Paul Pierce's Legacy

by Jeff Clark on Jun 17, 2008 6:26 PM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

Two articles talking about Paul Pierce's legacy.

Before the season, Boston debated on whether Pierce’s number would ever dangle in the Garden rafters. Only champions hang in the Garden. The Basketball Hall of Fame hung in doubt, too. Now, his decade in Boston is so close to its validation. One more victory, a Finals MVP over Kobe Bryant, and Pierce, in the minds of most, will have made the improbable thirtysomething NBA journey as a player from good to great.

Bill Simmons:

To Pierce for playing two really good games (Game 1 and Game 2), one stinker (Game 3), one ESPN Classic Special (Game 4) and one jaw-dropper (Game 5). He lifted himself to another level in those last two games, willing himself to the basket time and time again (shades of MJ in the '98 playoffs) and playing some of the greatest defense that has ever been played against Kobe Bryant. He also carried himself with a remarkable level of composure, refusing to get riled up by bad calls or roped into a senseless trash-talking duel with Kobe.
In Game 6 against Detroit, after Bennett Salvatore's horrendous offensive-foul call that erased a potential four-point play for Pierce, what stood out more than anything was the way Pierce handled the whole thing. As recently as three seasons ago, he would have griped about the call, made a few faces, gotten T'ed up and let the whole sequence take him out of his game. In Detroit? He shook his head in disbelief, shook it off and took out his frustrations on the Pistons. I have been watching him for 10 solid years; in my opinion, that specific moment transformed the ceiling of his career from "just another good player" to "someone good enough to be the best player on a title team."

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This year, and especially in the playoffs, Pierce went from just another talented Celtic player to the guy I think we are all proud to call Captain of the Boston Celtics.

Superstar indeed. No one, not Billups, not LeBron James, not Kobe Bryant has been better than Pierce. The transformation has been remarkable. Pierce deserves a ton of credit, but I think he’s learned a lot this year from his new teammates too. Something has rubbed off.

by Thruthelookingglass on Jun 17, 2008 6:34 PM EDT reply actions

It’s true, if the Cs pull this off, I hope his contribution isn’t shaded because of having great players like Garnett and Allen by his side. He has been pretty heroic this series.

by Schupac on Jun 17, 2008 6:56 PM EDT reply actions

I said this in the “Ultimate Scenario” post earlier today, but I’ll say it again:

After wanting this win for myself as a fan, I most want it for Paul. To see him holding up the trophy in front of the Garden fans would just be awesome. Obviously, KG deserves a title after all this time, but it’s different for Pierce. Pierce is OUR guy. He’s had to play for so many years under those 16 banners, on so many bad teams, with so many legends having gone before him. I’m sure the pressure on him to bring the title back to Boston has just been immense. Seeing that pressure released and the joy on his face as he takes his place next to all the other Celtic legends is just going to be special. I can’t wait… GO CELTS!!!!!

by Stu on Jun 17, 2008 7:02 PM EDT reply actions

Yes i feel the same way Stu

I dont want the Celtics to win it for me of the other fans.. i want them to win in for THEM.. for Ray Allen, for Kevin Garnett.. and Especially for Paul Pierce

When you can mentally go beyond the joke that is NBA officiating and still take over games in a smart way you have become a truly great player. This is what Paul has done!

BEAT LA!

by 00dc2 on Jun 17, 2008 8:06 PM EDT reply actions