Paul Pierce shoots at the buzzer and misses, once again ...

I have no longer confidence in Paul Pierce when he takes the last shot.

He either gets stripped or the ball clangs off the rim.

I hold my breath watching Pierce penetrate now.

but it wasn’t too far off. Pierce rimmed it out – it happens! I don’t think its fair to blame Pierce for that shot. He would simply have been trying to execute the play Doc called. When no-one else was open off the KG screen, he realised he needed to take the shot. It was a decent look for Pierce, so I’m okay with it.

I admit I was hoping they might run that play they have had success with before though – where Pierce gets it at the top of the key, but then hits Ray across court around the 45 for the three. They won a game against he Bobcats that way and beat another team too.

I think that the Celtics play their best offensive ball when Rondo drives to the hoop and makes a decision. Rondo is without a doubt the best decision-maker with the ball in his hands on the team.

Yes, Pierce is the captain and that isolation has been fine with me when the Celtics had no better option to go to. But I think that now, in 2010, that Rondo has evolved enough as to where he should be in control of the game as it wanes to an end. Whether it is him penetrating and kicking to an open man or taking it himself and drawing contact or a signature “Rondo floater,” I think the probability of making the shot has a better chance than a Pierce isolation.

All teams expect us to isolate Pierce and they know that either Pierce is going to take the game upon himself to win or feed Ray for a 3. It would be nice to see a little switch and give Rondo (our future) an opportunity to seize the game.

Again, I believe that the Pierce isolation USED to be the best go-to play WHEN it was our best option, but I think Rondo’s leadership on the floor, deception, and fantastic decision-making ability has finally surpassed the Pierce isolation regarding efficiency.

KOBE hits his 6th game winner of the season with under 10 seconds on the clock

…for the Bucks game: “Anybody except Paul (and Perk.)”

When someone is having a bad night and is cold as ice, why the hell do you give them the last shot. I don’t think it was Pierce trying to be a hero; I just think that is the play Doc drew up. KG or Ray should have had the ball. Either that or make another play to Rondo. Paul and Nate should have been setting screens because Nate wasn’t shooting well either. Its not that Paul has lost his touch, its just everyone has a bad night once in a while. I mean would anyone want to see KG take the last shot against the Wizards? Of course not, but it would have been really nice to see him shoot it last night. Poor, poor play.

…in going to Paul a lot at this time, when he’s ice cold. This regular season, right now, is all about preparing for the games that count, the playoffs. They cannot win then if Paul is still shooting like this. So it’s better to give Paul lots of shots now, and let him miss what he has to miss, so long as he FINALLY breaks out of this ridiculous slump he’s in, in time for the playoffs.

And there’s a good chance Paul WILL break out, because his overall physical condition looks excellent. He played with LOTS of energy and mobility. So it’s just a matter of getting his shooting touch back… which should happen soon.

But… I would still argue with Paul getting that last shot. Too risky. First, because the game in on the line with that one shot, so don’t risk the whole game to give Paul ONE more practice shot. Second, if he misses it (which was very likely at that point), it puts him back even further, by draining his confidence. So that was a bad call, regardless.