absolutely cannot compare players of other generations.  It's a different game as each comes and goes.  And I believe this argument is irrelevant. 

Sounds to me like Robert is pining for a job...

I agree -- assuming we are talking about reasonable comparisons. I feel safe saying Magic was better then Orien Greene. 

These conversations are fun, and people have made some strong arguments, but in the end, we are dealing with something subjective that can't be resolved. Arguing Kobe versus Lebron is difficult enough.

[Birdbrain]

No it's pretty easy to determine.  He was asked a question and didn't think it through or intentionally misspoke.

Bird had more game winners in 1 year than Pierce had in his whole career.   

[Fafnir]

Bird had more game winners in 1 year than Pierce had in his whole career.   

Huh, do you have a link?

Or did you just make this up.