What's up with Pierce?

[Tr1boy]

He is old, thats whats up.

Unlike say a Nowitzki or Kobe who both are blessed physically with height or athleticism to compensate for their age, Pierce is not blessed with either qualities.

Crafty can take you only so far in your career. Pierce still has a few more years to go, but rather should be coming off the bench, like Carter or Jason Kidd. Its time

[bobbyv]

He is old, thats whats up.

Unlike say a Nowitzki or Kobe who both are blessed physically with height or athleticism to compensate for their age, Pierce is not blessed with either qualities.

Crafty can take you only so far in your career. Pierce still has a few more years to go, but rather should be coming off the bench, like Carter or Jason Kidd. Its time

Even Dirk got knocked out of the first round last year. I still think Pierce should be starting though. He should not, however, be trying to carry a team. That's what Rondo and KG are here for.

[Celtics4ever]

He is showing his age, tough guy and a competitor.   I think he will takeover a game and will us to a victory, maybe tomorrow night.

[hpantazo]

He is old, thats whats up.

Unlike say a Nowitzki or Kobe who both are blessed physically with height or athleticism to compensate for their age, Pierce is not blessed with either qualities.

Crafty can take you only so far in your career. Pierce still has a few more years to go, but rather should be coming off the bench, like Carter or Jason Kidd. Its time

exactly. He's like the old guy at the playground who gets by the young kids with some crafty moves once in a while, but they eventually run him off the floor and wear him down.

[CapnDunks]

At this stage of the season, I'm surprised he can stand up straight for a full game, given his age.

Same honestly. Pretty sure he's been playing injured all year as well (pinched nerve). This is exactly why I laughed when people thought we'd be fine in the playoffs without Rondo. Such a joke... playoffs is a whole different level of basketball and PP and KG are not at a point in their lives where they can carry teams through these games. We weren't winning it all regardless even with Rondo (since he can't carry the team alone either) but I'm not shocked that the prospect of making it out of the first round is this bleak without him. Who didn't see this coming?

He was playing at a very high level less than a month ago, when he got his 3rd triple double. Maybe the pinched nerve is a night to night thing. His shooting has been so streaky this season.

[albas89]

Part of it is age, but Felton has been pushing him pretty blatantly off the spot with no calls, IMO.

This. Felton, Kidd and JR Smith are all allowed to body check Pierce at will, while Bradley and KG of all people, our best defenders, are more often than not in foul trouble. Makes perfect sense...

I'm so sick of this league!

[PhoSita]

[More Banners]

Pierce has quite a few years left in him - but in a Grant Hill-esque role, not as a #1 or 2 guy.

He has a few years of good all-around ball and 15/5 in him, and an occasional flashback game/half/move, but he can't carry it.

If we had a PG, we'd be the 1991 Celtics, with the aging Bird and McHale in Pierce/KG, Green as a young Reggie, Bradley as Shaw, Bass as Pinkney, etc.  2nd round out.

If we had Rondo and Sully, we're in the ECF again.