[Green Bandwagon Note: I promoted this to the front page because I think reader Georgia makes some great points. I actually think LeBron is a tough match up because a lot of Pierce's offense starts with him putting the ball on the floor and heading to the hoop. And LeBron is so big and fast that he can make that difficult. And I'd love to see Pierce drop 30+ as long as he does it with the efficiency he's shown at points throughout the season. Still great FanPost.]

Paul Pierce needs to step up and go for 30 or 40 tonight.  I know they all talk about "Ubuntu," but tonight is the night when Pierce has to tell his teammates, "Get on my back.  I'm going to carry you guys."

He can do it because there's no one on the Cleveland's roster that can guard him.  Not even close.  Once Pierce gets his mid-range game going, there's no way LeBron or anyone else can keep him from driving.  And once Pierce starts driving, they'll back off or get in foul trouble.  And once they back off, Pierce will drill the 3.  And once his 3s start falling, it's over.  Just like that, Pierce can put this team on his back and carry them to perhaps the most important victory of the series.  He has done it many, many times before.  He now has to do it again.  He has to.

Pierce has always been a big game player.  In his first ever playoff game, Pierce came out and gunned down the Iverson-led Sixers that went to the Finals the year before.  He then dropped his playoff career high 46 points in the elimination game.  And who can forget "The Comeback" or the dagger he drilled in Al Harrington's face a year later?  Even when he had his meltdown against Indiana a few years ago, Pierce was still our most potent threat and delivered at least in numbers.  So it's puzzling, troubling and alarming when I watch Paul Pierce, with Wally Szczerbiak in his face, keeps passing the ball to Kendrick Perkins in the post being guarded by 7'3" Z Ilgauskas.

Paul Pierce needs to step up.  He needs to demand the ball and abuse their defense like he knows how.  No more mediocre offensive numbers from Paul.  I am demanding greatness from a player who considers himself great.  So, let's see it, Paul Pierce.  It's your time.