Pierce All Business Against LeBron and Cavs

by Greg Payne on Oct 21, 2009 9:52 PM EDT in Boston Celtics Games

Before Shelden Williams shoved Mo Williams to the floor following the halftime buzzer in Wednesday's preseason finale against the Cleveland Cavaliers, an unspoken tension hung in the air between the two teams. It might stem from both arguably being the Eastern Conference's top two teams or it might be because they kick off the NBA season on Tuesday. Either way, this hardly seemed like any other preseason game.

That thought was compounded by Paul Pierce electing to participate in the action. It was reported in the days prior that Doc Rivers would be sitting his stars (Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen actually followed Doc's orders), but Pierce, being the player he is, clearly wanted a shot at James and the Cavs.

So, while an unspoken tension bubbled between the two squads, an equally powerful rigidity enveloped Pierce and James throughout the entire first quarter. Paul was clearly locked in on Wednesday, as evidenced by the meticulous scowl that he wore on his face throughout the period. There were no smiles or pre-game laughs or that sense of looseness that comes with preseason. This was all business.

Pierce's demeanor Wednesday could not have been more different from what we saw the night before in New York. He was smiling, coasting somewhat and laughing in disbelief at some of the calls the officials were making. Against the Cavaliers there was no sympathy for a bad call, but rather a distinct sense of frustration and disappointment, as if not receiving that call took away a chance for Pierce to best James.

While the battle between the two teams will be all that shows up in the box score, the private war Pierce and James were engaged in was difficult to ignore. They bumped each other, prodded each other and fouled each other. They seemed to be trying to match each other shot for shot. Pierce would shoot a three and then LeBron would launch one from deep. LeBron would throw up a mid range fade away and Pierce would do the same on his end. They of course guarded each other, which only bolstered the sense of competition between the two of them.

By the end of the quarter, Pierce had taken six shots and James had taken six shots. Pierce made four of his, while LeBron hit just two. Pierce finished with 11 points and James ended the frame with seven (he knocked down three free throws as well). While the numbers don't mean all that much, that sense of wanting to show up the other (in preseason nonetheless) surely does. And what can we ultimately take from this first quarter display of NBA macho-ism? That when these two teams meet for real four times this season, they surely will not be events to be taken lightly.

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I like Hudson’s game.

by jurrasicearl on Oct 21, 2009 9:47 PM EDT reply actions

Shaq = automatic suspension?

I read in the following article that Shaq left the bench during a skirmish. Doesn’t that imply an automatic supsension for the opener?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2009102105

by libermaniac on Oct 21, 2009 10:04 PM EDT reply actions

shaq

i really hope it doesnt mean an automatic suspension. usually i would be laughing and hoping it did but i would rather play the cavs at full strength on opening night so they dont have any annoying excuses

by chilli on Oct 21, 2009 10:21 PM EDT reply actions

definitely agree with you

by aeternus on Oct 22, 2009 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions

I was really impressed with our play tonight. everyone played well

by Red2 on Oct 21, 2009 10:34 PM EDT reply actions

LBJ can have all the super hyped blocks in the world, as long as we get the W in the end.

by thatswhatshesaid23 on Oct 21, 2009 10:50 PM EDT reply actions

The truth

There’s a reason Shaq gave Pierce that name! He definitely went toe to toe with LBJ and stopped him from being the king like he was against the Mavs yesterday. If hecan bring it like that in the opener, and the rest of the team, including KG, does too, I like our chances! But they’ll have to bring their A-game with confidence and concentration to win in the pound. I love this team! Go Cs!

by Daveonthecape on Oct 21, 2009 11:33 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Pierce was not scheduled to play, but he talked Doc into letting him play. KG tried to do the same, but it didn't work

by aeternus on Oct 22, 2009 12:12 AM EDT reply actions

Thanks

Gracias for posting this, Greg. I have to admit that despite my happiness with the C’s signings this offseason and despite my admiration for the group of guys we already had, I’ve found it hard to get excited about the start of the new season. Last year left such a bitter taste in mouth — the horrible injuries, the loss to the Magic, the Lakers’ multi-asterisked championship — that it’s been hard to fall in love with this team, for fear of being burned and hurt again. But this post, specifically because of how you relate my hero Pierce’s attitude and desire — my gift, my curse — makes me so freaking excited I could pee myself. Go Celtics!

by Ersatz on Oct 22, 2009 12:19 AM EDT reply actions

Game 7, Eastern Conference Semi-Finals 2008…
Paul remembers….
So does Lebron… =)

"I'll be what I wanna do."
Phillip J.Fry

by aint it the truth on Oct 22, 2009 12:31 AM EDT reply actions

Is it just me, or is the best the team looked all preseason, without Ray and KG? interesting…. i absolutely love rondo playing with the 2nd unit…is it just me or is eddie house and marquis both playing better then Ray Allen?
is it just me or did cleveland look pretty terrible and like there chemistry is nowhere near the level it was last season?

by latin on Oct 22, 2009 8:23 AM EDT reply actions

by the way (kelly dwyer) Pierce yet again showed he loves playing against lebron, he relishes it, and can stand toe-to-toe mano-a-mano with the guy …was it the most uninformed comment ever to say “Pierce cant handle lebron”
…who handles him better in the NBA?

by latin on Oct 22, 2009 8:25 AM EDT reply actions

Nick 2nd unit win

I’m liking Marquis more and more. He’s the slasher the 2nd unit never had. Last year if the jumpers weren’t falling they depended on Baby to score on the block. This season the bench has a solid inside/outside game.

by LuckyNumber07 on Oct 22, 2009 10:20 AM EDT reply actions

Bragging rights

Even though this is a Preseason game, it may not count in the win/loss but it will count in the psychological war

This sets a tone

by Staubach on Oct 22, 2009 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

I was there

I am an student at Ohio State and a Lifelong Celtics fan! My friend and I were greatly outnumbered last night but on top of a sore throat last night and yelling/cheering I now have no voice lol …. How do you post pictures on this site? I could post a few

by shawn45804 on Oct 22, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

Some video of shoot around

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgmiJMUGf-o

by shawn45804 on Oct 22, 2009 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

Not Overly Impressed With The Cavs

I know it’s pre-season, but they didn’t impress me. Shaq got the best of Perk early on (with a little help from our friends), but later on Perk forced Shaq into his discomfort zone and he didn’t do much from there on. This is the way it’s always been between the two. Ilgauskas looked totally indifferent and Arrajao seems to play his game for awhile and then disappears. He sure has improved his shooting.

What really impresses me about the Celtics and not this game in particular is that when the subs come in they are immediately productive. Takes them no time to get into the flow. Don’t think Sheed is shooting well, but he’s taking the right shots and is playing well in general. Marquis continues to impress the heck out of me. Please extend his contract today. (Rondo too). Rondo is playing good, smart ball and making great decisions. Very few mistakes.

"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn

by TrueGreen on Oct 22, 2009 10:01 PM EDT reply actions