I am a huge Pierce fan and think he has been and probably always will be an under-appreciated player. Leaving aside the development of his all-around game, he is probably the craftiest scorer we have ever seen, and can lay his claim to being an all-time Celtic great, one of the best all-time scorers in Celtics history, and a Hall of Fame player.

I also think that because of his consistency, and because his style of play will enable him to play in to his late 30’s and still be an effective player, he is already likely to pass Bird on the scoring list but conceivably could pass Hondo as well. The Nets game the other night was a perfect example – virtually none of his points were the result of out-jumping/quicking anyone – that mid-range jumper will not get old and he’ll only get more clever on the post. Pierce basically plays below the rim, is so clever, and has become such a great jump-shooter, that he could play longer than we think. And by all accounts he loves to play so he just might have the desire.

But even saying all that, as much as I love Pierce, Larry is the best scorer in Celtics history. Pierce is arguably a little more dynamic in the sense that he gets to the line so much and is a better perimeter player. But Larry shot it at a higher percentage, better FT shooter, and has 3 seasons at a higher avg than Pierce’s career high. And the “Bird played with better players argument” actually works against Pierce here – Pierce scored more on bad teams b/c he had to, he naturally scores less with better teammates. Larry fortunately never had bad teammates – but he was a great scorer on all-time teams (what would he have averaged on the 05-06 Celts – 35? more?). I mean the guy would go out and score on people with his left hand. There is no doubt that he could’ve scored more, and if he ever was on a bad team, he may have done some riduculous things scoring-wise (like Kobe on his bad teams). On the other hand, team scoring was up in the 80’s so Pierce probably has a couple 28/30 seasons then, but still, Bird scored 30/night in ’88 with McHale scoring 22+ a night, not to mention Chief, Ainge and DJ.

While we’re at it, how about these seasons:
1987: 28.1, 9.2, 7.6, 52% FG/40% 3pt/91% FT
1988: 29.9, 9.3, 6.1, 52/41/91
His 4 seasons from ’85-88 are ridiculous.

Would Pierce have had a more illustrious career if he played his entire career with the players Bird did, of course. But Larry Bird was amazing, and I don’t think its a knock on Pierce to say he has to play second fiddle in Celtics lore.

Bird retired early, and he was besetted with injuries late in his career, Paul won’t head to the twilight of his career til he’s about 34 which is 3 yrs away so there is achance Paul will eventually overtake Bird, or maybe even Hondo if Paul stays injury free.