Pierce is our best player

[TitleMaster]

Here's the reason why we're in good shape...

For the most part, the Celtics play team defense. Aside from KG, there isn't one defender who isn't replaceable within the system.

On the other hand, what we can't have is Pierce play extended minutes during playoff games. That's when PP starts to get streak-y. With Green, as his primary backup, Pierce will get plenty of rest for most of the contests.

As for Ray Ray, he is a streak-y shooter, as we'd noticed during both the '08 and '10 playoffs. The problem is that he goes cold w/o notice. This is a re-occurring issue.

I suspect that Pierce, with limited minutes, will be firing on all cylinders and will win most games for us, if we're in the crunch. Thus, I'm not worried, since I don't expect to see him do back-to-back 40+ min games.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Pierce has been great this year. He should be in the MVP race somewhere.

[snively]

Pierce has been great, but he's had stinkers like everyone else. 

I'd say KG has been our best player, with Rondo slightly ahead of Pierce for 2nd best.

I do think Pierce is primed to explode as a scorer with Jeff Green on board.  Ray Allen's lack of size and one-on-one game has allowed opposing teams to uniformly sick their biggest, most physical and capable wing defenders on Pierce.  He's going to feast on 2-guards when he plays with Jeff Green.

[TitleMaster]

Pierce has been great this year. He should be in the MVP race somewhere.

And just it, he's basically an unnoticed MVP.

I think folks here are too worried about the team framework falling apart w/o Perks or with the injury prone O'Neils.

What we'd lacked in both '09 and '10 was a backup for Pierce. And Pierce, being an older player, can't play like he did back in '02 for many minutes, but limit those minutes and he's fabulous.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I think I read somewhere he's leading the league in +/- and is among the leaders in points per possession.

[TitleMaster]

Pierce has been great, but he's had stinkers like everyone else. 

I think his main stinker was the one with the bad knees where he'd missed everything. I think the playoff schedule, with mandatory one day off between games, will minimize those soreness factors along with Green on the court to keep the minutes down.

[the_Bird]

Pierce has been great this year. He should be in the MVP race somewhere.

...  hopefully it's the Finals MVP....

[Bankshot]

Pierce has always been the Celtics best player.  Nothing has changed, imo.

[FatjohnReturns]

Yea absolutely tp. You can see the uptick in his game with reduced minutes. The thunderous dunk last night. The behind the back to Nenad for two.

Thats what I believe the Perkins trade was all about. The last couple years the dropoff in Pauls game from November thru April has been visable. He is at a point in his career where he just cant take the grind for 40 minutes 82 games a year. Enter Jeff Green.

Pierce really is not given enough credit for his contributions.
He and Ray are our best offensive players. KG and Pierce are our best defenders. Pierce and KG are our emotional leaders. Pierce plays thru injury and steps up big when we need it.

He is our rock and our captain.

[Atzar]

I'd forgotten how much Pierce enjoys dunking until this year.  When he's in shape and healthy, he can still throw it down. 

[Fafnir]

I still think KG is our best player, his offense has fallen off but his defense and rebounding remain at an elite level. Given his size and position that makes him our best player, though overall its very close between KG/Pierce/Rondo.

[GreenFaith1819]

Pierce has his Swag in full motion this year...he hasn't had "it" every game, but I feel very confident vs LA's Ron Ron or Matt Barnes with how Paul has played so far.

When June comes, Paul will really unleash the beast - especially with Jeff taking some pressure off of him.

Thank You, Danny!

[fairweatherfan]

That dunk was really, really nice.  The good thing about the Green trade is we don't have to pray for blowouts to get Pierce some rest anymore. 

Honestly, it sounds diplomatic, but I have a hard time putting any of the Big 4 above the rest.  Some are less consistent than others (*cough*Rondo!*cough*) but they each play such a huge, distinct role in making our team what it is that it's hard to identify a clear #1.

[clover]

Here's the reason why we're in good shape...

For the most part, the Celtics play team defense. Aside from KG, there isn't one defender who isn't replaceable within the system.

On the other hand, what we can't have is Pierce play extended minutes during playoff games. That's when PP starts to get streak-y. With Green, as his primary backup, Pierce will get plenty of rest for most of the contests.

As for Ray Ray, he is a streak-y shooter, as we'd noticed during both the '08 and '10 playoffs. The problem is that he goes cold w/o notice. This is a re-occurring issue.

I suspect that Pierce, with limited minutes, will be firing on all cylinders and will win most games for us, if we're in the crunch. Thus, I'm not worried, since I don't expect to see him do back-to-back 40+ min games.

Through the playoffs they absolutely can't do without KG. Was the same for Pierce until a week ago.  Now they actually could have a chance to do it without The Captain.

[pearljammer10]

Pierce has been great this year. He should be in the MVP race somewhere.

I was watching the game last night and I just kept saying, "I can't believe how great Pierce looks." I think he is playing at the rate like he was two to three years ago. He is blowing by defenders, passing the ball very well, and scoring at a high rate. This is the best he has played in a long while and it is great to see.